Latinx Sustainability Influencer Spotlight: Jackie from @jackiexjac
Jackie from @jackiexjac is an Puerto Rican and Colombian influencer from New York that you should definitely follow. Fashion is a huge passion of hers and has been a large part of her life. Ever since she was young, she has wanted to be a fashion designers and used to love watching Project Runaway. It is still one of her favorite shows! Jackie uses Instagram as her main platform to share sustainable information, style inspiration, thrifting tips and issues happening in the industry. Her platform is a judgement-free place and doesn’t want anyone to feel bad about where they are in their journey with clothes nor feel like they can’t participate in the conversation because they’re at a different stage. Jackie’s goal is to just inform people, give some advice and inspire others through her content.
How did you first learn about the issues found in the fashion industry?
I first learnt about some of the issues in my freshman year of college while studying Fashion Merchandising and Management. But I really was exposed in my junior year when I got to go to China on a short study abroad program and tour some garment factories. It was shocking to me how desensitized myself and the people around me were to seeing these sweatshops and it made me realize that we don’t see this as a problem because these conditions are the industry norm. That sparked my interest in learning more about the darker side of this industry that I love so much but realized needed a huge change. Then when I saw the #PayUp campaign by Remake Our World on social media, that was when I really decided it was my time to take action.
Why do you find it important to participate in sustainable fashion?
I find it important because I am someone who genuinely loves fashion and clothing. I love how it makes me feel and I think it’s one of the best forms of self-expression. With that being said, I also want the clothes I consume and wear to represent my values as much as possible. I have the privilege to shop more sustainably and since I am able to do that, I want to use my fashion choices to make a difference. The fashion industry is one of the largest global industries in the world so we can have a lot of impact as consumers. Participating in sustainable fashion is how I choose to make an impact!
What are your tips for someone interested in consuming less fast fashion?
My number one tip is to stop being so worried about following trends and really get in touch with YOUR personal style. Too often we get wrapped up in the latest trends that fast fashion brands are telling us we need so we end up buying stuff we don’t even like and won’t wear. Really understanding what your personal taste is will not only make you feel more confident in what you’re wearing but also cut down on excessive consumption to keep up with trends.
I also suggest unsubscribing from the email list of fast fashion brands. Their job is to get you to keep consuming and buy all that stuff that you left in your cart and that will not stop. Quieting down that constant noise from these brands may even cut down how often you are visiting their sites and buying from them if they’re not constantly shoving every sale in your face.
Why has it been important for you to share your slow fashion journey online with others?
It’s important for me to share my journey because I want people to see all the ways that they can participate in sustainable fashion. I used to be consumed by fast fashion and I wish I knew even a fraction of what I know now. And I’m still learning everyday! I want to stress that this is all a journey because I’m still finding ways that I can improve everyday. No two people are going to be going about this slow fashion life in the same way. We can all help each other and learn from each other and I hope that by me documenting this then people can see what works for them or what lessons they want to take away from me.
How has being Latinx influenced your journey in fashion?
Growing up, I very much remember traveling to Colombia and being surrounded by my family and immediately taking note of how they dressed. It seemed that everyone in my family would wear quality, well made and classic pieces that they’ve held onto for years and years. I had family members who had tailors that they’ve kept in the family to rework pieces for them in order to adapt throughout the years.
I always remember getting hand-me-downs from cousins or sending them my clothing because nothing was ever thrown away. Even my mother’s wedding dress has been kept in the family and worn at least four times by other family members. All of these practices and just ways of looking at clothes as investments really inspires me now to value what I buy. I want to invest that money into pieces that my children or grandchildren can potentially wear someday and I think that seeing all that growing up from my family has been such an important part of my journey and something I’ll keep alive.
Tell us about your Etsy shop Refashioned Fits
Refashioned Fits is a collection of thrifted finds and reworked secondhand pieces that I’ve handpicked or reworked myself. I love thrifting and there have been so many times that I’ve seen an item and I say to myself “if only it had this extra thing” or “if it only it were cut in this way”, so I decided what better way to give these secondhand items new life than by using my creativity to refashion them!
The aim is to breathe new life into these items that will otherwise sit there or possibly end up in the landfill. It’s been so fun to reimagine what these items can turn into and combine all of my loves and passions into this one brand that really represents me.
What is your hope/vision for sustainable style and slow fashion in the future?
My hope is that more people will see the value in actually investing in their clothes and cultivating their personal style. I want for more people to develop relationships with their clothing items and cherish what they already own rather than consuming so constantly. I see people more willing to spend the extra money to buy something they really love that will last them years and finding more importance in shopping that way. I think the planet and people everywhere can benefit from a major slow down on production and consumption in the fashion industry.
