INTERVIEW #168 ERIN JAY

Name: Erin Jay 

Occupation: Digital Content Creator & Marketing Manager

Based in: Vancouver, BC, Canada

Instagram: @lifew.erin 

TikTok: @lifew.erin

Hi, welcome to A Sustainable Closet, can you please introduce yourself?

I'm Erin, a Vancouver-based digital creator who's passionate about sustainable and intentional living, responsible consumption and living a balanced, healthy lifestyle. Full-time, I work in marketing in the sustainable fashion space and that closely bridges what I share online on my social platforms, Life with Erin (@lifew.erin). 

When did you get interested in clothes and fashion?

Growing up, I've always been interested in fashion, particularly because my mom worked in the industry. Despite not considering myself extroverted, clothing provided me with opportunities to showcase my personality and style. My interest in fashion flourished during university when I gained more financial independence and could purchase the pieces I wanted.

When did you get into sustainability and why?

My passion for sustainability emerged around the same time I adopted a plant-based lifestyle. This shift occurred after educating myself about the environmental impacts of both the fashion and food industries. Today, I strive to live a perfectly imperfect, sustainably-focused lifestyle. I take steps to minimize my waste and make conscious consumption choices. There are numerous simple, earth-friendly swaps one can make, and I hope to continue inspiring my online community to do the same.

What are your best tips for successful second-hand shopping?

I encourage everyone to come prepared with a plan before shopping. I maintain a 'thrift list' wishlist in the notes tab on my phone for items I have my eye on and prioritize those when thrifting. It's easy to get distracted by deals while shopping and forget you may already have something similar in your closet. Being intentional with your purchases has helped me focus on acquiring pieces I truly want. 

In addition to shopping at thrift stores, I love utilizing secondhand marketplaces like Poshmark and Facebook Marketplace. Searching specific keywords on these platforms often leads to discovering items at highly discounted prices. This was especially helpful when my fiancé and I were moving into our first apartment together. We found inspiration by shopping in person at stores and sourced the majority of our home decor pieces secondhand. Not only are these platforms great for shopping, but I use them to sell things that no longer suit me, extending their lifespan (and allowing me to make extra money too!). 

You're getting married soon, how are your thoughts on your wedding and in terms of sustainability?

Weddings have the potential to generate a significant amount of waste, there's no doubt about that. Here are three examples of how we're maintaining an eco-conscious mindset for our wedding:

1. I've purchased my wedding dress secondhand and plan to resell it after to keep the dress in circulation. 

2. We prioritize buying wedding decor secondhand and borrowing items from friends and family to avoid purchasing brand new.

3. Choosing a plated dinner service versus buffet to avoid food waste.

What do you believe needs to happen to make the fashion industry more sustainable? 

I believe that change can have an impact at all stages. As consumers, you have the power to alter your purchasing decisions, influencing large corporations on how they operate. At a corporate level, I believe brands need to invest in more sustainable practices to benefit our planet. This includes choosing better materials, reducing the environmental and social impact of production, and creating ethical working conditions.