DIY OR DIE!
by Blanca Carrasco
Since 1915, Citrus College has admitted thousands of students. In 2022, Citrus had an enrollment of over 16,000. That’s about the seating capacity of Madison Square Garden. Each person attending Citrus College adds a unique story to the campus. Faculty, staff, and students have described the fashion culture as “cool” or “comfortable.” Ranging from styles from punk and alternative subcultures to business formal and sleek.
Indifferent from other community colleges, fashion in schools has always been important specifically for the younger demographic playing roles in self-expression, career development, and trends.
COVID-19 had a major impact on the fashion industry and led to a resurgence of DIY (do-it-yourself) clothing. It is interesting that because of the global pandemic, people have been more cautious of their carbon footprint. The Statista Research department conducted a survey and found that 60% of shoppers stated that they started a DIY project during the beginning of the pandemic. The department also found that DIY projects peaked during 2020 with a high of 74% of shoppers responding positively. As of 2021, the department reported that “DIY activity” is at a high of 69%.
So, what if these farming and coal companies are causing carbon emissions and creating tons of waste? This cycle of overproducing clothing items and marketing them for a cheap price will continue to run on the severe problem of environmental damage. Hennepin County writers stated on their official county website that it takes 1,800 gallons (about the volume of a storage unit) of water to make a single pair of blue jeans.
Professor Robert Goodman teaches a variety of science classes at Citrus College. He assists the Natural History Program and the Wildland Forestry Program. Outside of Citrus, he is a herpetologist and a scientist who studies reptiles and amphibians. His love for animals and nature impacted his views on the environmental damage humans are causing at a young age and advocates for sustainable living.
Professor Goodman expresses the importance of living a sustainable life. He defines sustainability as, “utilizing materials in a way today that does not jeopardize the utilization of those materials for future generations.”
He explained that sustainability is the only solution for properly managing resources and long-term sustainability. He mentions that wasting natural resources such as burning coal is a massive problem and is the main cause of carbon emissions being released into the air we breathe.
Professor Goodman also expresses the dangers of using herbicides and pesticides in cotton production companies. One of these herbicides is atrazine.
The United States Environmental Protection Agency describes atrazine as, “a chlorinated triazine herbicide that is used to selectively control annual grasses and broadleaf weeds before they emerge.”
However, the mismanagement of this herbicide has caused cotton farms to suffer. Farmers from the Pioneer Seeds company have stated that corn and cotton should be grown together. Steve Perry is a Brookstead farmer who is a part of the Pioneer Seeds company that explains the benefits of growing cotton and corn together.
“We have found the cotton does well after the corn and the corn does well after the cotton,” Perry said.
“Atrazine is safe for corn and can be applied both before and after corn plants start growing,” he said. “However, it cannot be used on soybeans or cotton.”
The effects of atrazine are not only harmful to crops but also harmful to those who buy these crops that are filled with chemicals.
Atrazine exposure is highly dangerous and can cause congestion, cancer, irritation, muscle spasms, and weight loss, as well as contaminate groundwater through agriculture runoff. It can potentially interfere with the endocrine system and turn testosterone into estrogen which causes imbalances in the body.
Professor Goodman emphasizes that not all companies are created equal and not all of them are sustainably growing their crops without the use of any pesticides, herbicides, and other harmful chemicals. It is important to research where the products being sold come from. Professor Goodman said that the overproduction of goods is equally as harmful.
“It is a waste of natural resources,” he said. “Reusing clothes (and) going to Goodwill for a lot of people is important.”
He believes if you are not growing your own cotton, then the best next thing you could do is recycle as much as possible. Professor Goodman also advises people to not only sustainably source their materials, but instead pursue a long-term sustainable lifestyle for any change to happen.
“We need to progress to more green energy (like) solar panels, windmills, etc,” he said. “Make adjustments when you need to be.”
He continues to pursue a sustainable lifestyle and is very conscious of what he does with old clothing items. He actively donates clothing as well as continues to wear clothing items he’s had for years.
Others have criticized fast fashion corporations for exploiting the fundamentals of DIY fashion. Incidents are being reported that online retailers have stolen designs created by independent retailers. Fashion journalist and advocate for sustainability, Malu Hernandez, explained her experiences after noticing a trend in a popular online retailer.
“I initially thought Shein was only stealing from fashion designers, as they mostly focus on fashion, but it turns out they also take art from illustrators, digital artists, and even painters,” she said. “Shein or factories that Shein sources from, search the internet for artists and small brands and make exact copies of their designs.”
Not only do some of these designers curate their pieces with ethically sourced items found most of the time in their household, but they also pour every ounce of their creativity into the process of innovating.
Malu is an advocate for many small businesses struggling to compete with these unrealistic demands and explains the importance of supporting someone who is ethically conscious.
“Let’s support these (small) businesses by checking out their products and maybe giving them a follow on social media,” she said. “If you decide to purchase something from these businesses, you’ll get a better quality product that was (handmade) with lots of love and precision and will be a lot less harmful (to) the environment than Shein’s products. Plus you’ll be buying from the original creator of the design.”
Citrus College is an example of how DIY culture is still very much alive after the pandemic. Despite Glendora having a reputation for having a conservative population, students here have challenged this narrative.
Citrus student and music major, Trinity Moreno, is an example of the blossoming DIY culture. She is inspired by Japanese Street Style and musicians like Björk, David Bowie, and Lady Gaga. Moreno also expressed her gender fluidity and how it manifests in her style.
“I am always inspired by the wacky people; I love those guys,” she said. “I have been diving into a lot of street clothing and I’ve been trying to emulate a lot of masculine (energy).”
However, she does not limit her boundaries when it comes to fashion.
