3, 2, 1, and action! On Monday, April 12, 2021 at 7.30 pm, you can listen to me via IG LIVE about Sustainable Urban Walks, which I've been leading in Maribor for about 3 years now. Obleka naredi človeka is preparing interesting conversations every week with people who are trying to make fashion more environmentally friendly and this time they also invited me, which I'm very grateful for. The project was developed by Pravična trgovina Slovenija, Ekologi brez meja and Focus - društvo za sonaraven razvoj in which they are looking for solutions to reduce the amount of discarded textile waste and encourage us to use clothing more wisely. See you soon!

It was such a beautiful, very warm summer day and my friend Mateja Holler and I decided to go on a walk around Maribor and take some photos for my blog, which I had just started creating at that time. As we headed towards Lent, we came across the wide open doors of a fashion studio between hidden streets that I had never noticed before, so we entered curiously. At that time, Tanja Uvera had just moved to a new location from Tezno, to a pleasant studio at the Splavarski passage in the city center, and she gladly welcomed every new visitor to meet her.

Together with association Aktiviraj se and Smetka, shop & book caffe we envisioned Swap Caffè as an event where the main thread will be the exchange of clothes, which will also open a space for socializing, connecting and creating new ideas at the local level for the benefit of the environment and human health. With such events, we want to support a sustainable lifestyle, reduce textile waste, raise awareness of socially responsible shopping and promote the local economy.

Fast fashion currently produces so much waste that we can already classify it as the second most polluting industry of this time. This is a problem both from an environmental point of view, as the materials are made and treated with various toxic chemicals, as well as from an ethical point of view, as there is a lot of labor exploitation in the production of the clothes themselves. In the end, however, textile waste often ends up in garbage cans and consequently ends up in landfills where it is not properly recycled or decomposed.

On Thursday, June 18, 2020, we will exchange clothes and ideas in the pleasant nostalgic vintage atmosphere of the Smetka, shop & book caffe on Gosposka street 29 in the center of Maribor, starting at 16.00. The event will take place as part of the project "Our everyday waste", co-financed by the Municipality of Maribor and in accordance with the instructions of the National Institute of Public Health - NIJZ and the Ministry of Health.

EXCHANGE RULES:

• You can bring up to 10 pieces of clothing or fashion accessories to the exchange

• The clothes you bring should be clean, nicely preserved and undamaged (no holes, stains and missing buttons, zippers should work)

• The exchange of clothes will be based on the principle of 1 for 1, regardless of the type of clothing

• Underwear, socks, footwear, promotional T-shirts or other promotional items of clothing are not considered interchangeable clothing

PROGRAM:

16h - 17h: Smetka's welcome,

Presentation and recycling workshop with Recycling Lab.,

Collecting clothes

17h - 19h: Opening and exchange of clothes,

Pleasant socializing and connecting

WELCOME!

It was this time of the year again, when we joined the global #FashionRevolution movement and raise awareness of a more responsible fashion and textile industry. The current crisis we are experiencing in connection with the COVID-19 pandemic has already affected millions of people worldwide, including clothing workers. This year, we therefore preferred to connect locally and want to present fashion designers who are committed to the principles of sustainable clothing production and do not exploit the workforce. By supporting them, we are less polluting the environment, we are socially more responsible, and offer the opportunity to further develop small local business.

Hello my dears! It's been a while since I published my last article that talked about FASHION REVOLUTION in Maribor. Today, however, I would like to share with you my thoughts, feelings, insights and events that have taken place in my life over the last six months. I have to admit that my life has turned upside down during this time and the transition to the new year 2020 has also been very tumultuous and intense. I’m still under the influence of these changes, but I must say that the situation is slowly calming down. I’m comming back to harmony and back to my rhythm, despite all the other events that are just taking place in connection with the coronavirus pandemic.

FASHION REVOLUTION in Maribor! Yes, indeed, Maribor joined the global movement for a more fair, environmentally friendly and transparent textile industry Fashion Revolution in the week between April 22 and April 28, 2019. Why? Because I think it's time to start talking about the reality of today's clothing industry and its impact on the environment and people! The Fashion Revolution in Maribor was carried out with similarly thinking organizations and individuals who are aware of this problem and have been active in this field for a long time. With this campaign, we wanted to make other people aware of the problem of fast fashion, to encourage them to reflection and to offer alternative solutions and opportunities for a more sustainable fashion approach.

In the city of Maribor, it is very pleasant for me to live, even from this point of view, because it contains many good sustainable practices that allow me to live my vision of life, which is more environmentally and people friendly. Sometimes, however, I also need a break from the city bustle and I'm happy to move to the countryside. This time, in the week between May 20 and May 24 2019, I attended the workshop "Life in a Degrowth Community", which was held first in Jarenina Valley and then in Maribor. At the workshop we experienced "Degrowth life" both in theory and in practice. In addition to many new information about the concept itself and some of the already established alternative practices, participants in the training also experienced a self-sustaining life on the farm. I had time to deepen study myself and analyze my daily activities (purchases, nutrition, activities, etc.) from the viewpoint of a more sustainable way of life.

