Text & photography by Cherie Birkner

Blogger have become the leading figures in fashion, and are known for wearing a different outfit in every photo, creating the illusion of a happiness through materialism and promoting fast consumption of fashion. This is why it is more relevant than ever for us to use our online voices to educate about the downsides of fashion and highlight sustainable solutions for our wardrobes.

BLOGGER ZONE

Agnes Friedrich, Kim Gerlach, Thekla Wilkening

This season the hosts of NEONYT’s PreePeek welcomed many new bloggers into their format. How PrePeek works? Bloggers have a selection of sustainable pieces to choose from, and create their own sustainable outfit combinations to shoot with professional photographers. The content is then available for brands and bloggers to use for their social media, and blog posts. #WINWIN.

The PrePeek format also includes many panel discussions and talks all around the sustainable fashion community and relevant topics. This year I had the pleasure to take part in a panel sponsored by Collabary where we discussed the importance of sustainable fashion and how we can use our digital media voices to make a difference. Kim/Kim Goes Eco, our moderator reminded us that weather you have 30 or 3 million followers you have an influence and a responsibility with what you share on social media. On that note we were also quite happy to hear that the reach of our panel and the guests in to room summed up to 3.4 million! Sophie van Daniels, a straight up fashion blogger, spoke about how she incorporates sustainable behaviour into her wardrobe, by aiming towards a minimalistic style, repairing her clothes and also swoping clothes with friends. On that note, let’s be honest: if you can elongate the life of something you or a friend already have, that is always more sustainable than buying a new piece from a sustainable brand. Holly Rose/Leotie Lovely who works exclusively with ethical and sustainable companies impressed us with her extensive knowledge about the textile industry.

AFTER THE PANEL THESE BLOGGERS MADE A PLEDGE FOR 2019:

MARIE ANN / PEACH BEACH

“I would like to pledge that for the next year I will write at least once a month about the positive effects that sustainable fashion and sustainable consumption can have on our mental health. As many girls (and boys) these days struggle with mental health issues for many years from eating disorders over depressions to social anxiety we often forget to focus on being the best version of ourselves and actually doing what makes us happy. Trying to meet social expectations often triggered by our external environments, the increasing prominence of social media and other online media can often result in falls expectation towards ourselves and others. Self-reflection and self-care play a vital part in sustainable consumption as well as mental health. I invite all do you to come along to explore the interrelation of these topics with me. The more we talk about mental health the more we will realise we are not alone”.

If you want to share your own story with Marie send over an email to marieannshrmn@gmail.com. She will be happy to hear from you.

Blog: www.peachbeachofficial.com | Ig: marieshrmn

KIM / HIGHINHIGHSCHOOL

"In 2019, I will showcase only vintage or sustainably made outfits on my Instagram; giving my followers alternatives to the fast fashion industry."

Ig: highinhighschool

SOPHIE / MISS SOPHIE

“I pledge to promote diversity and inclusion in ethical fashion with my YouTube channel and blog by sharing a weekly thrifted look and vlog on how to live a more sustainable and ethical lifestyle. I want to empower and give a voice for sustainability to more women of ethnic origins, sizes and backgrounds to join the movement of fashion for good. So that’s 46 looks, blogs and vlogs.

After NEONYT and being at the PrePeek Collabory event I realised that this is the perfect time to start a blog and youtube chanel. I am now excited to be going live with the two on Valentine’s Day! Because why not use a day focused on love to begin a new love with sustainable fashion.

Hearing Cherie speak about the importance of what we put on our skin I also pledge to only use organic and vegan ingredients for my beauty brand and to host at least free six workshops for local charities in 2019."

Blog: www.idostuffs.co.uk Ig: themisssophie

FASHION CHANGERS

What were the Fashion Changers up to? After their successful platform launch the beginning of January it was time to party! The three founders, Vreni Jäckle, Nina Lorenzen and Jana Braumüller, threw a big launch party, leading by example and showing what a sustainable fashion party can look like. From their #noplastic organic goodiebag filled with non-plastic solutions like glass straws all the way to a free ride home with Clever Shuttle.

Some familiar bloggers spotted at the party: