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Writer, Stylist, Consultant and Public Speaker Aja Barber has been raising her voice about racism, sustainability in fashion and feminism. The hard-working activist has also recently published ‘Consumed’, her first book on modern-day fashion and its problems. Find out more in her interview with Go Inspire UK.
Go Inspire UK: How did your writing career begin? Was it a natural path that followed your work as a fashion consultant?
Aja Barber: I was not blessed with a straight forward path into writing. I was writing on social media for ten years (often for free) while working numerous jobs and eventually the topics I talk about (fashion, race, feminism) all took to the main stage. Sometimes you just have to wait for the moment.
GI: Can you tell us about your first book, Consumed?
AB: Consumed is a deep dive into understanding today's modern fashion industry and it's big problems. In Consumed I explain the history and the fashion industry's link to colonialism and in the second half we talk about us and how we participate.
GI: How do you think we as individuals can take the steps to be more sustainable regarding our fashion choices?
AB: The first thing I tell people is to slow down. We are all buying WAY too much clothing. And not wearing that which we already own and love. The second thing I tell people to do is figure out your personal style and what it is that you truly love. Notice neither of these tips involve buying new clothing. There's this misconception that participating in the sustainable fashion movement is all about buying the most expensive clothes. I want to fight that because ultimately it looks like buying less and wearing what you have.
GI: Can you tell us about your Patreon?
AB: My Patreon is a space where people who are interested in this topic can learn more daily. I discuss ethical fashion news, climate crisis (I try and host Zooms for Patreons with climate experts, in addition to giving out ethical fashion news)
GI: How do you think individuals could recognise their own privileges and help others moving forwards?
AB: Look at where you fall on the scale of things. Are you the citizen who buys 68 items of clothing a year? Maybe it's time to unpick that and find different ways to interact with the system of fashion. Start with reading Consumed :D
GI: What has been your favourite project that you have been a part of and why?
AB: I'm very proud of my book but also my capsule collection with Lora Gene.
GI: What steps do you think bosses/companies can take to promote equality within the workplace?
AB: Investigate whether or not your business has an ethnicity pay gap. Are you championing diversity in all the ways you wish to?
GI: Why is it still important to promote intersectional feminism in modern society?
AB: Oppression doesn't exist in a silo! Sometimes looking at multiple oppressions together can help to paint a better picture of what needs to be addressed and how we address it.
GI: We’d love to know more about your capsule collection with Lora Gene.
AB: Listen, you don't need new clothes. Many of us need to wear what we own. But when you DO need new clothes why not buy something ethical from a brand that champions size inclusion and treats its workers well? Starting this collaboration with Lora was about offering size-inclusive ethical clothing because many weren't doing that at the time. I wanted to create pieces that we also flexible for changing bodies. My pieces are probably the items I wear most in my wardrobe, to be honest. I love them to bits. And maybe you will too, but first, let's always wear what we have!
www.ajabarber.com
Instagram: @ajabarber
Photography by Laura Pink
Art Direction by Marina Sardanopoli
By Scarlett Mullender
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