Moreno is actively into DIY. She is not an amateur when it comes to clothing alterations. She is a strong believer in repurposing clothing items.
“Everything that is broken can be fixed,” she said. “I have stains on my shirt, I might even cut holes in the stains.”
She expressed how proud she was of her creations and emphasized how her ripped shorts became one of her favorite clothing items.
“My work does not allow holes (on your clothing), and I said ‘What if I DIY it,’” Moreno said.
She embraces the inconsistencies of life and is driven by her creativity. Not only does she sew, but she explained how other DIYs are just as enjoyable.
“I am really proud of (the) jewelry I made,” she said. “Just little things like putting masking tape on rings that are too thin to thicken them up.”
She continues to be inspired by her friends and the people around her at school
“I am constantly taking things left and right from people to try out myself, a lot of the music and theater departments here at Citrus are the places to go for inspiration,” Moreno said. “I make sure to compliment anyone that looks amazing.”
As she is a big believer in sustainability, she also emphasizes the importance of staying as authentic as possible in the process.
“You’re going to get so many people who tell you what you’re doing is weird and unusual and then you’re going to get people telling you what you’re doing is cool as f***,” she said. “Don’t be afraid to try out anything you think of (and) outfit repeats are O.K. Recycle, reduce, and reuse. Just go for it and don’t overthink it.”
Other Citrus students like Narcissa Thomas, an anthropology major, have a different approach to DIYs. She categorizes her fashion as “Dark Academia” and is inspired by the Harry Potter movie fashion aesthetic. Although she does not actively DIY her clothing, she finds creative comfort in other DIY activities.
“I’ve been looking into bookbinding,” she said. “I watch a lot of TikTok about rebinding paperback books into hardback books and I think it’s just a cool process.”
Her fashion style has always had elements of DIY culture and she expressed that when she was younger. Cropping shirts was one of her favorite DIYs. Since she has not recently DIYed, she continues to be mindful about ethically sourcing her favorite clothing pieces from thrift stores and other second-hand shops.
Citrus College professor Elisabeth Ritacca teaches U.S. History courses. Being a history major, Professor Ritacca expresses that fashion is not a universal language for her. She describes her current style as comfortable and practical since she bikes actively but her childhood was a completely different story. Growing up, Professor Ritacca shared her experience while shopping for clothes with her mother.
“My mom was super glamorous,” she said. “She was always a bigger risk taker than me, so shopping for clothes was stressful; I still hate shopping for clothes.”
Balancing her mother’s glam while still being modest was difficult for her to navigate as a child. Professor Ritacca also explained that her access to clothing was very limited.
“The closest shop that wasn’t a grocery store was 40 minutes (away),” she said.
However, in her mid-30s, her fashion endeavor was only beginning.
When she first arrived in California, she expressed the culture shock she got. Especially as a woman coming from the Pacific Northwest, she was faced with California’s eccentric fashion culture.
“In high school, when I had a flannel with nice colors on it I was like, ‘I’m dressed up,’” she said. “So when I got to Citrus, I was like ‘Okay I am living in L.A. and I am a professional.’”
Struggling to fit into the Los Angeles aesthetic, she began to question the purpose of the everyday ritual of dressing herself.
“I bought a whole bunch of little jackets and slacks,” Professor Ritacca said. “I felt good, but I felt like I was playing a role.”
Professor Ritacca recalls the global pandemic shutting down everything. As a teacher working from home, she usually dressed comfortably because she was also nursing an infant.
“The pandemic made me feel like only wearing black all the time,” she said.
Being locked at home, Professor Ritacca expressed coming out of the pandemic was a difficult transition for her, but she was not determined to let it interfere with her life.
“Coming away from (the pandemic), I don’t feel like I made the transition back entirely,” she said. “I hate all my clothes from before the pandemic, and so now I just want to wear what I feel like.”
Her endeavor in fashion slowly transitioned to a more confident version of herself as well as becoming more sustainable. She expresses that her hate for dressing in the morning has made her aware of her carbon footprint. Professor Ritacca has begun experimenting with a few things such as quilts.
“I bought a sewing machine,” she said. “I am going to try to learn how to sew.”
Although she does not actively DIY her clothing, she finds comfort in other DIY activities. She is very knowledgeable in making stuffed animals and she also explained how she made a cover seat for her bike.
“It covers the seat which is black (and) gets really hot in the sun, more functional things like that,” she said.
She is open to other DIY clothing activities in the future and has an understanding of the revival of DIY culture.
“I think about that a lot, it is hard to buy expensive high-quality shirts that you can pass down,” she said. “But if you buy a shirt from Target, which we do a lot, they’re worn out within a year and so it’s hard to hand them down, so I think it’s really cool when people have (DIY skills).”
She is an inspiration to many students and not only advises people to continue the sustainability chain but also to be confident when finding their sense of style in the process.
“I think there’s something really wrong with people forcing other people to wear clothes,” she said. “You should feel like yourself with whatever you’re wearing.”
As trends continue to grow, demand has only become higher. So as the consumer, what are some ways people can become more sustainable? Being able to reduce tons of waste is almost impossible for one person to do. It has to be a collective approach. Companies must begin by reducing their unethical sourcing as well as stop paying their workers unlivable wages. Without livable ages, there cannot be an ethically conscious company. So being an advocate is important for environmental improvement to happen.
Ethically sourcing your items through family, friends, and second-hand shops would motivate someone to start a sustainable lifestyle. However, DIY-ing as in reusing and repurposing clothing items lying around your household is just as important for reducing the mass amounts of waste. This not only benefits the environment but changes the trajectory of sustainable living for future generations.
Remember it’s DIY or DIE.
