AD | Meet GeeGee Collection

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Friday, 9 September 2022

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In July, I went along to the first ever Northern Fashion Week, held in Manchester for 3 days. I had never been to a fashion week event before and I admit I did feel a fair bit of imposter syndrome when I first arrived, but I was excited to see how the event would showcase ethical and sustainable fashion and positive changes in the industry. 

 

After a few minutes looking around, I found GeeGee Collection’s stall and got chatting to Georgia, GeeGee Collection’s founder. She told me about her business – a focus on traditional artisanship and luxury on a small and sustainable scale – and showed me the samples she’d brought with her. After I took a particular fancy to a jacket and short set, Georgia suggested I try them. I got so much joy from trying on that outfit in the toilets of the convention centre, I never wanted to take them off (of course I did in the end, that would have been unfair to Georgia). A pair of shorts has never fit me as well as that pair did. I absolutely adored them and to be honest, many of my conversations since then have been about these shorts. I’m sorry to all my pals who have had to put up with me constantly going on about them…


 

So, Who Are GeeGee Collection?

 

Founded in 2019, GeeGee Collection’s core goal is to bring back traditional artisanship and quality to fashion as a means of moving away from the fast fashion model and its harmful environmental impact. Georgia develops her designs in East London while the fabrics used are handwoven using traditional artisanship in Lyon, France. The clothes are then put together in a sample studio in Shoreditch. 

 

GeeGee work on a non-seasonal basis.  This means that they don’t conform to the trend cycle and don’t have a limited time for product creation and sale, allowing for fewer designs to be sold throughout the year and with less time pressure on the production process. While big fashion brands have sped up this process to incorporate 52 (or more) seasons per year into their business, operating on a non-seasonal basis slows down the production of brands like GeeGee by adding in styles as and when they’re ready, working on bespoke items and focusing on waste reduction. They also do this by looking at ways to make every day clothing staples feel new and creative. I love any way of making my outfits more jazzy - adding colour or cool patterns in there to spice up an otherwise ordinary look. So I love GeeGee’s principle of reinventing wardrobe classics, like blazers and shorts, to make them more exciting and feel more luxurious!


Image: GeeGee Collection

 

In their early days, GeeGee were producing 10 products in size small, five in medium, and 5 in large. Two years later they shifted to cater mostly for size large and then downsize when needed, as they found that more styles were selling in that size. Those numbers seem almost astonishing when we’re used to seeing production figures of thousands, millions or even billions of garments by big fashion brands like H&M, Boohoo, and SheIn (no matter how much they try to convince us that they’re sustainable and ethical). As we know through research such as Remake’s 2021 Accountability Report, small businesses are consistently more sustainable and ethical than big brands. In this report, small and medium businesses scored 37 points on average, compared to 9 points average for big fashion brands – highlighting that smaller businesses are leading the way in sustainable fashion.

 

GeeGee Collection’s first London Fashion Week show is taking place on 9pm 19th September at Soho House, London. This event will include not only a showcase of their clothing line, but also demonstrations using textile looms so that attendees can see for themselves how much time, labour, and skill goes into weaving their fabrics. I am personally very excited to see how this process works! 

 

If you fancy a nose at more of GeeGee Collection’s clothes and what they’ve been up to, you can find their Instagram and website here. And if you ever want to talk to me about the incredible jacket and shorts pair I tried on, I will be more than happy and will probably get slightly over-excited at how cool they are!




If you like my work and have learned something from it, please consider helping support me (so I have more time to write posts and articles like these!) by buying me a virtual cuppa! 


If you liked this post you might like: Where Was Fashion at COP26?

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April 2022 | Monthly Wrap Up

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Friday, 29 April 2022

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April has been a slower month than the past and for that I am grateful!


Favourite part?


I’ve had a bit less on this month which has been great, especially after such a hectic month as March when I didn’t get much chance to relax. I got some long extensions for my uni assignments which has definitely helped me go at the slower pace I needed. I’m now spending most of my days ensuring I get the sleep I need, doing some essay reading or planning, going to my job, and doing fun things when I can. Not too bad.

 

My friend Rosie and I went to a Made Up North independent sellers’ market at the Biscuit Factory art gallery and had a great time looking at all the businesses, chatting to the people selling things, and bought some snazzy stuff too. I came home with a print, some vegan fudge (!!), a book, a coaster, and a plant! It was such a nice way to spend a Sunday morning. 



I’ve had quite a few great evenings and afternoons with friends this month actually. Whether that’s going for a gin and some ice cream or wine and cake... Okay, so there seems to have been a lot of alcohol and desserts but you know what, what better past time can you have?

