On Friday evening, in a very intimate setting that revolved women from all different backgrounds, but similar ideals came to hear three panelists with a cup of warm tea in their hands.
The Slow Factory’s headquarter was the place that this enlightened event took place. On the panel was Hoda Katebi, fashion activist blogger and founder of JooJoo Azad along with being an author of Tehran Streetstyle, Najma Sharif, editorial director at Equality for HER and writer for Nylon and Vice, last but not least owner of Slow Factory herself, Celine Semaan.
The three of them discussed when was the first time they remember being an activist, what fashion activism means to them, and even the Pepsi advertisement controversy.
Katebi who considers herself to be an “abolitionist” remember the exact time she felt more aware of her surroundings and differences. She grew up in Oklahoma surrounded by white people and having been blamed or made fun of. That is when she became an activist. These experince happen to some many people of color in America and even around the world. These three women were inspirations as they spoke of ideals that matter and how they feel the world needs to change.
Katebi regarding fast fashion said,” If a Forever21 shirt says ‘women’s march’ with a few fists and pink hats we jump with excitement as if the billion dollar company that exploits women globally has suddenly became a feminist symbol, gone rouge, and joined the resistance. Let’s just say, fast-fashion is far from ‘going rogue’– nor can they until they start their “resistance” from their sweatshops abroad.”
