We chat to Bailey about what sparked her sustainability journey, get the lowdown on her newest business venture EcoGo and find out what advice she’d give to others who want to make a difference.

See also: Neighbourhood Guide – Eco Retail Shops in Central

1. In one sentence, tell us what you do?

I’m a high-school senior, book lover and youth changemaker. I’m also the founder of a social enterprise called ReBooked, a platform that promotes the reuse of pre-loved children’s books. I guess you can say that I’m surrounded by books most of the day, whether for work or for play!

2. Why are you an 8Shader?

I started becoming more sustainability-conscious around four years ago when I was confronted with a personal – although admittedly first-world! – dilemma of what to do with books that I’d outgrown. I didn’t want to contribute to Hong Kong’s monumental waste problem by throwing them away or even recycling them; instead, I was eager to pass them onto other young readers who would enjoy them as much as I did. I launched ReBooked to make ‘disposing’ of books in a green way more convenient, sharing my love of reading and making second-hand books more accessible.

Starting ReBooked was the first time I became truly aware of the impact of my lifestyle choices. Since launching, I’ve had the opportunity to participate in local eco-friendly fairs and meet the teams behind many local sustainable businesses. With this came an increased consciousness of looking for eco-friendly options. Since then, I’ve become more purposeful about looking for eco-friendly options and supporting sustainability-focused brands.

That being said, actively making the shift to greener brands and products was not necessarily easy! I knew I wanted to live a greener lifestyle, but I didn’t know where to start… and found that my friends felt the same way! This inspired me to begin my next business venture, EcoGo – an app and website that serves as a directory for sustainable stores in Hong Kong. I’m working with a team of other young people based all over Asia to test, develop and launch EcoGo. We all hope that through EcoGo, living a sustainable life will be more attractive, accessible and convenient!

I think sustainable consumption is important because when we buy goods, we vote with our dollar. Although a small change in your shopping habits may not make a huge difference to you, these acts add up. Supporting eco-friendly brands helps them thrive and shows that their green practices and beliefs are valued.

3. What’s your best eco habit – and your guilty not-so green one?

I always bring a refillable water bottle and a reusable tote bag with me. My not-so-green guilty indulgence is taking taxis around the city when I’m running late or in a rush… which is often! I could definitely utilise Hong Kong’s MTR, tram and bus networks more often.

4. Fave eco store?

One of my favourite pastimes wherever I am is thrift shopping for clothes. Here in Hong Kong, I always check the clothes selection at Mee & Gee. I’ve found some amazing treasures there!

5. Fave veggie dishes in Hong Kong?

My favourite vegan dish might just be the Zeus Gyros at Big Dill – a ‘lamb’ wrap filled with veggies, fries and sauces. Another restaurant I love is Veggie4Love, a 50s-themed restaurant in Central that serves vegetarian dishes from around the world.

Also, a quick shoutout to my friend Chandni Sacheti, the founder of Lives Without Knives. She’s the one who introduced me to all my favorite vegan restaurants!

6. What have been your biggest challenges and proudest achievements since starting ReBooked?

Launching ReBooked at the start of Covid meant we had to adjust our business processes as the pandemic situation evolved. While there were some challenges for new businesses like ours, Covid also presented meaningful opportunities to serve our customers by providing reasonably priced book options for families, alongside an online bookstore where parents could shop in the safety of their home.

Last year, we opened our own retail store in Central to complement our online shop; I’m really pleased that ReBooked is now Hong Kong’s biggest platform for second-hand books. I’m also excited that ReBooked has branched out to expand in Brazil and Turkey, and our literacy outreach programmes are in the Philippines too. I’m looking forward to seeing ReBooked’s social impact and presence grow in the years to come.

7. What advice would you give to other young people wanting to make a difference?

Just do it! There’s no such thing as a perfect time, perfect plan or perfect team to start making a difference. A lot of the journey is having passion, being open to trial-and-error and learning along the way.

Another big tip – and something I wish I did more when I started ReBooked – is to ask for help. With help from teammates, mentors, family and friends, you’ll have a much greater impact than you would have just by yourself. Whether you need expert advice from a specialist in the field or just someone to chat and take a break with, support from others is essential not only for the success of your project, but also for your own sense of wellbeing.

