Retykle
Meet the Fashion Stylist Mom, Sera Murphy @thereoutfitter
January 13, 2022 Jennifer Cheung Full Article Here
CAN YOU SHARE WITH US A BIT ABOUT YOUR FASHION BACKGROUND AND HOW THIS HAS EVOLVED INTO A PHILOSOPHY ABOUT HOW TO APPROACH FASHION SUSTAINABLY THROUGH YOUR BUSINESS?
My background as a stylist is relatively new, but I previously worked in the fashion industry as a merchandise buyer specifically for global franchise locations: which meant half inventory management, half sales. My role was to make sure different companies were buying the right product, at the right amounts, at the right time. It was this concept that gave me the legs to think about our personal wardrobes from a buying perspective: treating our closets like their own little businesses or stores, making sure that we are stocked in the right amount and type of product to suit our lives. If this is achieved, sustainability is happening! You're buying less or more of what you need vs. filling your closet with things you don't wear.
WHAT ARE YOUR TOP THREE TIPS FOR SHOPPING SUSTAINABLY FOR YOURSELF (WOMEN) AND FOR TYKES (KIDS)?
For myself, I always have a list of specific pieces I need or want. Having them in notes helps so that I don't shop mindlessly. If I feel the need to consume, I go back to my list and make sure it's something that's there. For my tykes, I shop secondhand as much as possible! Despite always being able to find the right pieces for my clients, my kids are another ball game with their changing wants and needs! Shopping secondhand fuels my love for finding a great deal, and doesn't make me feel guilty if it's something they grow out of or change their mind about later.
WHAT DO YOU THINK MORE PEOPLE NEED TO KNOW, BUT VERY FEW DO, ABOUT THE FASHION INDUSTRY?
That an insane amount of work & processing for one garment - a shirt that was conceptualized and designed, produced, packed, sent to stores, put on a mannequin for sale, sold, worn, then discarded: that garment has been through so many layers of the supply chain. This is why I am very skeptical of retailers who can have a garment from inception to store in less than 7 days. It's also why I ask consumers to really consider if it's just a poor quality piece of clothing from fast fashion.
BEYOND THE SPHERE OF FASHION, HOW DO YOU INCORPORATE SUSTAINABILITY INTO YOUR DAY-TO-DAY LIFESTYLE HABITS?
I'll admit that I am a late adopter of other sustainable lifestyle choices! But I like to put that out there to encourage others to make a start and join me in the process. The things I have started are: bringing my water bottle everywhere, reusable menstrual products, reusable face-wash cotton pads, and reusing old garments as rags and buying less paper towels for cleaning.
WHEN AND WHY DID YOU START RETYKLING?
I started Retykling in 2016 when I had my firstborn, because I couldn't believe how quickly babies would outgrow clothing. Also, it gave me the opportunity to get some nicer heirloom quality pieces that I would not be able to afford full price.
See Sera's favourite picks & styles for her tykes here.