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I refused a SHEIN Collab, and felt good about it

I refused a SHEIN Collab, and felt good about it

Going old-school doesn’t mean you are not cool.


In 2020, I started making my own clothes and gained more love for them. The two-year COVID-19 pandemic gave me an opportunity to bring back my old-school craft of home sewing and making something new from the old materials that I have. Not only that it provides me an avenue to keep me occupied, but also helps to broaden my skills in upcycling clothes and old textiles. 

Many years ago, I used to spend my time browsing on my phone for the latest fast fashion deals that I could grab, just to be updated with the fashion trend and also to keep up my social media image of being stylish. However, that feeling didn’t last long, and I grew the awareness that my actions are truly unsustainable. 

Not to mention that it also affects my financial situation back then.

Then I digress and learned the art of IDGAF.

Fast forward, I am now in a happier state of my life where I can enjoy fashion on my own terms, without the pressure of being dictated by others. 




I said no to the SHEIN collab offer.

Unlike many social media personalities around that will jump with joy when the famous fast fashion brand SHEIN knocks on their doors, I chose the opposite. 

I refused a SHEIN Collab, and felt good about it

Many of us know the controversial reputation of the brand, and as I am in my journey of advocating sustainable fashion thru upcycling, the possibility of working with the brand is not a sweet journey for myself, and for the principle and philosophy that I presently have.

Online shopping is truly addicting, and the feeling of having the latest piece of coveted dress is very satisfying, I get that. Been there, done that. 

However, that feeling doesn’t last long especially after sharing your own try-on haul video content and realizing that the fabric starts to deteriorate after one wash, worst the undeniable toxic smell the textile has, including the realization that in order for you to buy that dress cheaply that fits your budget, the operation and labor costs are all slashed and sacrificed, including the environmental damages it fueled

The real cost of fast fashion is truly painful to watch. 





Make your own clothes or shop secondhand!

Start learning on making your own clothes, or shop from many secondhand stores around you. 
This is another way to sustainably source your outfit and use your creative mind to mix and match your pieces that will stand out from the rest. Of course, add a huge smile to your face thinking how much money you’ve spent, and still look fabulous. 

I understand that many shoppers don’t want the anxiety feeling whenever their cool friends realized they wear secondhand clothes or something they DIY-ed. However, being shamed for that matter is definitely not cool.

And if your circle of friends belonged to that category, then I suggest that you start looking for another group because they don’t deserve you.


My recent upcycled coordinates using old textile

I refused a SHEIN Collab, and felt good about it

Whoever said patchwork is out of style is someone who just wants to sell you another dubious fast fashion brand.

I made this ensemble piece using the textile remnants from the other upcycled kimono patchwork jacket I made back in July 2022, which I removed from the original DIY patchwork dress I made in 2020 inspired by Miu Miu. It felt good utilizing these textile remnants and creating a simple piece that I actually love.  

No textile waste!

I refused a SHEIN Collab, and felt good about it


DIY crochet t-shirt yarn bucket bag

This handbag is made from old t-shirts previously owned by my stepdaughters. I cut the textile into strips and made my own t-shirt yarn, then I crocheted them into a bucket bag. I attached this gold-chained hardware that I got from the local craft store.


DIY crochet t-shirt yarn bucket bag

DIY crochet t-shirt yarn bucket bag

It turned out to be so cool and functional. This way, I managed to find another way to give life to old t-shirts.

If only we take a closer look at things, we will find a new value in them. 


I refused a SHEIN Collab, and felt good about it

Stay tuned for more upcycling fashion pieces, and let’s enjoy fashion in our own way!




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29 comments :

  1. You do you! Happy that you are happy with your decision. And I am actually with you on sometimes not riding the norm for whatever reason. Haha!

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  2. SHEIN is an all round terrible company with no regard for the planet or their workers. Good for you in helping to raise awareness of this.

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    Replies
    1. Thank you, Lisa! SHEIN is now a global brand however, no matter how cool or generous their offer is, I will stand on my principle. I don't want to be included in many lists of social media personalities that promotes fast fashion and fashion waste.

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  3. Im also an advocate for sustainable fashion and talk about it on my site a lot. Great job at saying no to things that don't resonate with your goals.

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    1. I felt good about it, and no regrets! I know my style and I can create pieces that I love while not embracing fast fashion.

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  4. Shein had been banned from India too. But yes, if you are happy with your decision then go ahead.

    xoxo
    Monidipa

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  5. Loving this outfit, it looks so cool, very comfortable and is mesmerizing! Perfect for this spring season. Thanks for sharing this with us!

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  6. That’s amazing you stood by your choices. I wasn’t aware of SHEIN previously. I think your pictures are very cool and love your style!

    Debbie

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  7. Nnnniiicccceeeeeee....I love you more for this, Blair! We need to do away with fast fashion as quickly as possible!

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  8. I have heard of Shei, but have never bought anything from them. Good to have the background so now I WON'T buy anything from them. And good for you! Too many people refuse to have integrity over ore money! I love that you are standing up for what you believe in!

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  9. Agree - you were right to refuse. It’s important that we work to live in a sustainable way and that doesn’t fit in with SHEIN and their outlook on waste

    -Mila

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  10. I had no idea that Shein had a bad reputation (I've only shopped there once)! I'll have to do some research and look for alternatives (like thrift stores and such).

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  11. I'm glad you said no. They are an awful company - they steal from designers and have sold some very antisemetic items in the past.

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    Replies
    1. I felt bad for hundreds of independent designers that was victimized by this company.

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  12. Always good to say no when you want to! I have heard most of those offers that surround their brand are scams anyways.

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    1. either scams or not, still saying NO to Shein collab in any forms is the decision that aligned to my principle.

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  13. Congrats on your decision. Shein has an unsavory reputation ranging from bad labor practices to stealing the designs of other designers.

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  14. I can see that you had good reason and nice that it didn't affect you mentally. I wish you best of luck with your journey.

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    Replies
    1. It is not about social media presence, money, or even just to be 'in style'. I can always and easily achieve those in the ways that aligned to my principle and philosophy. Besides, most of my clothes now are either I upcycled and designed or bought second-hand from many local charity shops.

      Delete
  15. I am not a fan of Shein and their practices! Good for you!

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  16. You did the right thing by refusing. Shein had been banned in India a long time back too.

    They might be cheap but ain't good. I support your cause.


    xoxo
    Monidipa

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  17. This is great to know. With your skills in upcycling clothes, I don't think you need a brand like them. I'm also not a fan of their practices.

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    Replies
    1. Although, my husband's daughter seems a fan of SHEIN (bcoz of affordability using their menial allowances), I also ended up upcycling some of those SHEIN clothes whenever the daughters are getting tired of them. They are still in a teenager phase.

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  18. Hi Blair, it's a good thing you didn't entertain the invite. I think that account or that invite is a scam. They also sometimes message content creators about having a collab with addidas and other big companies.

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    Replies
    1. Yes, I agree. Whether it is a scam or not, being tied up with this brand is against my reputation and principle (let alone branding, as marketers says). I am not easily be bribed by free try-on haul!

      Delete

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