 

I took myself to go see Eight Grade at the Star and Shadow Cinema. It was such a good film – I can really understand all the praise it got when it was released. I used to go the cinema by myself loads before the big panini so it’s nice getting slightly back into that comfort habit. Self-care people! 

 

I had a great beach day at Tynemouth with FemSoc. We had a look around the market, I had a doughnut (it was amazing!), and then had a barbecue at one of the beaches. It was decent weather and a couple of us even had a quick dip in the sea – I can confirm it was still pretty cold!

 

A couple of days ago I went to a rage room also with FemSoc. We had a great time basically just smashing lots of things up. I wasn’t expecting it to be such a workout but as I’m writing this there are many muscles in my body which are still aching! 



Best read?


I finished off The Tenant of Wildfell Hall by Anne Bronte – a potential text to write on for uni but plans changed! I still enjoyed it though, Anne is the underrated Bronte. 

 

I then also finished off reading Becoming Abolitionists: Police, Protests, and the Pursuit of Freedom by Derecka Purnell. This book is incredible in so many ways and I really urge you to read it, especially if you’re unsure on what police and prison abolition actually means in practice. 


 

I then read Small Pleasures by Clare Chambers, which I still haven’t figured out my opinions on. It was a slow start but an interesting premise, and I got much more into it as it went on, only to be very confused by the sudden and quite annoying ending. I didn’t feel like I had closure with the characters or any kind of resolution. I feel like I need to speak to someone who has also read it and has out some of my thoughts. 

 

I borrowed a copy of Hands: An Anxious Mind Unpicked by Lauren Brown from a friend, and read it pretty quickly it. It’s a memoir primarily discussing the author’s anxiety and experiences of dermatillomania, or compulsive skin picking. I felt very emotional reading this book, as I experience the same compulsions, except in different areas of my body to Lauren Brown and also alongside hair-pulling. I think this book really gave me a push to realise just how much I’m affected by my anxiety and skin and hair-picking and to do something more about it. Would highly, highly recommend! 


 

I finished read Feminist Theory: From Margin to Center by bell hooks. As always, bell hooks is incredible. I made so many notes which I know I’ll be going back to. 

 

Sesame and Lilies by John Ruskin among chapters of various other books and articles relating to the essay I’m currently writing for uni.

 

I’m part way through several books at the moment. First Reputation by Lex Croucher, 

Abolition Feminism Now by Angela Davis, Gina Dent, etc. and The God of Small Things by Arundhati Roy which I started for Shado Mag’s new Book Club! 


Favourite listen?


I’ve mixed it up a little bit this month and have listened to something other than Taylor Swift or Little Mix. I know, wild right? The Regrettes, Orla Gartland and Olivia Rodrigo, along with some dodie nostalgia, have been some faves this month, as well as their artist radios on Spotify.


Favourite watch?


I’m on season 11 in my Grey’s Anatomy rewatch. I’m currently behind on Interior Design Masters and the new season of Derry Girls, so I need a chill catch up day! 


What did I learn?


Even if you love some projects it can be a relief to let go. Having a slower life is actually the goal, and I’m gradually getting there. It’s a good thing to ask for help more often. 


What’s happening next month?


I’ll be doing more prep for and writing up my next essay! Some pals are coming up to visit me and I’m going to visit pals and family too! 

 

It’s now my final month on the committee for my unviersity’s Feminist Society and our last events of the year!  It’s going to be emotional but it’s the right time for me to stop. We’ve got some time to celebrate too with some awards evenings at the Students’ Union. 

 

I’m hoping to get cycling more now that I’ve had some recovery time after having Covid again and to have some more time to see friends. 


What’s been on my mind?


I’ve been thinking a lot about my own mental health recently. Or maybe just being more aware of it, and noticing changes or habits, especially after reading Hands. 


Favourite post?


Haven’t written any posts other than this one! I’ve come up with several ideas but I’ve just not had the capacity to write them. Hopefully when a few things come off my plate soon I’ll be able to spend more time on this here blog! 


Biggest inspiration?


Honestly I’ve been getting a lot of creative joy from TikTok and it’s genuinely giving me so much energy. It may seem a bit ridiculous but it’s true! If you’re not following me already, go and have a look at some of the videos I’ve made. They’re mostly in relation to fashion/the climate and I hope they’re a good way of engaging people and getting them into movements for change.


Any other favourites?


I treated myself to a new candle from Nook Candles! I got the Machlud candle, which is quite a citrusy one. It smells lush, and it’s amazing getting to support a Welsh independent brand! 





