Slow Fashion with Angela Fink

HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR STYLE?

My style is ever-changing. There's always a hand in creation. I can't just wear a top one way. I'm going to wear it in a crazy unique way where it's maybe backward, then tucked in. Maybe I'll add a belt and a blazer. There are multiple layers, and I love the idea of creating shapes, whether it's an oversized jacket or I've used some kind of rope belt.

My style starts with how I want to present myself to the world and the pieces that I choose that best describe me. I've now done that with my home, which is an extension of dressing myself.

HOW HAS YOUR STYLE EVOLVED?

When I was entering this industry, I felt like I wanted to be a little bit loud and maybe a little crazy. And over time, with fast fashion coming in, I decided I didn't want something loud and over the top. I've pivoted towards more of a capsule collection and a timeless wardrobe, but I still have my hand in certain trends.

For a season, I’ll think, I really loved the Loewe puff jacket. It's making a statement, but yet, it's going to be a staple in my wardrobe for years to come. I've become more mindful of my purchases. Long term, I ask myself a lot of questions before I make a purchase. Will I wear this? Where will I wear this? How long will I wear this?

Lately, I've become friends with The RealReal. I might want a certain bag, so I tell myself I have to sell five items to The RealReal. So whatever comes in, pieces have to go out. That's how it has to be because then it becomes too much. There's too much clutter and then it just sits there.

“I've become more mindful of my purchases. Long term, I ask myself a lot of questions before I make a purchase. Will I wear this? Where will I wear this? How long will I wear this?”

WHAT GETS YOU EXCITED ABOUT FASHION?

I love everyone's interpretation of a piece, how they wear a blazer or a belt. I love the idea of taking a piece you've had in your wardrobe four seasons ago and recreating it. It feels like a fun challenge for me.

Also, I put myself on different budgets for different seasons. I only have a certain amount to purchase a couple of items. And the rest of the time, it's me trying to push myself to be innovative. How can I take this piece that I've had for a long time and make it new?

DO YOU HAVE ANY CRITERIA WHEN PURCHASING SOMETHING NEW?

As a content creator, I do get sent a lot of pieces. But I try to find brands and reach out to them that are women-founded or have some kind of hand in sustainability or ethical trading. DeMellier is a perfect example. I did a bag collaboration with them. I’m an ambassador for No More Plastic and they gave all the proceeds to that nonprofit. I just did a partnership with Triarchy and they have a QR code you can scan so you can see where it came from. I like it to have something, but I understand that we're not all there yet.

I don't have any strict requirements and I'm very open. When I did my furniture collection, I went to the fabricator and asked if all their workers were paid above minimum wage. How many hours a day do they work? Is it a regular work week? Then I always ask if they have a hand in sustainability and, if so, is there anything that they want me to touch on? As an advocate for No More Plastic, I feel the need to ask those questions.

HOW DID YOU GET INVOLVED WITH NO MORE PLASTIC AND BECOME PASSIONATE ABOUT SUSTAINABILITY?

It started when my husband and I went to the sand dunes called Dumont. It was the most pristine and beautiful untouched sand dunes untouched. We're walking along barefoot, and I see plastic. I took a picture of it, which is an image of a red plastic cup broken up in this sea of sand. That's when I started paying attention to my travels.

We'd go to the beach and there was so much plastic and trash. And then, my daughter and I started doing beach trash pickup days. We tried to do our part. I ended up wring a caption on a post where I took all the plastic that I had gotten from my gifting and I took it out to the desert and did an editorial. In it, I'm lifting up plastic and it's beautifully shot. I get a lot of gifting and it's too much. Then I found out about No More Plastic. I reached out to the founder and I said I believe in everything that you're doing. I want to be a part of this. I want to speak about this. And that week, they signed me as an ambassador.

“...I don't like anything too comfortable because it makes me feel like I didn't try. I want a hand in comfort, but I need it to have other elements, too.”

WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR FAVORITE FABRICS AND TEXTURES? DO YOU SEEK OUT CERTAIN THINGS OR IS IT MROE ABOUT WHAT INSTANTLY SPEAKS TO YOU?

I don't specifically look for anything. I like structure. I don't like tightness, but I love contrast. I love leather. I love faux leather. Nanushka does the most beautiful faux leather. It's so soft.

I told my husband the other day I don't like anything too comfortable because it makes me feel like I didn't try. I need to wear denim and then I need to wear a blazer over it to go out. I want a hand in comfort, but I need it to have other elements, too.

PAGERIE IS ALL ABOUT QUALITY AND WHAT WE LIKE TO CALL SLOW FASHION. WHAT DOES THE IDEA OF SLOW FASHION MEAN TO YOU?

Limited drops where there are only going to be 10 units. Brands like James Street are so good about that. I believe slow fashion is not following too many trends. It's something that is timeless and can last a while. You could keep producing maybe different colorways over a slow period of time, but it's not in a rush. It's something I want to take my time with and invest in. That's what slow fashion is. Slow fashion can also feel like vintage, something that had its time and it kind of dips down, and now it's having its time again.

CONSIDERING YOUR ETHOS AROUND GETTING DRESSED, HOW DO YOUR PAGERIE PIECES FIT INTO YOUR WARDROBE?

The Pagerie Feritti scarf and The Línque necklace are staples. They are pieces that feel timeless and a must for any wardrobe. A scarf is something special that you cherish and a piece you will want to pass down. While the necklace can be worn with multiple looks and still holds true for seasons to come.

WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR TRICKS FOR SEEKING OUT ITEMS OF QUALITY? WHAT SHOULD WE LOOK FOR AND HOW SHOULD WE DISCOVER NEW BRANDS?

I do believe in seeing it on a person and going into a store and feeling it. Also, it's important to have a knowledge of the brand. I think we're all more thoughtful shoppers now than ever before, but it's knowing the brand and looking at the images that they post on social. Hopefully, someone else has posted it like an influencer or they'll have an editorial so that I can see it from all angles.

But I would say take your time when building a wardrobe. Be insanely honest with yourself about it because it is so easy to be influenced and have all these things come at you quickly. Stop for a moment and write out a list. Will you wear this? How much will you wear it? Where will you wear it to? Do you already have that piece? I've become more thoughtful and mindful about my purchases. I truly wear pieces over and over and over again, just in different ways. So take your time. Slow down. Mindful purchasing for the win.

ANGELA'S PAGERIE PIECES