8. What shade of green are you?

Being a newbie in this area, I would be a pale mint green. My goal is to progressively work towards being a bright, cheerful lime green or maybe even a deep, sophisticated royal green in the next few years!

Find out more about ReBooked on their website and Instagram

NEXT: See all ‘8Shades Of‘ interviews

Sign up for the 8Shades weekly newsletter to get our top stories in your inbox!

The post 8Shades Of… Bailey Cherry of ReBooked appeared first on 8Shades.

As well as shopping for pre-owned designer fashion on their website, HULA has a Wong Chuk Hang warehouse and a Central boutique where you can browse hundreds of fabulous pieces in-person – meaning there’s no excuse not to get in on the pre-loved action!

We chat to Sarah about what inspired her to start HULA, whether there’s a stigma around second-hand clothing and her top tips on making our wardrobes more sustainable.

1. In one sentence, tell us what you do?

I’m the founder and CEO of HULA – a highly curated, authenticated consignment business selling the best luxury womenswear, bags, shoes and accessories. HULA helps customers monetise their wardrobe while offering consumers the best authentic, pre-owned, designer womenswear at up to 95 percent off retail price. In short, I turn people’s waste into other people’s treasures!

2. Why are you an 8Shader?

The rise of fast fashion and consumerism has made textiles waste one of the biggest polluters worldwide – which became a massive reason for starting HULA.

I used to work at Lane Crawford’s head office and realised how much waste there was in the fashion industry – not only on the retail side, where a product would have an 8-12 week shelf-life before going to the sales bin, but also among friends who would often ask where to get rid of items they no longer wanted. I knew there would be an opportunity for this type of business… plus loads of amazing products to unlock in my friends’ wardrobes!

Having previously founded my own lingerie and swimwear label, I also really appreciated the effort that goes into designing, producing and marketing a collection – so I wanted to make it HULA’s mission to extend the lifespan of well-crafted fashion pieces too.

3. What’s your best eco habit – and your guilty not-so green one?

Of course, its shopping mostly second-hand fashion! I’m also almost vegetarian throughout the work week. My guilty pleasure is that I love jumping on a plane to travel.

4. Fave eco brands?

For fashion, I love Gabriela Hearst and Cult Gaia. For lifestyle, I can’t live without Oatly oat milk for my go-to daily latte fix! I also love ECOS household products – they work really well and smell so good!

5. Fave veggie dishes in Hong Kong?

Treehouse’s veggie bibimbap, Dandy’s Organic Café’s veggie curry with brown rice and Maison Libanaise’s mixed rice, Lebanese salad and roasted cauliflower with tahini sauce.

6. Do you think there is still a stigma when it comes to buying second-hand?

Shopping second-hand is still not broadly accepted amongst local Chinese. Superstition has partly held this market back from developing over the past decades, because second-hand clothing was known to come from someone who had passed away or was sold due to lack of money – so buying pre-owned was deemed ‘unlucky’.

Luckily, times have shifted and the pre-owned market is now widely more accepted… So much so that the second-hand market is projected to double over the next five years, growing eleven times faster than the broader retail clothing sector; it’s also set to become twice the size of fast fashion by 2030!

We’ve seen a surge in shoppers shifting their mindset about buying pre-owned, from it being something they were ashamed of to something they’re now proud of. Pre-Covid, we did lots of events and discussions, tackling issues about fashion sustainability and really bringing the community together. The new generation are popularising pre-owned in a big way – and I’m glad we stuck through the hard times to see this market grow and finally break some barriers.

7. What are some simple tips for a more sustainable wardrobe?

If you’re looking for key capsule wardrobe pieces, make sure they will last! Buy better quality pieces from better brands so items are easier to resell should you tire of them afterwards. If you can’t afford high-end brands, shop from luxury consignment stores like HULA, where pieces are a fraction of the price. Shopping pre-owned opens up a world of styles and brands you might never have considered or could afford previously.

Look for fabrics that are easier to maintain or can be cleaned regularly such as silk, cotton, linen-mixes and bamboo rayon or viscose and make sure you don’t over-wash your pieces. To be more sustainable, some pieces can be worn at least 3-7 times before being washed – this will ensure your pieces don’t look old and over-washed too soon.

