Top 5 Tips to Become a Sustainable Fashion Influencer

Are you one of those people who (before buying) always ask about clothes' material, behind the story of production, total cost, the environmental impact and things like that? Also, it irks you whenever someone around you buys their clothes from fast fashion brands, even after you reason with them never to do that. Or you find yourself sticking to your phone or laptop/ desktop or tab surfing on the internet or social media about the fashion industry and its impact on the environment and wanting to blame every possible person responsible for it. If you answer yes, to any of the things mentioned, then my friend, you are a sustainable fashion influencer without knowing it! And if these things intrigue you to become one, read further to know better.

If you are adamant about making this world a better place or at least want to improve your surroundings or educate people around you, follow these steps to make your dream come true:

Make yourself a BRAND: We all have seen that people often listen to those who have some power or authority over others. And the best way to gain that power is to make yourself a BRAND. You might be thinking, how can you do that? Well, nothing is impossible in today's world. Start making a page that represents you or your idea vividly on a popular social media platform and pour the river of your knowledge over there. One tip here, please don't preach! 

Follow other sustainable fashion influencers: Following someone from your niche will help identify what they are doing to make the world more conscious, how they are doing it, whether people are actually following what they do, or their method of persuasion etc. It might sound strange now, but following this method will provide intricate details about how you can create what you are willing to start.

Start taking appealing visuals: We all know what people see when they visit social profiles, creative visuals, duh! It does not matter whether you are an amateur. If your photos tell a compelling story, people will be more than generous to give you a thumbs up. Besides, there are a lot of editing apps available, no matter whether you use Android or iOS, that can make the dullest moment turn into dazzling visuals. Or take some inspiration from Instagram, TikTok or Pinterest, where you can see a lot of sustainable fashion influencers and their distinct approaches to teaching people about it.

Start engaging with your followers, and don't focus on the number (just yet!): Engagement with your followers is the key element of knowing people better. It will give you an idea of how your followers deal with the problem, their method of solutions, and different unidentified thoughts for your next post. Moreover, engagement with your followers will help the algorithm to reach the right audience.

Collaboration with other sustainable fashion influencers: We all know a great number of sustainable fashion influencers are out there using the same platform but have more followers than you. The reasons for their mass followers could be they have started it early, or they provide some mind-blowing content that no one could resist (not even you!). In such a case, try to reach them and ask for collaboration. You could do some fun interviews, share some stories, share your journeys, experiences with sustainable fashion brands, etc. There are an uncountable number of ideas present which you can take inspiration from. Now, all you have to do is grab a suitable idea as per your profile and give them your magical touch.

Furthermore, you must keep your searching & reading mode always ON. Be up-to-date with the news on fashion, environment, sustainability and what other brands are doing to make it better. 

Besides, it's neither new nor old to be a sustainable fashion influencer, but once you are into it, you'll love to be a part of a movement that intends to make this world a better place.

PS: The article was first published on Storygiri.com

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Paris Je T’aime (Last Part)

 A Few Months Later…

Standing in front of the replica of the Eiffel Tower, I can’t imagine how it would feel if I visited the real one back in Paris. 

Paris.

“I wonder what Alex might be doing right now.” I whispered almost to myself.

“Perhaps you can see it yourself!”

I turned around, and there he was, hands in pockets, standing in all his glory, accusing me with his eyes.

“Alex.”

“In a flesh.”

 “What are you doing here?”

“Been in the city, going back home tonight, thought to say goodbye to a “friend”. Since someone had no guts to do that.”

“That’s bitter.”

“Ohh, now I’m bitter, then what makes you, huh? Ditching me outside that damn hotel, leaving the country without even saying the fucking goodbye. If that was nice, then I’m fine being bitter!”

“I’m sorry!”

“You’re sorry?”

“I know what I did was horrible, but I was scared.”

“Scared? Scared of me? I thought we were good?”

“I don’t know, okay! I was feeling things that I had never felt before. Those four days were the happiest in my life. But then, I thought about our non-existent future. You are from France, and I’m from India. We can never be together. That thought didn’t let me sleep the whole night. So, I did what a coward like me would do. I ran away and didn’t even inform my cousin, and he’s still not talking to me. I am a mess!”