If you like my work and have learned something from it, please consider helping support me (so I have more time to write posts and articles like these!) by buying me a virtual cuppa! 


If you liked this post you might like: March 2022 | Monthly Wrap Up

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March 2022 | Monthly Wrap Up

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Monday, 4 April 2022

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A lot has happened in March. It’s seemed non-stop in parts. And now it’s time for more of a rest.



Favourite part?

 

There’s been so much stuff happening March, my trip to Edinburgh feels like much longer ago than just the beginning of the month. It was such a great trip and while I spent way more money on books than planned, I loved walking around by myself and having an explore, both of the city and Holyrood Park. More solo trips in the future please! 


 

After my holiday some friends came up to visit me for a long weekend and I was so lush to spend time with them. I totally switched off that weekend and loved being a tourist in my own city for a change. Now that so many of my friends live far away from me, I feel like I value visits like these so much more than I used to.  

 


I am President of my university’s Feminist Society and for the past few months the rest of exec and I have been working so hard to put on the society’s annual conference – this year known as FemCon! I was so nervous and stressed about it beforehand but it went so well, it was such a relief! The speakers were all incredible and I’m so grateful to have been able to have them all on board. 


 

Newcastle Students’ Union held a week-long campaign in March called Climate Conscious Careers, and I was a part of these events! The first one was a collaboration with university’s Sustainability Team looking at climate action beyond individualism, with me talking specifically about why being involved in movements is necessary for change. The next day I was on a panel about green jobs with 3 other people who are much more established in their careers than I am, which, I won’t lie, was quite intimidating. I really enjoyed both events, especially as the people attending were so engaged, and they left me feeling very validated in the work that I’m doing. 


I kept talking about green jobs after the Climate campaign at the SU, specifically at the UCU pickets at uni. It was great speaking with staff and students about the issues staff are facing, and to speak to a crowd of people about Newcastle University's hypocrisy on climate issues at the Newcastle Climate Strike. Some pals and I made it onto the BBC North report on the strikes, something that made me chuckle. 


Photo: Screenshot of BBC North Report

 

At the end of the month I had my delayed graduation. My family came up and it was such a lush couple of days until it came to bit of a crashing end. After getting a snotty nose that evening I did a Covid test and ended up being positive, so I’m currently writing this from my bed having spent the past few days in isolation and not moved much from the position I’m in right now. It’s been a relief that my symptoms have been a lot milder than last time I had Covid, but and the anxiety about who I may have spread it to during my graduation has been huge. 



Best read?

 

I’ve been back on reading books for my next uni essay, so overall I’ve read slightly less, and that’s okay! 

 

I started the month reading How to Blow Up a Pipeline by Andreas Malm. It was interesting for sure, and while I found his writing style engaging I’m not sure what my opinions are on what he says. I know one of my friends is reading it soon so I can’t wait for them to because this is a book I feel I need to discuss with someone. 

 

I picked up a battered secondhand copy of The Doctor’s Wife by Mary Elizabeth Braddon in Armchair Books in Edinburgh. I was very excited to see a Braddon book that wasn’t Lady Audley’s Secret. Reading it was hilarious, mostly because of the fact two of the male characters tell the main female character that (and I paraphrase) ‘she’s not like other girls’ multiple times. It just cracked me up that things haven’t changed in over 150 years. 

 

I then read The Pyjama Myth Sian Meades-Williams, which I pre-ordered on Unbound I think almost a year ago now. Sian has some brilliant and practical tips and advice in this book. I now have 2 books on freelancing and I feel like they’ve both been necessary to give me a bit of a kick up the bum to sort out the admin side of my writing work. I will certainly be dipping back into The Pyjama Myth here and there in future! 

 

I’m now halfway through The Tenant of Wildfell Hall by Anne Bronte, which is potentially another book I’m going to write on for uni.

 


Favourite listen?

 

I’ve mixed it up a little bit this month and have listened to something other than Taylor Swift or Little Mix. I know, wild right? The Regrettes, Orla Gartland and Olivia Rodrigo, along with some dodie nostalgia, have been some faves this month, as well as their artist radios on Spotify. Some abs

 

Favourite watch?

 

Bridgerton series 2 of course. I watched it all in the first few days after it was released, and then the second half with my mum. I am obsessed. My TikTok For You page is no dominated by Kanthony and I don’t know how I can change that. I’ve also been rewatching Grey’s Anatomy yet again so that I have a refresh for watching series 17 which is now on Disney+! A new series of Interior Design Masters with Alan Carr is back on and I am loving it. 

 

What did I learn?

 

I can be good at things and people can actually take me seriously for the things that I’m good at. And all climate panels need a gobby young person, and I am perfectly happy to fit that bill. 

