Palanta Magazine | Issue 01

Palanta

A B O U T U S

Palanta is a community-driven fashion rental platform exclusively offering items from responsible brands and ethical designers Rent our curated collection via monthly memberships or a flexible pay-as-you-rent option

Palanta is more than just a fashion rental platform we are an inclusive community Let this magazine be a permanent mark for these trailblazers, trendsetters and change makers L e t ' s T H I N K , L I V E , B U Y a n d , u l t i m a t e l y , B E r e s p o n s i b l y

HAPPY HELÈNE

BE—

—respon sibly

FFounder's letter

Every thought you think, every word you speak, every action you take plants seeds in the world and others With you, a real difference is being made, and it doesn't matter how small your steps are they matter

At Palanta, we are growing a conscious community of thinkers, talkers and actiontakers who dare to change and dare to take steps to live a conscious life and create a circular wardrobe We appreciate every seed of change, and we are here with you along the way

This magazine stands for our belief in conscious decisions and responsible actions Together with other responsible initiatives, we bring you a dose of evergreen motivation to have a more conscious life and way of dressing up

Two years of Palanta: a seed planted to build this dream founded on a supporting team, ethical fashion brands and meaningful collaborations All this to grow a conscious fashion rental community and an endless wardrobe

We are on our way to growing bigger, and we invite you to join our circular movement in the name of THINK , LIVE , BUY , and ultimately, BE responsibly

SARA DEVENYI FOUNDER

er'

TIDE OR'SLETTER

Being, just simply being, is so underrated. We are programmed to go, do, achieve, succeed, strive, thrive, strive to thrive— you name it. The harsh truth is, the world of sustainability is not completely immune to this either.

There is always so much more you can do to make your lifestyle less harmful to the planet—always racing the climate clock. Yet authenticity comes from being in touch with yourself; to be still and be enough, to be worthy simply for who you are—even on your mean days—and not measured by what you tick off on life’s endless to-do list.

Even breathing takes work sometimes, and we should acknowledge that. By the way, you are doing great just by breathing right now.

To BE—responsibly is to focus on simply being first and how we can implement meaningful, sustainable steps second. We don't necessarily have to shop responsibly, we need to above all BE—responsibly and everything else will follow. That is what these few pages are all about. So, embrace your authentic self without inner expectations or external pressure. BE—responsibly for yourself, others, and the planet.

Starting in three, two, one simply breathe

MARTINA NOVAKOVA EDITOR

H A P P Y

H E L È N E

Always looking on the bright side, Helène Klein is the founder of the happy, gender-free and colourful brand STUDIO HEEY, distinguished by its unique jewellery and norm-breaking apparel line Helène gives us a behind-the-scenes view into her positive mind and creative process, with sustainability written all over it Among other things, the fashion designer shares what made her start her outspoken studio and what keeps her going in her creative endeavours and her universally happy life.

STUDIOHEEY—STUDIOHE

Credits: Yvette Glasius

When I was at the Art Academy, in my fourth or third year, I started to do screen printing, then moved to screen printing on textiles. From there on, I got into fashion. I was always into fashion as an art form but wasn’t sure of myself to go all in. At that point, I was just like: Okay, I am going to try this.

After I graduated, I just experimented a whole lot. Throughout the experimentation process, I realised I don’t have to be perfect. I don’t have to know every skill that a fashion designer learns. I can teach myself, go in my direction and just try my own stuff. It has taught me you need passion because you can learn everything. Without passion, you will not get anywhere.

What specifically prompted you to start your own studio?

I always loved creating, but also sharing it with other people. While creating is very gratifying in itself, there is even more happiness, love and joy when you share it with others. It's beautiful to witness that reflection in someone else's eyes or when it mirrors back onto you. That's why I decided to start my studio, to share myself and my art with the world.

What is the mission of Studio Heey to you, Helène?

