ETHICAL & SUSTAINABLE FASHIONISTA
Welcome, I'm excited you're here!
My name is Alejandra Carrero, I was born in Louisiana and grew up in Caracas, Venezuela.Currently, I live in the city of the intellectuals with a European flavor Boston, MA. Since I was 4 years old, my love for music and the environment was undeniable. My Mom's friends thought I was a rare child, climbing trees and spending hours talking to my "fairy friends", so I guess that makes me a believer of those fantasy creatures. My passion for fashion begun thanks to my mother, who was a dressmaker and now a jewelry designer.
In 2012, I ventured into an online store called carréale. The idea was to empower low-income women who could buy trendy pieces at affordable prices. The garments were purchased in China, so I decided to travel there and meet the wholesaler partner. Unfortunately, as soon as I entered the facility my first impression was seeing children between 8 to 14 years old packing clothes underneath tables, while the exhausted workers ironed and folded clothes to put them into plastic bags. These workers did not have permission to talk to anyone, the atmosphere looked frightening. Definitely, something was NOT right! How is it that I was contributing to these unethical practices, could this be an untold story from the fashion industry? I felt betrayed, confused, and returned to Boston devastated. I knew not buying from these wholesalers would not be enough to help those children and women, and to continue with carréale was not an option either. Even though I felt my dreams were fading, I had a new motivation, to be part of an ethical and sustainable movement. So in 2013, I decided to go back to the University to study the fashion industry more closely. After several years of massive research, essays, presentations and conducting interviews, I discovered the ethical and sustainable fashion industry was not relevant in any channel. Today the problem remains to be one of the greatest disasters and threats humanity and our planet faces. From its contribution to modern slavery to being the second most polluting industry in the world while generating annual profits of three (3) trillions of dollars worldwide. Why does the damage continue to increase? Consumers like you dear reader, should have access to this type of information, learn, discover and have the opportunity to make your own decisions without anyone influencing and taking it for you!
This is how my mission began: shifting consciousness through fashion. This space was created to expand curiosity by sharing my research, opinions, information, and perspectives on how we can live in a better world. Perhaps, you could also be part of the conversation, together we can continue to build a better place for everyone who lives in it.
Thank you for reading!
XOXO
