#WEDNESDAY: 'Trouble' by Anna Maksacheff.

For anyone who knows Hannah Pho IRL, you’ll know that her whole aura is so contagious! I’ve always been aware and uncomfortable with non-ethical products. I don’t buy Nestle very often anymore, I thrift a heckload (legitimate measurement) of my clothes, and I try my best to shop at places like Ishka and Oxfam. But Hannah’s KINGDOM pushed me to do something about it a little more drastically – to try and shop AAAALLL THE THINGS ethically.

For me in terms of clothes, that means only buying ethically accredited brands or thrift-ing. For me in terms of other products, well, that’s still a work in progress. I’m aiming to become a vegetarian by the end of the year, for example, because I’m not a fan of animal cruelty either.

My KINGDOM journey started just before I went away to America about 6 weeks ago. So, that was kind of challenging. Luckily there were a few cool brands, such as Uniqlo, American Apparel, and a whole bunch of fun thrift shops in the Mission District of San Fransisco, that I could bring home to Australia. But there were places like Macy’s that tripped me up. It’s hard work, it really is! But I’m learning.

It’s gotten to stage now where I just feel sick even thinking about where my clothes have come from. I can’t walk into places like JayJay’s or Cotton On anymore without wanting to vomit. Knowing that the clothes on your back which you paid $15.00 for was made by a weeping child in a dark, contained factory from a country you’ve never been to… I hope you can understand why I’m not a fan.

The thing about the Western world though is that we are SO obsessed with possession it’s not even funny.

Our society tells us that we need to have all of these different kinds of clothes. And we need it in every single colour. And material. Us girls are expected to buy a new freaking dress for every single formal event! It’s ridiculous. Just plain stupid and dumb.

For me on my personal KINGDOM journey, I’ve had to try my best to walk out of shops that I know I shouldn’t buy in even though I REEEEEAAAALLLY want to. And as a university student, I’m kind of on a budget!

But here’s the truth – you will never be satisfied if you give in to consumerism, and you buy and buy and buy and buy because it’s affordable and it’s an alright choice of clothes to wear.

I decided to write a short parody to convey my struggles when walking into shops that I know I shouldn’t shop at.

I Knew You Were Trouble – T Swizzle (Parody)

Once upon a time A few seasons ago I would buy your clothes You got me alone You found me

And I guess you didn’t care About the small fact Your clothes aren’t made fair But you try sell that To me

I was long gone Standing in your shop And I realize The blame was on me

Cos I knew you were trouble when I walked in So shame on me now Bought clothes made places I’ve never been …Actually I’m from China? I knew you were trouble when I walked in So shame on me now Bought clothes made places I’ve never been But now I’m buying more accredited brands