THE INTERVIEW
CARESTE: DESCRIBE YOUR IDEAL SPRING ENSEMBLE...
NICKY DEAM: It’s a little preppy, a little fun: high-waisted, belted khaki shorts with a tee (striped or checked) and a flatform!
CARESTE: TELL US WHAT INTERESTS YOU ABOUT SUSTAINABILITY IN FASHION?
NICKY DEAM: I think the most interesting and thoughtful designs are a result of reacting to a challenge, and sustainability provides challenges at every stage, from fabric sourcing to distribution. Watching creativity work within new and shifting parameters is an exciting new frontier for the industry as a whole. The advances in fabrics probably fascinate me the most because the level of scientific understanding and ingenuity involved is staggering. Leathers made from pineapple, yarns developed from upcycled ocean plastic—it's all pretty cool.
CARESTE: WHAT DOES SUSTAINABILITY MEAN TO YOU?
NICKY DEAM: Being mindful about what I consume and looking after what I have. Can I darn that sweater instead of replacing it? Am I swapping clothing or thoughtfully upcycling it instead of just dumping it at a donation site? Recognizing the items that make up my uniform and only adding pieces that enhance it, rather than jumping on every passing fad, is something I'm constantly striving towards. There will always be a need for that joyful piece, but can it be more timeless so it can be reworn season after season, or can it be rented or shared? Finding sustainable ways to be sustainable, taking small but efficient steps in that direction, makes it feel more attainable and less daunting.
CARESTE: DESCRIBE YOUR PERFECT FALL CAPSULE COLLECTION - BUT MAKE IT SUSTAINABLE.
NICKY DEAM: A great pair of trousers that can be worn with flats, heels, sweaters and polished tops, like the Piper pant. A versatile dress that can be paired under a jacket for work or worn for evening, either with slides or a boot (Evie dress), and a sleek top that is as effortless as a tee but looks a bit more elegant (Eva top). They're all items that blend with my existing closet and will provide a great canvas for accessorizing.
CARESTE: WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE FOR SOMEONE TRYING TO IMPLEMENT SUSTAINABILITY INTO THEIR WARDROBE?
NICKY DEAM: Be real about what you wear most. I spent a lot of my youth chasing different identities through my clothing, and once I found my uniform it became way easier to consume less and feel satisfied and confident in what I owned. The pandemic kind of crystallized that for me, as I think it did for a lot of people. Also sharing clothes with friends, there's always joy in seeing a friend styling something with their own spin, and you know the piece is getting out in the world rather than sitting in the back of your closet.
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