S8 Ep14 CHEMITEI JANET: Kenya-based slow fashion educator - on sustainable waste management around Gikomba market in Nairobi, and the reality of overproduction in the fashion industry.

S8 Ep14 CHEMITEI JANET: Kenya-based slow fashion educator - on sustainable waste management around Gikomba market in Nairobi, and the reality of overproduction in the fashion industry.

Author: Emily Stochl April 29, 2024 Duration: 1:11:44

Pre-Loved Podcast is a weekly vintage fashion interview show, with guests you'll want to go thrifting with! For more Pre-Loved Podcast, subscribe to our Patreon!

On today's show, we're chatting with Chemitei Janet. Chemitei Is an environmentalist and slow fashion educator based in Kenya. She does storytelling and educational work in sustainable waste management for organizations like Greenpeace Africa, Clean Up Kenya, and Threading Change, and her mission is to highlight the reality of waste and the fashion industry in Kenya. 

On today's show, we talk about how Chemitei got into secondhand clothing, her love of crochet, and the incredible local upcycling community in her area. Plus, we unpack the challenges of sustainable waste management in and around Gikomba market in Nairobi – Chemitei believes the market brings into perspective the reality of overproduction and overconsumption in the fashion industry and it is important that everyone sees what really happens to clothes that end up in countries where they're not necessarily needed.

I really loved getting to speak with her and learn more about sustainability from her point of view – I think you're going to really enjoy this episode, so let's dive right into it! 

DISCUSSED IN THE EPISODE:

  • [4:05] Chemitei's experiences with fashion and the secondhand market growing up.
  • [11:58] The different kinds of secondhand markets she visited in Kenya over the years.
  • [14:57] Whether she knew it or not, Chemitei grew up with a lot of sustainability values from her family.
  • [30:47] Why there is so much secondhand clothing in Kenya today.
  • [33:40] The Changing Markets Trashion Report, and how the state of the secondhand clothing in Kenya has changed. Today, 20–50% of the used-clothing in bales they buy is unsellable due to poor quality.
  • [52:31] The upcycling community in and around Gikomba market and throughout Nairobi. 
  • [1:05:00] The most cherished pieces in Chemitei's closet. 

EPISODE MENTIONS: 

LET'S CONNECT: 

SPECIAL THANKS: 

A special thanks goes out to my Patron Insiders – your support makes Pre-Loved Podcast possible!

  • Patty Weber
  • Beverley Docherty of Wolfe Pack Vintage
  • Danny of Galaxy Live
  • Kathy Brand
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  • Leslie V.
  • Lisa of Queenie & Pearl
  • Lucille of Galipette Vintage
  • KT 
  • Lydia Welp
  • Anastacia Banicke of Goods & Provisions
  • Michael A.
  • Megan Morris

 


Every week, Emily Stochl invites you into a conversation that goes far beyond the clothing rack. Pre-Loved Podcast with Emily Stochl is built on the idea that every second-hand garment has a past, and that exploring those histories makes our present style more meaningful. Rather than just offering shopping tips, each episode feels like sitting down with a fascinating friend who shares your passion for vintage, digging into the many layers of what it means to wear pre-owned fashion. You’ll hear from a diverse range of guests-from collectors and stylists to entrepreneurs and historians-as they explore not only personal style but also the practicalities of running a resale business, the complexities of the global second-hand market, and the environmental ethos behind choosing used over new. The heart of this podcast lives in those incredible stories: the serendipitous flea market find, the garment that carries a decade of memories, or the simple, powerful act of giving a piece a new life. Emily guides these discussions with genuine curiosity, making each topic accessible whether you're a seasoned thrifter or just curious about sustainable fashion. It’s a thoughtful, engaging look at how what we wear connects to culture, art, beauty, and the kind of mindful consumption that can reshape an industry. Tune in for a fresh perspective that celebrates the character, sustainability, and deep personal connection found in pre-loved fashion.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

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