Mae Tan isn’t just a fashion influencer, content creator and TV personality. The 25-year-old is also an environmental activist.
This may come as a surprise to many. After all, she’s known to have an incredible fashion sense (as seen on her Instagram, @marxmae), which translates to having a walk-in wardrobe full of the latest, trendiest clothes.
However, that isn’t the whole story. Mae says she’s actually an eco-conscious individual who’s constantly trying to reduce her carbon footprint in her daily lifestyle, as well as in fashion.
Whenever she heads out, she brings along reusable bags and a personal bottle to avoid consuming more plastic. She’s also taken part in projects such as the plastic-awareness event with Paul Foster at Marina Barrage Sustainable Museum in 2019, and volunteers regularly at non-profit organisations, like ZeroWaste and BringYourOwnBag Singapore, to encourage others to be more sustainable and environmentally thoughtful.
In fashion, she firmly believes in the first of the 5Rs, which is “Refuse”.
“Always bear in mind that the fashion season changes after six months, and there’ll always be something new to purchase, or a latest collaboration to cop,” she explains. “Refusing these temptations will help you focus on purchasing classic and valuable pieces that can last for a lifetime.”
Apart from this, she recently took up the Wardrobe Reality Challenge, introduced by Vestiaire Collective (VC), to sell past season pieces and taper down her wardrobe.
“It’s a great opportunity that gives me a reality check on being a former fashion victim and to realise a change in my life,” she says. “I’m clearing my wardrobe and letting go of things that, I believe, will help me find the beauty in [consuming] less.”
With the current circuit breaker measures limiting social interaction, one of the plus sides for selling at VC is that you do not need to have a prolonged interaction with anyone. Whenever an item gets sold, all you have to do is attach the relevant shipping labels and invoices (both supplied by VC) and arrange for a courier to pick it up from your doorstep. Everything else – from the handling to the authentication and payout – will be constantly updated on your profile page.
And since the circuit breaker measures have been extended to June 1, there’s no better time to start being more environmentally conscious. You can always take the first step by cleaning out your closet and practising circular fashion.
Need some tips? Mae shares how she sells her items on VC in five fuss-free steps.