Sustainable Fashion with Miss Earth USA Air 2024

Get ready for the ultimate breakdown of sustainable fashion with your Miss Texas Earth USA 2023, and newly crowned Miss Earth USA Air 2024, Sofia Terrazas! (Find her on Instagram)

Sofia's platform is all about sustainable fashion, and she has devoted her reign to making strides in her community that draw attention to the tangible ways that people can get involved with the slow fashion movement. I was honored to be able to interview her for this two-part segment on her mission, experience, and advice for anyone who wants to become a part of the solution to the textile crises!

Can  you share a bit about your journey in the sustainable and ethical fashion space? What inspired you to delve into this area, and how has your perspective evolved over time?

"Growing up I always knew that fashion and environmentalism were both things that I was deeply passionate about. I was 8 years old when I had my first ecology class, and learned about how our actions and choices immensely impacted our planet. On the other hand, fashion has always been a tool for me to express my identity and as I grew older I began to notice that what I wore deeply affected the way I felt, such as my confidence level. 

Despite my love for our planet, when I was younger I didn’t think much about how my fashion choices and shopping habits affected our environment. As I grew older, and especially in the last 5 years or so, I was forced to open my eyes and truly see the detrimental effect that this industry was having on our planet.

Because of my deep love for fashion I knew I wanted to continue being involved in this industry, yet I realized that some things had to change in order for my passion to also align with my values, and this is when I decided to learn about sustainable fashion."

In  your opinion, what are the key challenges currently faced by the fashion industry in adopting more sustainable and ethical practices, and how do you think these challenges can be addressed?

"I think that COVID-19 deeply impacted our habits as consumers, leading to increased online shopping which contributed greatly to the fast fashion movement. Today, fast fashion prioritizes quick and inexpensive production due to the constant demand for new styles at an affordable price, but as everything else in life, it comes at a cost, and in this case it’s the planet we call home.

I believe  that these challenges can be addressed not only by creating awareness about the environmental and social impacts of fast fashion, but also by educating our communities on sustainable and circular fashion practices such as promoting second hand shopping and upcycling." 

 How do you approach curating your wardrobe to align with sustainable and ethical principles? Are there specific brands or materials you prioritize, and what criteria do you use when making fashion choices?

"To begin with, I promised myself I would completely stop buying from fast fashion, online retailers such as Shein and Zaful which are associated with extremely rapid and low-cost production. Instead I opted for prioritizing local stores and boutiques to support small businesses in my city as well as my local economy, including second hand clothing stores where many times I end up finding a large amount of items from fast fashion retailers either way. 

Of course, from time to time I do end up shopping at places such as Zara and H&M. While still considered fast fashion, these companies have taken steps towards sustainability  such as offering conscious collections and engaging in recycling initiatives. However, despite these initiatives, I still try to stay away from these retailers as much as I can, and only shop there when I can’t find what I am looking for elsewhere. 

Finally, something I am working on is finding more quality, and timeless pieces to build my wardrobe with. Even though  these garments come at  a higher price-point, they generally also have a longer life-span, reducing the need for frequent replacements and minimizing overall consumption, as well as my  environmental footprint."

As a  titleholder, how do you use your platform to promote awareness about sustainable and ethical fashion practices? What strategies do you find most effective in encouraging your audience to make more conscious fashion choices?

"As a titleholder, I use my platform to advocate for sustainable and ethical fashion practices by actively engaging my audience in educational initiatives. I decided that labeling my platform would provide clarity and identity to the cause, making it easier for people to understand its purpose and goals, which is why I came up with  “Wear The Change: A Sustainable Fashion Movement” 

Through social media, interviews, and public appearances, I use both my title and my social awareness initiative “Wear The Change” to share valuable insights about the environmental and social impacts of fashion choices, promoting awareness and encouraging more conscious consumer behavior. I highlight the importance of supporting brands with transparent and ethical practices, showcase sustainable fashion alternatives, and emphasize the long-lasting impact of making mindful choices. 

By leveraging my influence, I aim to inspire positive change in the fashion industry and empower my audience to make choices that align with sustainability and ethics."

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This type of proactive thinking is exactly what it will take to create the change that we need! Our aim is to displace the damage done to the lives of garment workers, the environment, and the integrity of the fashion industry, and it was an honor speaking to Sofia about her journey.

Come back next week for part 2/2 of Sofia's interview!