CLEAN ISLAND LIVING
CARA G MCILROY CLEANS OUT HER CLOSET IN THE NAME OF SUSTAINABLE FASHION. SHE OPENS UP TO DARA CHAU ABOUT HER FASHION CHOICES ENCOURAGING A GREENER LIFESTYLE AND INVITES US IN FOR A SNEAK PEEK OF HER WARDROBE
Model, TV presenter, entrepreneur and mother of three, Cara G McIlroy made her name during the hype of Eurasian modelling back in the early 2000s. Since then, the fashion and beauty maven has graced the covers of major titles in Hong Kong and abroad. As her career in NasPion Pas inAE]enced Per personal sense oN style and wardrobe choices, we can’t help but wonder what the inside of this supermodel’s closet looks like. Is there an endless rotation of dresses, tops, skirts and pants in a closet styled after Cher’s in Clueless? Are there shelves and shelves of handbags coordinated by colour, size and cross-referenced by brands? How many pairs of power pumps, strappy sandals and sneakers does she own?
Unlike the fantastical imagination of a fashion hoarder’s dream, McIlroy surprises us with her down-toearth wardrobe. Her concern for sustainability and the environment has driven her to make smart and conscientious fashion choices. Building an eco-friendly wardrobe over the years, she further demonstrates her support for the environment and Earth Day, which marked its 50th anniversary this year, by taking on Vestiaire Collective’s Wardrobe Reality Check Challenge. ?e talSed to Per to find o]t more aJo]t tPe initiati^e how she recycles her children’s clothing, and the ways in which she Marie-Kondos her closet.
Tell us about your partnership with Vestiaire Collective. What attributes do you and Vestiaire Collective share?
I’m a fan of Vestiaire Collective and have always appreciated companies that care for the environment. We both believe in the idea of a circular lifestyle. I love vintage and Vestiaire Collective is a treasure trove for vintage lovers like myself. I’ve also been a fan of pre-loved fashion for years, so it made a lot of sense for us to collaborate.
Why did you participate in the Wardrobe Reality Check Challenge’?
It was the perfect time for me to support a fun challenge liSe tPis Nor two main reasons" first as 1¼m in tPe process of moving house, a good clean out is necessary and overdue; secondly, I like to jump on board and support companies tPat maSe e ٺ orts in tPe name oN s]stainaJility 1 tPinS as an inAE]encer and model it¼s a responsiJility 1 have — given the current position our earth is in. If I can persuade even just one follower to change some small bad habits, that’s worth it for me.
What was the hardest thing in your wardrobe for you to give up?
I think things I don’t wear ever, but for some reason I have a strange attachment to. I did keep a few of these pieces liSe tPe tee my 0]JJy was wearinO tPe first time 1 met Pim and o]r first /enie sta ٺ tee J]t tPe rest 1 let Oo oN
What in your closet could you never give up?
My Burberry trench and Gucci woollen trench. They’re timeless capsule pieces I want to hand to my girls one day.
What are the main things you consider when buying fashion?
Will I wear it and will it last a few years down the line.
Now that you have three children, how has that a ٺ ected your JuyinO for the Sid[?
I seldom buy clothes for them. I do a lot of jobs for children’s brands, so we get given so much. The rest I swap with a little tribe of mommy friends. It’s so perfect and it’s so beautiful when you see your best friends’ kids in your kids’ clothes. It makes all those wonderful memories of them wearing them come back to life. It’s truly special.
How has island living changed your style?
1 tPinS 1¼^e always Jeen a JeacP Oirl 1 definitely wear swimsuits more now than when I lived in the city. Just a more casual and relaxed style now, since I’m always at the beach.
,e[criJe your o ٺ duty looS ,o you have a default look?
Boho style and a bit of neutral tones. I used to hate athleisure, but now I’m in it a lot since I’ve had kids. It makes me feel like I’m working out as I chase them around. 0ow much of your clo[et i[ [econd hand vintage?
I’d say about 10-15 percent of my closet is vintage and second-hand.
How else are you supporting green living?
I try to support a lot of sustainable brands now, because I’ve become more informed about the damage the fashion industry causes to the environment. Whenever I shop, I make sure it’s pieces I really really love and they’re basic pieces that I’ll wear forever.
In your opinion, how realistic is sustainability in Hong Kong? What are some of the biggest challenges you’ve been faced with?
Sustainability is just as realistic in Hong Kong as it is anywhere else [in the world]. It’s the small changes we make every day that make big impacts, so it doesn’t really matter where you live. For example, we can reduce plastic use, avoid single-use cutlery, switch to bamboo tootPJr]sPes Oet refill pacSaOes Nor prod]cts s]pport sustainable brands and swap clothes with friends, and so on. These are basic things that everyone can do and there’s no excuse wherever you live. The hardest thing to be sustainable with is probably food choices in Hong 3onO 1t¼s Pard to find Oood Y]ality and s]stainaJle produce here. For example, in Australia, it’s easier to buy Y]ality and s]stainaJle prod]ce locally J]t in 0onO
Kong there’s not a lot of local choices available. But there are still other things to be done in Hong Kong. For instance, taking public transport is convenient because everyone is always in the city, whereas in Australia, everything is so spread out that public transport isn’t the easiest way “I LIKE TO SUPPORT COMPANIES THAT MAKE AN EFFORT IN THE NAME OF SUSTAINABILITY”