31) The Reality of the Secondhand Clothing Trade with Nikissi Serumaga of VINTAGE OR VIOLENCE

When we think about sustainable fashion, we often think about the supply chain of a garment: the fabrics, dyes, and worker rights along the way. But increasingly, the reverse supply chain of clothes — i.e. the secondhand supply chain — is also becoming part of the sustainable fashion conversation.

 

To dive deeper into this topic, I interviewed Kampala-based filmmaker Nikissi Serumaga, who I have been wanting to speak to for months, and I was so humbled and excited that she agreed to come on this show. 

 

Nikissi is the creator, director, and co-host — along with Bobby Kolade — of VINTAGE OR VIOLENCE, a six part limited podcast series that explores the world of secondhand clothing from a Ugandan perspective.

 

In this episode, you'll hear Nikissi share:

• + The complex reverse supply chain that donated or recycled clothes go through,
• + The social and economic impacts of secondhand clothing imports in Uganda,
• + Who is really benefiting from this so-called circular fashion system or secondhand trade,
• + Why Uganda — or other countries in East Africa — don't just ban the import of secondhand clothes, as is often suggested.

 

 

 

FULL SHOW NOTES & TRANSCRIPT:

https://www.consciouslifeandstyle.com/secondhand-clothing-trade-vintage-or-violence/

 

 

LINKS MENTIONED:

• “Charity has become commerce.”, a quote by Andrew Brooks
• Vintage or Violence Podcast
• AGOA Act
• (Article) Secondhand fashion: Is it really good for Africa?
• (Article) This Is Not Your Goldmine. This Is Our Mess. by Liz Ricketts

 

 

CONNECT WITH NIKISSI & VINTAGE OR VIOLENCE: 

• Vintage or Violence Podcast
• Vintage or Violence Instagram: @2ndhandviolence
• Instagram: @thisiskissi

 

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