How Kathryn Kellogg Is Inspiring Others To Live An Eco-Friendly Lifestyle
What sparked your interest in eco-friendly fashion and living sustainably?
This is kind of a two part question, but I started living more sustainably on accident. I made over these changes for personal health reasons as well as to save money. Shopping second hand is always great if your budget conscious, but what really sealed the deal on avoiding fast fashion was watching the documentary, The True Cost.
That documentary absolutely wrecked me. So many of the people who make our clothing are not paid a fair living wage and they do not have healthy or safe working environments. When I learned more about what most garment workers endure I knew it was an industry I didn’t want to support.
What does zero-waste/eco-friendly living mean to you?
Living an eco-friendly life it’s about using your actions to demand change in the market. That’s why living sustainably isn’t about being perfect it’s just about having proof and social leverage that we want companies to change and we went policy to back it up.
71% of all greenhouse gas emissions come from just 100 companies. It’s imperative that they change, and we need to ensure that we’re pushing for it by voting, contacting our legislators regularly, petitioning, sending emails, and working with organizations. We need to create resilient communities where everyone can thrive.
Who are a few women that inspire you?
It’s cliché, But my grandmother was the most influential person in my life. She was a single mother, and a badass businesswoman. She started her own catering company in the 1960s and crushed it. I really admire all of the obstacles she had to overcome to succeed. Eventually she opened up her own bar and pool joint. In the aughts, she gave it all up to work for a local charitable organization. Arkansas, where I’m from, is the fourth highest in the U.S for childhood hunger. She drove a truck around the state delivering food to schools because ‘a hungry child can’t learn!’ One time on the road, she broke both of her legs, and finished her route before driving herself to the hospital. I told you she was a badass!
I would describe her as tenacious, committed, passionate, mission-minded and driven, and I hope to embody all of those traits as I build my business. Unfortunately, she passed while I was writing my first book, but she will always be my biggest inspiration.
Do you have any tips on how to dress more sustainably for beginners?
1. Shop your own closet first. Experiment with new ways to where the clothing that you already have.
2. Figure out your personal style, And dress for the person you are. Where do you go? What do you do? How often do you do those things and what type of clothing would best benefit the actions and activities you actively participate in?
3. Once you have figured that out, where are the gaps in your wardrobe what are you missing?
4. When it comes time to fill those gaps for trendy pieces, check the second hand and vintage market.
5. For staples, look for investment pieces are sustainably made.
I whittling down to what you actually need, what are going to wear, and what you’re going to love. You can make a lot smarter shopping decisions which will save you money in the long run and you’ll have quality basics that’ll last you for years. □
Article Credits
Instagram: @going.zero.waste
Twitter: @goingzerowaste
Facebook: @goingzerowaste
TikTok: @goingzerowaste_
Pinterest: @kathrynkellogg
Youtube: Going Zero Waste
Website: goingzerowaste.com