Faye De Lanty Ecofriendly Fashion Interview

Promoting Ecofriendly Fashion on Instagram

Consumers are continuing to become environmentally conscious, looking for ways to reduce their footprint. Not only are we considering how our purchasing habits are impacting the planet, but we're also thinking about how the brands we use are giving back. With over 1 billion people using Instagram globally, Instagram and other online tools present an opportunity for likeminded people to share common passions, shedding a light on various social and environmental issues.

If you're into fashion, you would know the harsh impact it has on our environment and with World Environment Day coming up on the 5th of June, it's a great opportunity to move away from fast fashion and find more ways to shop in a sustainable way.

Interview with Faye De Lanty

Faye is an environmentalist and thrift shop stylist, using her Instagram platform to advocate for sustainable fashion. Faye has launched he own business, Fashion Hound showcasing her eco styling work and encouraging others to join the eco fashion movement.

Question: What originally inspired you to use Instagram to advocate for sustainable fashion?

Faye De Lanty: I am such a visual creature and I instantly connected to the concept of telling your story through pictures.


Question: When did you initially become interested in sustainable fashion?

Faye De Lanty: I have always been surrounded by it… with both my parents being lovers of vintage, antiques and second hand. Customising and DIY was forever a thing in our family.

My first job in the media was as a presenter on an environmental kids show called 'Totally Wild' but my past time turned into practicality when I was living overseas.

In London and NYC over a two year period and on a very tight travelling budget, thrift shopping was genuinely all I could afford. So I began to craft an unintentional 'eco chic' by challenging myself to recreate high fashion looks with second hand clothing. The more I did it the more people asked so I discovered that I had found a fantastic opportunity to be of service through style.

I never imagined it would turn into what it has, I mean my job didn't exist - I created it and to now be the eco stylist and Ambassador for Salvos Stores is legit a dream job, I feel so blessed.


Question: How can we shop in a more sustainable way, from today?

Faye De Lanty: Head into your local op shop… not only will you find a unique and on trend look but you will be voting with your fashion dollar. Voting to empower your local community, support the mission of a charity and divert textile waste from landfill.


Question: Can you tell us about Fashion Hound?

Faye De Lanty: Fashion Hound is my website, a visual online resume for my eco styling and written work. It has lots of tips, tricks and ideas on how to live in a more ecofriendly way without ever having to sacrifice style. My articles can take a thought provoking turn at times, as I've really discovered on my journey how sustainable fashion has influenced not just my wardrobe but my wellbeing and awareness too.

It is named after my beloved beagle SOHO (may she rest in peace) she was always on the hunt for the next snack and seriously that's like me with op shop fashion. She had an insatiable appetite for food; I have one for fashion with a purpose. Soho taught me all the important things in life - loyalty, kindness, unconditional love, how to hunt tirelessly for what you love and never give up... so the name made perfect sense to me.


Question: What advice do you have for an Aussie hoping to join the eco fashion movement?

Faye De Lanty: Don't try to save the world in one day, start where you are with what you have. It can be as simple as asking more questions, being curious about the fashion industry, understanding where your clothes come from and who made them.

Check out Fashion Revolution, it's an incredible resource: https://www.fashionrevolution.org/

Stop before you shop and ask yourself questions too like… Do I really need it? Will I wear it time and time again? Do I already have something like it? Can I reinvent it or wear it in a different way to make it feel new? Can I swap it, op shop it or purchase it sustainably?

Check out the 'Good on You' app, this will help you to understand the ethics of fashion brands so you are then empowered to make more mindful shopping decisions.

Also explore my instagram @fayedelanty there's lots of ideas, videos and free wisdom which will inspire you to try. I have a lovely engaged community so come and join the tribe.

Question: In what other ways do you reduce your impact on the planet?

Faye De Lanty: Reducing my impact with fashion was such a focus for me that I completely missed the concept of waste in other areas. Thankfully my friend Anita, @rocket_science, helped to wake me up with things like coffee cups, plastic bags, beauty products, food. So I really aim to do as best I can with these areas too, having a keep cup, reusable shopping bags, avoiding packaging and choosing bulk shopping as often as I can. All the little things can make a big difference.


Question: What's the main message you'd like to spread for World Environment Day?

Faye De Lanty: That individual impact is extremely powerful… a simple conversation or you being the light with your new found knowledge can create a fantastic ripple effect. Always choose kindness for people and our planet.


Question: What's a typical day like, for you?

Faye De Lanty: I don't really have one to be honest; my job is so layered and varied and can cover everything from: eco events, staff training, collaboration, social media, content creation, eco styling, emails and producing educational documents for our store staff, travel, workshops or writing/blogging.

There's no time for me to be bored! I love the creative freedom and autonomy I have.


Question: What's next for you and Fashion Hound?

Faye De Lanty: I've really been enjoying producing my IGTV videos, my followers are resonating so well with them, so definitely more of them and aiming to level up each time I do one. I'm slowly re-learning my shooting and editing skills and I'm really enjoying the challenge and incredible feedback I'm getting from my community.
Salvos and I have lots in the pipeline - more stores, more eco events, more innovation and collaboration.

I'm also working on a super exciting personal project but I can't say yet, so stay tuned!


Interview by Brooke Hunter