hey gOOOders, here's an interview of Eva Geraldine, our founder, on curation and how she selects the brands we sell on our website and in our beautiful pop up shops. We often forget to tell our story and as our community is growing, let's talk ethical standards and the why behind our platform. Enjoy!
gOOOders:
Ciao Eva, let’s talk about the inception of gOOOders. Can you tell us what was the impetus? What was the driving force that got you started and create this platform?
Eva:
Sure. At first, when I came up with the idea, the ‘goooders’ I was referring to where the little artisans and communities that I was encountering around the world at the time via the consultancy I was doing with the United Nations.
Overwhelmed by their authenticity and proud of the work they were putting out, even though they were living in disadvantageous conditions. I was like, oh my God, I need to give those people, those goooders, a platform, a window, and perhaps support them with feedback or ideas on design, if necessary. That's how good their started.
gOOOders:
That’s great, what kind of brands did you originally pick up for the launch?
Eva:
Well, we got started with small brands and with other projects that were more around ecological values, brands that were making goods with recycled plastic for example. How I selected the brand, especially at the beginning, was very much following my gut feeling.
Because I met the majority of the brands we carry. I’ve met the owners or the artisans. I was seeing in this people the will not to ask for money or ask for charity, but a real desire to work and sell their products. And that felt right: they're made beautifully. They don’t use anything that damages the environment or people.
And of course, from there, the idea of goodness expanded, and now we have what we call our Ethical Standards.
If your company adheres to at least one of our ethical standards, whether that’s around your product or business, you're a gOOOder. We are not very strict, but we encourage like the brands we work with to take things one step at a time, so together we can move towards a more sustainable way idea of making things, of living, of traveling.
gOOOders:
So, what, why does this matter?
Eva:
Hmm. There is so much waste and so much pollution around the production of fashion and lifestyle goods that we really, really need to care about it.
We, collectively, need to start to buying things that are made with the materials that can be recycled. We have to buy things that don't follow seasons but are like must haves for a lifetime. And at the same time help others, although maybe that’s probably not the right word. Paying someone for their time and work is not helping someone, you buy something made a fair trade, that is not the product of exploitation.
That's why it's important. It's important really to consume in a more careful way, and to know what the ethical standards are, whether for gOOOders or I don't know, the SDG goals (Sustainable Development Goals) for the United Nations or any other set of values that you can refer to every time you buy something.
gOOOders:
Hmm, that’s an interesting approach. Consider our values before buying something.
Eva:
Yes! I think it's super important. If not, we are going to support damage being done to our environment and we're going to damage already disadvantaged communities.
gOOOders:
Right, I feel your message really clearly on the sustainable and ethical angle. But what kind of products will we want to keep for a lifetime though?
Eva:
Well, that’s why we focus on ‘Beautiful, Meaningful and Sustainable’: our products have to be aesthetically appealing. They don't have to be perfect because that’s why I'm there for. I may suggest for colours, new shapes, or other ideas to improve the products, but the first idea as to be still like very appealing.
That’s essential for me when I select a new brands or projects.
gOOOders:
Who do you look, look up to when we talk about ethical fashion?
Eva:
Well, I was working with the UN’s Ethical Fashion Initiative. They have been doing an amazing job around ethical values, following since the very beginning the SDG goals, especially related to fashion production and fashion consumption.
And I follow what’s going on around, for new ideas and for new standards. I’m interested to see what happens with H&M Conscious, or Net-a-porter with Net Sustain.
gOOOders:
And for people who are interested in educating themselves further on these topics, what can you recommend?
Eva:
It may sound random, but I really like this app that I really, that it's really useful for a more sustainable lifestyle. It's called AWorld.
Every day they push out some news and also help you understand what small actions you can take daily. You get to log them and see how you’re doing. It’s really great.
I also read the Harvard Business Review, though sometimes articles can be in depth or a bit dry, but it’s worth it.
gOOOders:
We love that app too!
Eva:
Well, the only thing is that sometimes I feel a little guilty, if I haven’t done enough small sustainable actions today?
gOOOders:
Ha! Same here, but we’re doing better than before so that’s something. Thank you so much Eva, great inspirations and ideas.
