Sally Garcia of @callmeflowerchild is a Mexican-Salvadoran mindful closet advocate. When she’s not using her platform to share her favorite sustainable looks and advocating for people to head outdoors, she’s volunteering with her local community and helping BIPOC communities enjoy the outdoors. We spoke to Sally about her impact and her journey with sustainable fashion.
Please introduce yourself!
Hi! My name is Sally and I am a conscious closet and lifestyle content creator by night over at @callmeflowerchild on Instagram. I’m also a park planner and park access advocate by day.
How did your journey with sustainable fashion begin?
I have enjoyed thrifting since my early 20s, but didn’t get into what is now the ethical fashion community and space until five years ago. I knew fast fashion was bad when I learned about sweatshops in high school, but it wasn’t until I saw the documentary “the True Cost” that I knew I had to switch gears and stop supporting fast fashion completely. When I made that switch, I focused on thrifting and buying secondhand on eBay and Instagram, because it’s what I could truly afford. Thankfully, I am now able to support more newer pieces from ethical and sustainable brands, however secondhand clothing will always be my first and favorite choice!
How do you see your role within your platform and community? What is your intention for your platform?
Ouf, this is such a great question. I see my role on my platform as someone who serves as a messenger. Whether that’s sharing other people's messages, or connecting them to other creators.
My intention for my platform is to advocate for everyone that the outdoors is for you and there is no wrong way to do the outdoors. I want people to feel seen and validated in their experience as BIPOC in the sustainable fashion space and the outdoors!
You’re an advocate for outdoor use for all - can you share a bit about that?
Yes! As someone who didn’t visit her first National Park until I was 23 due to limited resources and access to these spaces, the issues surrounding park access for underserved communities and park advocacy became my passion. I have been able to lead hikes for communities like mine out to nature, and for many of those communities, it’s their first time.
I just love how much their faces light up when they visit park spaces near them that they did not know existed, or when they find out about programs that could drive them to these spaces, free of cost! I am also a member of the National Parks Conservation Association Next Generation Advocacy Council, alongside many diverse and like-minded individuals. We organize and advocate for access, diversity, maintenance, and other issues surrounding the National Park system. Outdoor spaces have a history of being very white, and part of being an advocate for the outdoors is advocacy for BIPOC communities and letting them know that these spaces are FOR YOU! They are YOUR PARKS!
What are some practices that you’re exploring in your own personal life as a climate activist?
Outside of social media I am really trying to get directly involved with my community. I think that’s one of the areas as individuals that we can have the greatest impact on.
What are three books, articles or podcasts that you’d recommend for people to learn more about the climate or sustainable fashion?
For books I highly recommend:
- Toxic Communities: Environmental Racism, Industrial Pollution, and Residential Mobility by Dorceta Taylor
- Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer
For Podcasts:
Instagram Accounts:
Are there three brands or items that you personally love in the sustainability space?
Stojo of course! The coffee cups and the bowl are AMAZING! I also absolutely love Wasi Clothing which is a small ethical and sustainable fashion brand here in Los Angeles. David's Natural toothpaste is my absolute favorite low waste toothpaste.
If there was one thing you wanted people to know about climate, what would it be?
I want people to know that your best efforts are good enough! We all have different resources available to us and what you do with what you have is GREAT!