“A beautiful mess.”

“Seriously!! Do you think it’s a joke? And how the hell did you find me here?”

“Yeah..apparently, my life is a joke to you! And someone just informed me that you might be here. Looking at the fake ass Eiffel Tower? Are you fucking kidding me?”

“I didn’t get to see the real one, so why not? Besides, it’s not that bad.”

“Yeah, whatever floats your boat.”

“Alex.”

“Hmmm.”

“Why are you here?”

“Are you that gullible? You want to fucking know it, fine! I am here because of you. The day we were supposed to visit Eiffel Tower, I waited for you at the cafe for two hours!! I had no contact information about you. I thought something might happen to you that’s why you were not there, you mentioned your hotel details, I went there. I ran like a maniac that day, forgetting that I had a car with me. And there they informed me that you fucking left!

I was so pissed at you Priyanka. You didn’t value me or our “friendship”. Maybe we’d met in a strange place, but didn’t you feel the imperceptible bond that we share; didn’t you feel the sparkle when I touch you or hold you. I LOVE YOU! Didn’t you feel anything at all?”

I was shocked.

“I-I-I.”

“It’s okay. You don’t have to say anything. I get that. Do you want to come to the airport to see me off? I have a flight to catch at 11 PM?”

“Hmmm…sure. Would you like to eat something? I know a restaurant that serves amazing momos. You’ll love it.”

“Momos?”

“Something that looks like dumplings?”

“I know what momos are. I want real food in my system. I am famished. But if spending time with you means eating that, I will do that with honour.” 

Till 10:30 PM, we talked about everything and nothing. It never occurred to me that I met Alex a few months ago. It felt like I had known him my entire life. 

“Stop doing that.”

“What?”

“That thinking shit, last time you did, the next day you ran away.”

“But this time, it’s you who is running away.”

“I’m not running away, for your kind information. I’m here to say a proper goodbye that you never did.”

And then, there was an awkward silence between us. We wanted to say a lot of things but couldn’t. While reaching the airport, my heart was beating frantically. I could hear my heartbeats. Perhaps Alex did too. So, that’s it? Would I never get to meet him again, or it’s the end of us? I had no idea I was crying until he wiped my tears.

“Are you crying, or is it something in your eye?”

“What?”

“I don’t know. That’s what people usually say when they cry.”

“I am sorry.”

“For what?”

“For leaving Paris without saying goodbye.”

“Come here.”

His hug felt like a lifeline. It’s like I was at home. At peace. 

I didn’t want to leave this place. I was not ready to leave him. I wasn’t ready to let him go and repeat the same mistake again. 

“I love you, Alex.”

“What did you say?”

“I love you. I don’t want to end things between us. The feelings I have for you, I never felt like this before. But, at the same time, I don’t know what our future beholds. We live in a different world, have different cultures, with different backgrounds. I don’t want to lose you. And I am scared.”

“There is nothing to be scared of. Let’s make things easier, hmm. What do you want me to do?”

“Stay. Maybe.”

“Then, I am staying.”

“But you have a flight to catch in 15 minutes.”

“Seriously, woman! You requested me to stay, and now you are worried about my flight? Well, let’s just forget about my flight and focus on us. It’s the easiest way to figure out what life has planned for us. Is that good?”

“Mhmm…thank you.”

“You’re most welcome, mon amour.“

That night, I realised how destiny played its trick on humans. It first made us fall in love with the wrong person, broke our hearts in the worst way possible, only to make us meet someone so special, that we couldn’t believe it. 

How can broken people deserve happiness when all they see is darkness around them? Conceivably that’s the vicious game fate loves to play with us.

As Ed Sheeran says, “Maybe we found love right where we are.”

This story originally published on Storygiri

Paris Je T’aime – Part 2

“I’m-I’m sorry, I didn’t see you.”

“Yeah, seem like it. Kya ye seat khaala hai?“

“Sorry, what?”

“I meant, is this seat vacant, or do you have company? Did I say something wrong? I kind of, umm, learning Hindi at the moment.”

 

His thick French accent was apparent when he talked. I’d never seen a full-grown man blushing like a teenager. It’s cute. 

