Horrible discovery led to sustainable creation
A MUM abandoned her fashion company after learning the truth about her stock.
Victoria Lee stepped down as CEO of her fast fashion brand Petra’s Wardrobe after investigating where the garments she was flogging came from.
The 27- year- old, who lives in Partick, was stunned to realise the working conditions sweatshop workers endured that allowed her to buy cheap items and flog them for profit.
Now she is dedicating her life to promoting second- hand shopping by becoming an award- winning sustainable stylist.
Victoria told the Glasgow Times: “I have always been extremely interested in fashion and wanted a career in the industry.
“When I fell pregnant, I decided to launch my own business which involved buying cheaper stock in bulk then selling it for profit.
“A customer then asked who made the clothes which made me do research and I honestly couldn’t believe it when I found out, I felt sick.
“The workers had been getting paid just pennies and there were child labour investigations. I knew I couldn’t be part of anything like that.
“I donated all my leftover stock to a charity and vowed to stay away from fast fashion.
“You just don’t learn this kind of thing in school so it is easy to be ignorant, I want to help people understand now because I didn’t.”
Victoria has loved fashion since she was a young girl after being inspired by her creative grandmother June.
She relied on charity shops from a young age but believes this helped her grow her own personal style and become resourceful, and she now helps people rebuild their wardrobes from secondhand pieces.
She said: “I think we have gotten to a point that people rely on convenience and don’t see their
clothes as an investment anymore.
“Next day delivery is so easy and people don’t have the time to go around charity shops to collect good quality interesting pieces.
“I create bundles for them after learning their individual style to make sustainable fashion more accessible for everyone.
“I also help people on all different kinds of budgets so anyone can get involved.
“I grew up around charity shops out of necessity but now it is my favourite way to shop.
“Fun outfits are such a great way to express yourself and feel confident, it just doesn’t have to be a harmful process.”