Your cart
There are no more items in your cart
Juliet Bonhomme (@julietbonhomme) is a true fashion icon and advocate for sustainable fashion. With a growing following, Juliet inspires her audience through her unique talent for upcycling and transforming pre-loved pieces into stunning, contemporary outfits. Known for her keen eye for vintage treasures, Juliet has become a beacon of sustainable style on social media. Her journey into second-hand fashion began years ago, driven by a passion for individuality and a commitment to reducing fashion's environmental impact. Juliet’s dedication to promoting a more conscious approach to fashion is evident in everything she does, making her a true inspiration for fashion enthusiasts everywhere. We had the pleasure of sitting down with her for an exclusive interview, where she shared her insights and experiences in sustainable fashion.
1. What inspired you to start your journey in sustainable fashion and upcycling?
When I understood the impact of Fast Fashion on our planet. I was an overconsumer of fast fashion, and it was quite impressive (in a bad way)... it was up to a point that I wanted to have a blog in order to show streetstyle of people, showing micro trends of the period and then promoting them on a blog, and telling people where to buy them (mainly FF brands). But I couldn't post this blog, I had quite like a barrier that stopped me from publishing it. And then I understood: it was ok for me to wear FF, but promoting it was another thing (according to everything we all know about the working conditions). That's when I realised that it was time for me to change my consumption towards a more sustainable one because you must be able (for me) to promote everything you wear/do because you must be aligned. So I started to buy only second hand, order on vinted, thrift, invest in sustainable brands and everything. Then COVID happened, and that's when I started to upcycle my own clothes since I couldn't go out to thrift treasures. Upcycling was IT for me: I was able to transform second-hand clothing, old ones or even curtains into my own personal clothes.
2. How has your personal style evolved since you began focusing on sustainable fashion?
I do dare more, I love to mix colors, romantic and sporty styles. I really don't care about what people think and I'm just having FUN! I love to have unique pieces that I made and that no one can have héhé.
3. Can you share some of the challenges you faced when you first started upcycling?
First of all, I had to learn everything by myself. Quite a challenge ahha. My mom taught me how to use the sewing machine, but then I was on my own since she wasn't sewing any clothes. I also tend to discover that the quality of clothes and fabric you transform is really important!
4. What is your favourite upcycled item you’ve created and why?
I think it's a crochet set of a skirt and a matching long-sleeve top, made of a thrifted blanket. It was my most challenging one because of the fabric that looks like lace, so made out of a lot of holes. I took a lot of time and precision to make these 2 pieces, but it also felt easy. And I can tell you that when you start sewing, pieces that give you a great time are the ones that go without any troubles and feel "easy" to sew.
5. Can you describe your creative process when designing a new upcycled piece?
I always start with the fabric, it's the starting point of anything. It will give you the volume that you can create, also the obstacles you need to face and avoid (holes, stains). Then, I think of what inspires me according to the fabric, I always want to respect the original fabric and use the maximum amount of it. I look on Pinterest, Instagram, around me, people, books, exhibitions. I note some ideas in my phone, draw some sketches if needed, and then I just go with the flow. it's always a hard time for me to start CUTTING ahah because it means that I can no longer go back haha.
6. How do you see the future of sustainable fashion evolving, and what role do you hope to play in it?
I feel like everybody wants to go towards a more sustainable fashion way of dressing. No one wants people to suffer to make their clothes... the problem is that people aren't always well-informed or think that they can't do anything about it. This is where I want to take a place: help to inform, raise awareness, and help people to find solutions. Just like upcycling, helping them to transform what they already have, gives them the confidence to use a sewing machine and turn their clothes into unique pieces that fit THEIR bodies.
7. What advice would you give to someone just starting their journey in sustainable fashion?
First of all: Keep on, you're doing amazing <3
Then: you don't have to be perfect but start to look into what you already have! THEN look for some inspo on Pinterest for pieces you love and need to re-invent into other looks. Then, if you want new ones, look for second-hand options, and then into sustainable brands.
Thank you for the sincere interview! <3
Text by: Paulina Šinkūnaitė
