80/20 rule
In keeping with the Pareto Principle, there is a rough statistic floating around that we wear 20% of our wardrobe 80% of the time, and yet most of us still complain of having nothing to wear.
As a personal stylist, I have the intimate privilege of meeting many people and getting to know them through their closets – sometimes skeletons and all. It is an incredibly private and brave decision to let a stranger rummage through your racks, and often comes during a time of transition, upheaval, celebration or change. Our clothing is personal artifact, interlaced with threads of nostalgia that are woven over time and often we are loathe to let go. We hold on, hang up and put away those old favourites and go out and spend money on making new memories – not all of which suit us.
sustainable shopping within your own wardrobe
My sustainable quest is to open up closet doors, dust off the cobwebs and bring life to those forgotten familiars. I seek to alleviate the retail urge and reduce offshore fast-fashion consumption by custom-tailoring existing garments to truly flatter the individual form. Bringing fresh perspective and an inspired eye for detail, I strive to shop within existing wardrobes, sharing new style ideas to flatter and add personal confidence and flare. Intrinsic to this quest is the desire to be more gentle with one’s self; to embrace the body we live in today, not the one we hope for tomorrow.
Along the way I love to share styling, storage and sewing skills, and to encourage sustainable shopping habits.
Starting July 2010, my personal pledge is to not spend a single cent on clothing for the length of one year (underwear excluded). I pledge I will shop from within my own wardrobe, re-styling and redesigning both my existing wardrobe and the motley collection of op-shop garments, fabrics and trims that I have accumulated.
As a busy mum, living in the country and still working in the city, my daily look can vary from high-function to high-fashion with many frocks in between. The second challenge of my personal project lies in exploring my own visual identity within this new hybrid style and making the time to create and document the process.
Oh, and I’m trying to not wear so much black…
My name is Kim Kneipp. I'm a sustainable designer, personal stylist and workshop facilitator. l work in Melbourne, Australia and am known as the 
In a bid to pacify the retail urge and reduce fast-fashion consumption I custom-tailor existing garments to truly flatter the individual form. Bringing fresh perspective and an inspired eye for detail, I shop within existing wardrobes, sharing new style ideas that flatter the figure whilst building confidence and flare. Intrinsic to this quest is the desire to encourage acceptance of one's physical self; to embrace the body we live in today, not the one we hope for tomorrow.
Hi Kim,
Your personal quest sits very close to some pacts I’ve made with myself lately. Unfortunately I am not quite so brave as you [in cutting out purchases entirely], but I have recently decided to make 1 garment for every dress/top/skirt bought this year so far… and a friend and I have decided to trade a garment a month, like a library service, to add more variation also. And, like you, to not wear so much black… Love your work!
Hi M,
I’m a big believer in small steps paving the way for bigger changes and think what you’re doing is great! Imagine if everyone was making and/or altering one of their existing garments for each new garment they bought – surely it would mean more thought and perhaps more money would be spent on quality, investment purchases that will stand the test of time.
I also love your library service – and have images of you somehow sorting your wardrobe according to the dewey-decimal system. Have you ever been to a clothing exchange. They’re now run all over the country, but were first established in Melbourne in 2004 and are still going strong. You can take a handful of garments, receive buttons as your bartering currency and share and swap your unworn lovelies with mindful others. Thanks for sharing – I love your ideas too!