Image: Amber with her mother at the Women’s March after Donald Trump was elected US President.
ROLE MODEL
Some people, particularly in business, are aware of what needs to happen but are afraid to make the changes. I want to help support them. They’re afraid of being accused of greenwashing, or that because they aren’t perfect, they can’t join the conversation. That is what I like to call perfectionistic paralysis – it’s really one of the biggest hindrances – it creates an attitude that if we’re not doing something perfectly, we don’t do anything at all. No matter how small the steps are towards sustainability and responsible business practices, we must take them. And, I’m willing to have those difficult conversations.
I talk to all my fashion clients about what their business practices are and what they can do to increase their sustainability and responsibility. I often discuss how they can communicate it successfully to have a positive impact. As it is, I’m torn when I go to work because I want brands to be thoughtful and led by the progress of sustainability but I also have to support my family. It is that internal dilemma that makes it so vitally important for me to keep building awareness of sustainability in fashion. If I don’t stay in the thick of the conversation, I don’t want to go to work.