Stop Fast Fashion to Slow Climate Change: Spotlight on CEC Climate Stewards Debra Eve

Photo with Debra Eve in middle, course facilitator Rosheil Ramirez (left), and fellow Climate Steward Mark Silbernagel on a tour of the Ojai Valley Land Conservancy.

Debra Eve, an alumnus of the Community Environmental Council’s Climate Stewards certification program, wants to raise awareness about the environmental and social consequences of unsustainable “fast” fashion and manufacturing. For her Capstone Project, she founded the website stopfastfashion.org, which provides information about the negative impacts of the apparel industry and how we can make better choices that reduce our climate impact while improving working and living conditions for people around the world.

Debra’s project inspired CEC to participate in Second Hand September, an Oxfam campaign to encourage people to shop for second hand clothes and accessories to reduce waste, take a stance against climate change, and help create a fairer world. You can learn more about how to take the #SecondHandSeptember pledge and join us in combating fast fashion here.

We spoke with Debra about her background in the fashion industry, what inspired her to become a Climate Steward, and how she incorporates sustainability into her own life.

How did you learn about the Climate Stewards program, and what did you gain from the experience?

I retired to Ojai just before Covid hit, but I'd always wanted to become a Master Gardener. I was a guerrilla gardener in L.A. and decided to go legit! During my Master Gardener training, I became passionate about California native plants and how they mitigate climate change. One of my instructors mentioned the Climate Stewards program. I instantly knew it was my next step.

The Climate Stewards program has given me so much hope. Interacting with a cohort of like-minded people around climate change has been life-changing. I'd been a "concerned citizen" for many years, primarily supporting environmental groups with my wallet since my corporate job was so stressful. But now, I've become part of a community working together to address the most critical issue of our lifetime. I can't think of a better purpose for my retirement. Through completing my Climate Stewards Certificate, I know that people are stepping up every single day.

 What inspired your capstone project on the impacts of fast fashion?

Fashion was my first career path. After I graduated from the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising in 1981, an exclusive department store recruited me. I observed appalling conditions while visiting one of their plants and became disillusioned with the industry. But I've always believed a better approach existed and decided to research sustainable fashion. I went down the fast fashion rabbit hole instead. 

 What were you surprised to learn through your Capstone project?

The fashion juggernaut manufactures 100 billion apparel items yearly, and around 85% of that ends up in landfills (even donated items), emitting greenhouse gasses just like plastic does. Synthetic fabrics are just another form of fossil fuel.      

 What do you hope people will do with the information presented on your website?

I hope people will realize that new clothes have a cost beyond the price tag. Upcycling and buying used are two of the simplest ways to slow climate change. They can also evolve into a truly personal style that reaches beyond what everyone else is wearing.

What are your favorite 'secondhand' tips and tricks?

Something I learned back in fashion school—analyze your colors. Really! Once you know what looks good on you, this season's absurd "must have" color will never tempt you. And, of course, most big second hand stores rack by color. You'll sweep past all the blues that don't suit you and hone in on the one that does. Just Google "personal color analysis."   

Second, become your own designer. Choose quality secondhand pieces that can be dyed, cut apart, and/or sewn together in unique ways. What do you have to lose? YouTube has some fantastic inspiration and instruction.  

How do you incorporate elements of sustainability into your life and work?

I'm back in my garden—composting, harvesting vegetables, and incorporating more native plants. I'm also researching how to grow natural dye plants. My husband and I share the same gas-efficient car I drove on L.A.'s congested streets for eleven years, but I doubt that we put 100 miles a month on it now. It's much easier to be sustainable since we've downsized and retired to a small, ecologically-minded town.  

What gives you hope in the face of the challenges we face in fast fashion, climate change, etc?

Although many corporations consider "greenwashing" a legitimate marketing tactic, people are waking up to it. And increasingly, designers and small manufacturers are embracing slower, more nuanced approaches to creating apparel. While researching my capstone, I read Fashionopolis: The Price of Fast Fashion and the Future of Clothes by Dana Thomas, which I highly recommend. She concludes, "The revolution is not only going to be born from the makers. We all have to step up."