 

What’s happening next month?

 

April will be a quieter month hopefully. I need to recover again from Covid and from a ridiculously hectic few weeks. The main focus will be continuing my uni work, seeing friends where possible and if the snow doesn’t continue like it is now, enjoying the sun.

 

What’s been on my mind?

 

I don’t feel like I’ve had much chance to think recently, what with everything being so busy. But then when I do get chance to think it gets a bit overwhelming with all of the things happening in the world. I need some more brain space.

 

Favourite post?


I didn’t post this month so I guess this question is void right now? 

 

Biggest inspiration?


Seeing some wins actually happen (like Tim Farron finally signing the Green New Deal bill after months of back and forth) and to experience people being genuinely engaged in the work I’m doing. Honestly the week where the sun came out and it was warm made so so happy, and combined with being at the pickets I got so much motivation. I can’t wait for summer.


 

Any other favourites?


Balsamic vinegar and the Hellman’s chilli vegan mayo have been obsessions of mine recently. Not together mind you. But balsamic vinegar with tomatoes and pasta in some combination oof I love it. I never used to be a mayo person but recently I’ve been having mayo on everything and the Hellman’s chilli vegan one is simply god tier. 




If you like my work and have learned something from it, please consider helping support me (so I have more time to write posts and articles like these!) by buying me a virtual cuppa! 


If you liked this post you might like: February 2022 | Monthly Wrap Up

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February 2022 | Monthly Wrap Up

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Wednesday, 2 March 2022

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February has been full on but all in all pretty good. 



Favourite part?

 

One of the biggest things that happened in February was probably becoming President of my university’s Feminist Society! It’s been exciting to plan out events for the next few months and to bring everyone together. Here’s to seeing what the rest of FemSoc 2022 holds! 

 

To show solidarity with the UCU strikes at my university, myself and some other students worked together to organise Teach Out on the Green New Deal. It was so much fun and I’m so proud of how the event went. We discussed what the GND is, why we need it how we make it happen, and how the strikes link to climate justice. The discussions felt really engaging and it was great to have so many young people interested in action. 


 

I had a new article come out this month. It was for One Off Nature, and will be on their upcoming website as well as in a post on their Instagram page. It looked at upcycling and why having joy and sentimentality attached to our clothes is key to sustainability in fashion.

 

I also got a tattoo! It’s my first one and I was and still am very excited about it. It’s an outline of Leia Organa’s classic hair-do, and I’m glad I finally got it as I’ve been procrastinating booking an appointment for literal years. Fair to say I’m obsessed with her! 



I spent a lush evening doing a couple of different painting by numbers images from a set I was given for Christmas, while watching Encanto and eating crumpets. It felt like I was able to properly wind down and I want to find some more sets to do. 



The last weekend of February was actually really fun. One of my friends was in a musical with a society at their university and a group of us went to watch opening night. It was lush to see them as we haven’t been able to spend much time together recently. The next day it was my flatmate’s last football match with her team and we went to watch and headed to the chippy afterwards. 

 

All of February I’ve been working on different drafts of the first research assignment for my degree, and last Thursday I finally submitted it. The process was a bit of a learning curve with getting feedback and having lots and LOTS of edits to make in a week, but I feel more confident heading into the next one. But first it’s time for a bit of a rest and then reading lots to figure out what I’m writing about next!   

 

Best read?

 

I’ve had some pretty fun reads this month. I started off with First Comes Love by Tom Rasmussen which is absolutely brilliant in every way. Tom’s analysis and anecdotes about marriage are so insightful and so funny. I have lots of notes on this book and need one of my friends to read it so we can discuss! 

 

I then read No One is Talking About This by Patricia Lockwood. It took me a while to get into this one, but I found it much more interesting and impactful from the second half onwards. 

 

I then read Red, White and Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston which was fun and silly and sentimental, and My Sister, The Serial Killer by Oyinkan Braithwate which was also quite fun despite being very different in tone. I also read Danny the Champion of the World by Roald Dahl as part of my tutoring job.

 

I am currently working my way through How to Blow Up a Pipeline by Andreas Malm, Becoming Abolitionists by Derecka Purnel and Feminist Theory: from margin to center by bell hooks. 


 

Favourite listen?

 

I’m extremely late to the party but I’ve been listening to Olivia Rodrigo’s album SOUR on repeat for the past few days. I get the hype now. 

 

Favourite watch?

 

I finally got around to watching Encanto and yes, it did make me cry. I also watched series 2 of Starstuck in one night and yep I’m still obsessed with that show. It’s so so good. I just absolutely adore the characters. 