If you want a more unique look without wearing what everyone is wearing this season, shop vintage items that are unique and not so recognisable. These pieces will become your wardrobe treasures and will help define your look.

And of course, please buy pre-owned fashion! Extending the average lifespan of clothing by just three months of active use per item would lead to a 5-10 percent reduction in its carbon, water and waste footprints. Buying pre-owned really is the quickest way right now – aside from buying nothing – to help solve fashion sustainability.

8. What shade of green are you?

A vintage olive green – it’s such a classic colour and I love vintage style!

Find out more about HULA on their website and Instagram

NEXT: See all ‘8Shades Of‘ interviews

Sign up for the 8Shades weekly newsletter to get our top stories in your inbox!

The post 8Shades Of… Sarah Fung of HULA appeared first on 8Shades.

According to a report by environmental charity Hubbub UK, 82.5% of the materials found in Halloween costumes are plastic. And when you consider how many costumes are thrown away after a single use, it’s estimated that the annual plastic waste generated from the industry is equivalent to about 83 million water bottles – from just one Halloween!

We can, and should, do better. This year, why not look through your closet for some easy costume ideas, host a costume swap with friends, or head to pre-loved secondhand stores like HULA to find something you can reuse over and over again?

We’ve done the heavy lifting for you with the following eight DIY Halloween costume ideas:

1. Squid Game

Jean-Paul Gaultier Long-sleeved Turtleneck and Pants Set

This shimmery two-piece set can be worn separately long after Halloween, meaning it won’t go to waste like most single-use Squid Game costumes. To make it more like the actual track suit seen on the show, add your own white racing tape down the sides of the arms and legs, and finish it off with some numbered stickers on the left chest.

Available on HULA

2. Kate Middleton at the Bond premiere

Dundas Gunmetal and Gold Sequinned Long-Sleeved Maxi Dress

Kate Middleton stunned on the red carpet of the most recent Bond Premiere. To channel her look, grab this gunmetal and gold V-necked maxi dress for the same, stunning effect this Halloween.

Available on HULA

3. Mummy

Fendi Ivory Sleeveless Top

A mummy costume never goes out style, and neither does this Fendi sleeveless top. Pair it with white leggings for the full look, and wear itagain and again with a pair of jeans, black mini skirt or whatever bottoms you have in your closet.

Available on HULA

4. Cruella

Joseph Black and White Abstract Blazer

Save the dalmations – and the environment – with this pre-loved black and white abstract blazer from Joseph. All you need are a black-and-white wig, jumpsuit and thigh-high boots to match, and some blood-red accessories to complete the look.

Available on HULA

5. Karate Kid

Diane Von Furstenberg White Long-sleeved Top With Purple Red Belt

Wax on, wax off… Bring out your inner karate kid with this pre-loved DVF long-sleeved top that can be worn again and again by switching out the belt.

Available on HULA

6. Michael Jackson in Thriller

Acne Studios Red Goat Leather Biker Jacket

Get set to thrill in this red leather biker jacket from Acne, just like the late Prince of Pop himself from his iconic and legendary music video for ‘Thriller’.

Available on HULA

7. Tin (Wo)Man

Ellery Metallic Shiny Silver Sleeveless Layered Drape Mini Dress

Dress like the classic Tin (Wo)Man from Oz with this shiny silver Ellery dress, which will no doubt look just as fab at your next cocktail party.

Available on HULA

8. White Walker from Game of Thrones

Alexander Mcqueen White and Grey Abstract Fur Prints Long-sleeved Mini Dress

From what we hear about the Game of Thrones prequel, the origins of the White Walkers will soon be revealed. Stay ahead of the game by dressing up like one of the grisly characters with this very apt Alexander McQueen mini dress.

Available on HULA

Remember, these DIY Halloween ideas are just the start! Buying secondhand is already better than buying brand new single-use Halloween costumes, but the best thing you can do is to go through your own closet to see what you already have – and what you can make of it. Good luck and let us know what you come up with by tagging us on Instagram @8shadesofficial!

Sign up for the 8Shades weekly newsletter to get all our top stories in your inbox!

See also: 5 most and least sustainable fabrics

The post 8 DIY Halloween Costumes You Can Find On HULA appeared first on 8Shades.