By: Jack R
If you’re anything like me, you grew up reading People and Us Magazine. The section “Stars, they’re just like us!” always resonated with me. I wanted to see which stars were just like me! The photos regarded the celebrities grabbing Starbucks, walking their dog, or pumping gas. Although these are not necessarily the most thrilling shots, I enjoyed feeling similar to the people I idolized.
Being a part of the Forget Fast Fashion campaign, I have learned more than I anticipated. In class, we are learning about the dos and don’ts of social media. As a campaign, we are learning how to tie this back to the importance of sustainability, ethical consumption, and a push towards shopping secondhand.
The materials that are harmful to the environment, the working conditions of fast fashion factories, and the trendiness of thrift shopping are all major factors that continue to inspire our campaign Seeing many renowned individuals deal with companies that practice unethical business models such as PrettyLittleThing, Oh Polly, and Kourtney Kardashian’s Boohoo just feels like a kick to the chest after a kick to the chest. Some examples of these celebrities are influencers from Love Island season 8 such as Gemma Owen and Ekin Su Cülcüloğlu, who are very popular in the UK as well as the US.
With all this said, I am determined to focus on some good news! Although we see so many influencers and celebrities promoting fast fashion, there are tons of celebrities that thrift, shop consignment, vintage, and openly use apps such as depop.
The most obvious name regarding thrifting would have to be Macklemore. His 2012 smash hit “Thrift Shop”, is a fun story about how he loves to thrift in his free time and the joys that come with thrifting. Macklemore raps, “And saving my money and I’m hella happy, that’s a bargain/I’ma take your grandpa’s style, I’ma take your grandpa’s style/No, for real, ask your grandpa, can I have his hand-me-downs?” Well said, Mr. Seattle! This is a fun example of how a popular celebrity uses the idea of shopping secondhand to promote their creativity and hopefully inspire others to do the same!
Zooey Deschanel, the famous actress most well known for her role in ‘New Girl, has explained in interviews that, before she had money, she would find deals at vintage stores across LA to elevate her style. Are we even surprised that the woman who plays Jessica Day is good at thrifting? Not even a little! Once again, Zoey is a prime example of a celebrity embodying what it means to shop secondhand and expressing that through her acting and personal style.
Having a largely successful movie in the mid-90s where your character practically prides herself on her large and eclectic wardrobe, Alecia Silverstone has chatted about her love for thrift shopping and shopping secondhand in general. She has explained that she is “concerned with the rate our environment has to try and absorb all our junk, including clothing items that are in pretty good shape.” Her Instagram is full of inspiration for finding the ideal vintage threads.
Kylie Minogue is also known for loving unique finds, having been spotted at charity shops and vintage stores all over Melbourne. In 2009, she was sniped by a paparazzo shopping at a Salvation Army.
Drew Barrymore is very open about how much she loves a steal! Once wearing a $25 dress to a red carpet, she has also posted on her Instagram while on her thrift journeys.
Not so surprisingly, Lorde has talked about her love for thrift shopping and finding a deal. She was quoted saying “I got this navy blue vintage [St. John] suit with gold buttons. It fits me perfectly. I wear it onstage all the time. It’s my favourite, and I didn’t even need to get it tailored. It’s my best find by far, and it was $50, which is more than I like to spend at a thrift store.” Well said, Ella!
With all that said, the stars are just like us! Who in their right mind doesn’t love a great deal?
Edited by: Iylah M