 

What did I learn?


I don’t have to be amazing at all creative things to enjoy them. 

 

What’s happening next month?


Trips away, seeing more of my pals, the annual FemSoc conference, and getting started on my next essay! And hopefully resting where I can. For some reason everything has seemed to be happening all at the same time so I’m trying to find pockets of rest where I can and ways to do all these things in a way that is sustainable for me. 

 

What’s been on my mind?

 

Trying to find joy in things when the world around me is falling apart. 

 

Favourite post?


I only shared one blog post this month and it was my Valentine’s post on 5 Steps To Getting Over Your Break Up with Fast Fashion. I had an absolute blast writing this and was chuckling at my laptop the entire time. I hope it makes you laugh too! 



Biggest inspiration?


I’ve been feeling really excited about the research I get to do as part of my degree. It feels very creative and to really be pushing me in the best of senses. 

 

Any other favourites?

 

I’ve had a few small things that have been giving me a lot of joy. One of those has been my new Jane Austen mug. I got it to keep at uni and it makes me so happy. It’s a great size and is just so pretty. It somehow makes me feel more legitimate as a research student, although I have no idea the psychology behind that. 

 

The next are a few items I received as a late Christmas present (due to having to isolate over the actual Christmas period!) and which come in the form of an insulated food pot, many sachets of miso soup, and a hand knitted scarf. The pot and miso soup have particularly been helping me get through my deadlines. I’ve been roasting tofu and any veg that I have in the morning, shoving them in my new insulated pot and adding a miso soup sachet and hot water when I’m ready for lunch in uni, and it’s just so tasty. I will forever be keeping miso soup sachets in my locker at uni now. 






If you like my work and have learned something from it, please consider helping support me (so I have more time to write posts and articles like these!) by buying me a virtual cuppa! 


If you liked this post you might like: January 2022 | Monthly Wrap Up


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5 Steps to Getting Over Your Break-Up with Fast Fashion

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Monday, 14 February 2022

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Fast fashion is the ultimate shitty ex. It’s the truth. You’re caught up in an intense and possessive relationship (potentially for many years) that you keep going back to because maybe they’ve changed this time. It’s only once you’re out of that situation that you can fully see how many times you were lied to or taken for granted. This Valentine’s Day, we’re celebrating getting over our breakup with fast fashion and moving on to healthier and slower relationship with clothes and consumption! 



1. Acknowledge that this relationship was toxic


Make a list of red flags. Yes, all of them. They said you were ‘not like other girls’ and claimed to be an intersectional feminist while paying black and brown women poverty wages behind your back. They repeatedly lied to your face about the impacts of their sustainability efforts and how much they care for the environment. They got angry when you returned their hoodie and threw it straight in the bin.


2. Talk trash about them with your friends


The ultimate cure. Maybe get a bit drunk while doing so, turn all your friends, colleagues, family against them. Tell them the facts, show them the stories of millions of women (and the also that 1 big planet) they have harmed too. Get it out of your system and rant to the world. Your feelings are valid and shouldn’t be kept in.  


3. Unfollow, block, delete on ALL social media


You do not need that kind of negativity in your life. Leave the reminders behind. Yes, that includes their Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, TikTok, even their crappy little newsletter you think no one reads. If they have a YouTube channel, block that too. But don’t worry we can still be bitter and leave comments calling them out on their lies and deception – we’re just protecting those to come right? 


4. Reflect on what was missing in the relationship and what you’re looking for in the future


What were you so unsatisfied with that you kept going back to fast fashion? What was at the root of the short term gratification but prolonged feeling of general shittiness? This year, we’re working on ourselves, and feeling more confident in who we are, what we like, how we want to dress, and our own values, so that we’re not sucked into trends and end up with things we don’t actually want or have any interest in. What kind of clothes do you actually want? And what do you want their stories to be? 


5. Forget them and thrive in your new relationship with fashion


At this point you will only remember them when listening to Taylor Swift’s ‘I Forgot That You Existed’. Years, potentially even months down the line from your cutting ties with fast fashion you won’t think about needing new clothes, and if you do, you’ll reconsider if you actually want that garment or if you only want to buy it for the short-term gratification to briefly fill the void of inadequacy that white supremacist capitalist patriarchy pushes on you constantly. Here’s to being able to better spot red flags, see beyond the lies, and having better relationships with ourselves and the clothes we wear!



If you like my work and have learned something from it, please consider helping support me (so I have more time to write posts and articles like these!) by buying me a virtual cuppa! 


If you liked this post you might like: What's So Bad About Fast Fashion?

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