5 BIWOC Sustainability Influencers to Follow
Shapes and Feelings exists as a Winnipeg-based consignment business to help slow down fast fashion by promoting a circular economy through our pre-loved goods. We’re passionate about continuing to learn how to live as sustainably and ethically as possible, and are always seeking new resources to inspire and educate us . We invite you to learn with us too!
Black, Indigenous, and women of colour (BIWoC) continue to lead the movement towards environmental justice. While their voices are too often silenced, understanding their experiences and perspectives are essential to building a more sustainable world.
We don’t know about you, but we welcome more folks like this on our feed. In honour of International Women’s Week, we present to you our first shortlist of 5 BIWoC influencers decolonizing fashion to follow.
“I write about the fashion industry first and foremost because I think it’s the one industry where I feel that it’s truly ridiculous how big the carbon footprint is and it’s all linked to ... greed and colonization. Many of us buy too much because we’re trained to. We’ve become a society which treats our possessions like they’re disposible.”
Aja Barber is a London-based writer and fashion consultant whose work focuses on anti-racism, and intersectional feminism and environmentalism. Not only is Aja stylish as heck, her Instagram feed speaks facts about fast fashion and covers important happenings within the fashion industry.
“Hope is important to keep that momentum going. Once we realize that hate is the divide that keeps us from achieving our goal then we’ll truly unstoppable”
Elizabeth is a Chinese American and Canadian environmental activist living in Toronto. She shares important information on environmental and racial justice using digestible graphics on her Instagram feeds. Not only does she speak about intersectional environmentalism, Elizabeth also supports other like-minded individuals by offering Instagram consulting services.
“Everyday being alive is an act of resistance to this colonial hate. Your ancestors have your back. Continue to be proud of who you are because nobody can take that away from you.”
Ashley is a university student who developed the first youth council in Southern Manitoba from the ground up. She also created wecantetakeya.com, “a digital space to promote, empower, and give each other life hacks while walking in two worlds as Indigenous People”. Ashley’s Instagram feed shares truthful and honest stories with captions so beautiful, they’re practically poetry. Her posts dissect topics like decolonization, environmental equity, and mental health.
image source: The Good Trade
“Let’s use our buying power for good by supporting the brands that reflect our values and keeping the others accountable.”
Kathleen — aka Kat — is all about progress over perfection when it comes to ethical and sustainable fashion. Her colourful reels and feed are full of tips on how to live sustainably in ways that are accessible for those new to the movement.
“This is for my sisters in sustainability who are finding it hard right now to juggle all the facets of life, whilst living through a pandemic and keeping up the fight for justice and equity. Because it us who advocate for each other and elevate each other, in a system that often isn’t built for us. ”
Based in Australia, Natalie is making space for BIPOC people in the fashion industry. She shares her love for secondhand fashion through talks about fashion, feminism, and empowering womxn workers.