"Fair Trade is a trading partnership, based on dialogue, transparency and respect, that seeks greater equity in international trade. It contributes to sustainable development by offering better trading conditions to, and securing the rights of, marginalized producers and workers – especially in the South.

Fair Trade Organisations have a clear commitment to Fair Trade as the principal core of their mission. They, backed by consumers, are engaged actively in supporting producers, awareness raising and in campaigning for changes in the rules and practice of conventional international trade."

Globally recognised definition, as agreed by the main international Fair Trade networks (WFTO, Fairtrade International and European Fair Trade Association)

Fair Trade Picnic this year WILL BE!

Book FAIR TRADE Picnic on May 11th, write a reminder to the calendar so that you do not forget the picnic blanket and come to the Tivoli park! The second Saturday in May is considered as the International Fair Trade Day and traditionally this day, association Focus and Fair trade Slovenia are celebrating with the other supporters a fair meeting at a picnic in the Tivoli Park. They will also exchange clothing and/or toys this year, share their opinions and useful knowledge, open new views of the world and socialize in a zero-waste anticonsumer spirit.

The program will be very varied, as it will be helped by very different organizations and individuals. Certain already confirmed activities:

• KNEDL's performance: a fun and healthy cook for children and adults;

• Zelemenjava: exchange of seeds, seedlings, domestic delicacies;

• around the world with association Humanitas;

• tournament in the playing of the TradeJack card game Value Add Games;

• knitting for a good purpose with Zanke čez planke;

• speaker angle for the debate on topical issues with Mladi za podnebno pravičnost;

• zero-waste home in practice with Mami na vrtu • Mummy in the garden;

• I will present you my AlterSHOPPING tour URSA Concept;

• we will find out what are preparing, extremely interesting with KOLObocija;

• mini workshop for plant care Zavetišče za zavržene rastline / Abandoned Plants Sanctuary.

See you at the most fair and green picnic in the city - at the Fair Trade picnic!

*In the case of rainy weather we will post the picnic on May 12th and Tivoli will be replaced by Picnic at the hayrack in Podutik.

More info abot event: https://www.facebook.com/events/397945454316841/?active_tab=about

Fair Trade 3MUHE, Movinun and Fashion Revolution Slovenia this year again join in the activities of FASHION REVOLUTION WEEK, which is now present already for the sixth year all around the world. This year's main activities are being prepared before the start of FASHION REVOLUTION WEEK on Sunday, 14 April 2019, starting at 11.00.

They invite you to join them at the FIRST EXCHANGER OF CERTIFIED CLOTHING. You can take part in it if you have certified clothes in cabinets and would like to replace them for other certified clothing. You will also be able to arrange for the purchase of used certified clothing in exchange for those who do not have such clothing. Sign in via the form here: https://goo.gl/forms/jMT1KER26P0p2qLV2.

In addition to the exchange, they are also preparing an ETHICAL TRANSFORMATION, within which you will be dressed in ethical clothing (Movinun), ecological make-up (ZAO Make Up Slovenija) and pictured (Photo Association Fotorama). Book your term here: https://goo.gl/forms/wxgg8jpE1c8QGzL03.

This day and till the end of the FASHION REVOLUTION (until the end of April) you will be able to purchase some Movinun products (sale of samples and supplies) in the 3MUHE Fair store exclusively.

More info about event: https://www.facebook.com/events/2294652747469481/

See you there ;)

Alternative shop Smetka is located on Gosposka Street 29 in the very center of Maribor and offers visitors the possibility of alternative shopping. Every product is carefully selected, has its own story and a positive background with social impact. By knowing what you buy, the consumer is more responsible and contributes to the development of the local, social and green economy. Products that are offered in the store are products of Slovenian social enterprises, organic farms, cooperatives and fair trade.

Where and how to start with responsible shopping?

One of the first steps towards a more sustainable way of life was when I decided to make a more conscious, thoughtful and responsible purchases. Previously, when I was buying in conventional shops I have never wondered where the products come from, in what conditions they were produced and whether they are good for my health at all. And after completing purchases, more and more waste was collected in the waste bin at my home. Every purchase has its consequences! And when I started to realize this, I became increasingly aware of the choice about consumption of goods.

Do not hold your eyes closed, we are all carrying the consequences!

I want to share with you some of the moments that I have captured for eternity from the protest of the YOUTH FOR CLIMATE JUSTICE in Maribor on 15 March 2019. I am proud that the young people gathered in such a large number and showed that we care about the future of the planet and its inhabitants. By doing this, I also want to inspire you to make new changes, which we can start to make as individuals today!

... in SMETKA, Alternative shop and book caffe, when my friend Julia for the first time invited me on a fair tade coffee Buna! I began to ask myself a bunch of questions! I started wondering what is a fair trade coffee? What is the meaning of Alternative shop? And what did Julia mean by saying that she is selling socially responsible products in the store?