“It’s “khaali” not “khaala”.”

“What?”

“The seat. You were saying, “Kya ye seat khaala hai?” It’s “khaali-vacant”, not khaala.”

“Sorry about that!”

“No problem, the seat is vacant.”

He sat next to me! I was shouting internally, wondering why was a French man sitting next to me?

“I hope you won’t mind me sitting here? You know, I’ve been watching you from the corner of the street. You seemed lost in thought. I couldn’t stop myself from coming here.”

“Yeah, I kind of.”

And then, it was an awkward silence. 

“I’m Alex, by the way. What’s your name?”

“Ohh, I’m Priyanka.”

“Priyanka? As in Priyanka Chopra?”

“Hahaha, you know there are a lot of Priyanka with different surnames around the world, right?”

“Yup just wanted to hear you laugh.”

“Guess it worked.”

“It is. So, why a beautiful girl like you sitting here all alone? Don’t you have company? Friend, partner? I’m sorry if I’m intruding.”

“No, it’s okay. I came here all alone. Trying to get a break from life.”

“You know, you can tell me what you’re dealing with. We’re practically strangers who know nothing about each other. Besides, maybe I could help. It’s a win-win.”

The way he uttered those words, the glint in his eyes while speaking, and his desire to know more about me like I was an unresolved mystery. It’s all apparent in his eyes. Can someone be this easy to read? 

So, I described to him my story, how I was dealing with my heartbreak and how I ended up in Paris.

“That guy seemed like a douchebag to me. I’m glad he left you.”

He whispered the last part almost to himself.

“What did you say?”

“Nothing! Since Paris has always been on your bucket list, do you have any place or places in mind?”

“It might sound stupid, but I only wanted to visit Eiffel Tower and then some museums, drink hot chocolate, eat macarons, and return home.”

“Seriously? You sound so boring! I’m sorry, I didn’t mean it that way. Have you visited Eiffel Tower yet?”

“No. I’m kind of plucking up the courage to visit there. It’s not that easy.”

“Ohh…if you don’t mind, I can go with you. You won’t be feeling alone plus, I am a local and can take you to a lot of hidden gems around here. Only if it’s okay with you, I can understand if you don’t want me to come with you.”

Sitting there, in front of a stranger, I was contemplating whether to say yes or not. My cousin lived here, but he had no time from his job to take me sightseeing. Since my French was non-existent, it was challenging to travel around. I had no idea why I never learnt French when I always wanted to visit here? I wanted to bang my head so hard that I could lose my memory. God!!! Why is everything so hard? 

Besides, I might never get the opportunity to visit Paris again, so why not enjoy the stay.

“So, will you come with me, Priyanka?”

“Yes! I can use your company since my cousin bailed out on me.”

“That’s the spirit! Are you interested in visiting the Eiffel Tower or the hidden gems?”

“Hidden gems, perhaps?”

“Oui, madame.”

That’s how Alex made my four days in Paris extraordinary.  

I came to Paris for a week and wasted the first day crying in my room. The cafe was nearby my hotel room where I met Alex. I was hesitant to trust him. No matter how truthful his eyes were, he was still a stranger. But his manners, his weird ways of expressing himself, compelled me to throw out all my doubts. I felt safe when I was around him. 

Keeping his promise, he showed me numerous gems that perhaps I wouldn’t find on my own. 

During these four days, I felt a foreign feeling bubbling inside me. I couldn’t interpret it in words. In this short span, Alex became my secure haven. Perhaps he noticed that too. Surprisingly, I never felt this connection with Amit. 

Was I in love with Alex? But wasn’t it too soon? 

But even if it’s love, what’s the point of pursuing it? It’s like tasting forbidden fruit. 

These thoughts made me reckless. I shouldn’t have said yes to Alex’s offer in the first place. But it’s good that I didn’t share my number or social media details with him. I couldn’t lead him to a tunnel with no way out. 

A day before my departure, I packed my stuff and left, not even telling my cousin about it. It’s rash, but that’s the only option I had in my mind. 

The worst thing that happened in all the chaos was I couldn’t get to see Eiffel Tower!

To be continued...

This story originally published on Storygiri