Kasi Martin

Until recently, I’ve been cautious about calling myself an influencer and I’ve outright corrected people when they’ve ed me the title by default. Even if they don’t have an “official website” outside Instagram, it’s still a TON of effort to negotiate partnerships, write copy, and schedule and monitor engagement. And on top of that, they’re functioning in a media landscape that’s rife with trolls and flame throwing that attack when we’re most vulnerable. It’s a world I’ve denied for too long and one that I’m now validating and proud to be a part of.

More tangibly, I see it in the can’t-stop-won’t-stop growing gap between the rich and poor and our incompetence as one of the most prosperous nations in the world to share resources in an equitable way. I see it in all the ethical and intentional brands I work with in Austin, who care passionately about their garment workers, want to understand their supply chains and take the slower road to business development that requires ongoing dialogue with suppliers rather than a default order from China because it’s the cheapest option. She captures the idea of conscious consumption in this passage: “Greed subsumes love and compassion; living simply makes room for them. Jen and I hope you’ll join us on this beautiful journey of raising up ethical fashion and intentional living in Austin. Tell us, how do you feel about conscious consumption and fashion?

Yesterday I read this on someone’s IG story, “To live fully, we must learn to use things and love people, and not love things and use people. Do cultivate a life where you’re able to walk away from things the things you have, but give yourself permission to love them while they’re yours. Realizing the impact the fashion industry has on the environment, the brand has implemented a strategy to drive effective change since 2015 with initiatives ranging from shipping it’s swimwear in compostable packaging, incorporating recycled, organic and responsibly sourced fabrics and researching ways to lessen the brand’s environmental footprint. She told my pal Whitney over at Fashionista that, “Chromat has actually been using a sustainable Lycra made from discarded fishing nets since it first began producing swimwear five years ago, in addition to relying on upcycled and deadstock fabrics and working with factories that have been vetted for fair labor practices.

It’s almost funny to see some of the worst mainstream fashion offenders touting “natural,” “eco-friendly,” and “ethical” collections that represent a tiny fraction of product they produce each year. Few understand or respect the type of sustainable decision-making process that runs counter to what they’re used to: making the most product at the lowest cost. I’m encouraged by brands like Groceries Apparel, innovators like Zero Waste Daniel, and advocates like Kasi who are making big strides, pushing boundaries, and leading the conversation in new directions every day. Most importantly, let’s continue amplifying each other’s voices through collaborative efforts like this.