To me, the mission is to reach as many people as possible, to make them happy, share something unique with them and give them a feeling of self-worth. That is because it's also hard to express yourself sometimes.

At the STUDIO HEEY, everyone is welcome to be there, to be themselves and express themselves, and also share that with other people. To be able to show yourself to others and feel welcome is what STUDIO HEEY is all about.

I think it's essential that even when we're not the same - or even if we don't understand each other — to listen and talk with each other, knowing in the back of our minds that we're both just trying to understand each other better.

Perspex is a plastic plate material that you can laser cut with a laser cutter, creating all the shapes and engraving them. Well, I always wanted to make jewellery, but I'm not a goldsmith, so I thought I didn't know how to do it. Then a colleague of mine said: “Well, my husband has a laser cutting company, and if you draw something, you can easily make it.”

The laser cutter reads the drawing and cuts it out of various materials - wood, fabric, leather, and Perspex. It's a very sharp, clean-cut material. The colours of Perspex spoke to me —very fun, colourful, and bright. As I said, it has a nostalgic feeling - a little childlike. It has this innocent happiness to it. So that's how it practically works.

Taking it from another angle, I think it's the way I approach the process of designing. My work is drawings configured into laser-cut items, which makes them 3-D. I think that's what makes them unique. I know more people create items from perspex and laser cutting — it is not a new technique. I translate 2-D designs into 3-D, but they are still very 2-D looking. That makes the designs unique, with a nostalgic feeling to them.

Perspex is a flat material, putting as many shapes next to each other in the program I try to use as much material as possible, but there will always be little space left in between. But I can send those back to get them recycled again, making new plates out of the rest material.

Recently I switched to a Perspex reseller company that provides a complete recycled Perspex line. I can also send my waste back to them, and they recycle it again into new materials. It's perfect.

If you could choose one thing, what differentiates your studio from the rest?

You mentioned using Perspex and laser cutting. Can you tell us more about that? What is it — and how does it work?

I'm just curious, how do you source the material? And what about waste?

Helène, how did you get into fashion and arts?

"TO BE ABLE TO SHOW YOURSELF TO OTHERS AND FEEL WELCOME SOMEWHERE IS WHAT STUDIO HEEY IS ALL ABOUT. "

Credits: Yvette Glasius

Maybe about where my ideas of the designs come from? My jewellery collection is about nostalgia mixed with my adolescent views on things. I guess because when I was a kid I struggled with internalised misogyny. I didn't want to wear pink at one point anymore. I was only wearing black because being too girly wasn't cool.

At one point, when I got older, I was like: "Okay, I don't have to wear black because I think people will think I'm cool. I just want to wear what I want to wear.” And that's also where the creative jewellery making came from — losing all of the internalised misogyny.

And for me, the shapes are just very childlike, but that's what I love. Those little hearts and little flowers and just happy smiles.

It was weird because, as a child, I was really into pink, Barbies and also Lego. I just did everything that I wanted. At one point, people in the world started telling you things, and you just let go of all those things you love. And right now, I'm just re-gathering the things that I love and that make me happy back around me again.

With fashion items, I do one collection a year, always accompanied by new jewellery designs to bring the vision together. This year, I launched the collection about two months ago, limited to 15 unique pieces. You can still buy a few of them, but some are already reserved or sold.

Some brands use the word unisex, but that is still very gendered because, ultimately, unisex indicates the items are the same for both genders, but there's more than one gender. I think that gender-free is the best description because it has a more positive outlook. I found the word unisex or genderless rather grey Gender-free sounds better because it implies freedom. It's for everyone. It's for all humans.

My next question was supposed to be: "What is your creative process behind the jewellery?" But I feel like we’ve covered it. Is there anything you’d like to add?

We talk a lot about your jewellery line, but you also design fashion items some of which Palanta carries in its collection. Can you share more about that?

What made you decide to make your brand gender-free? "GENDER-FREE

Credits: Lieke Vroomen

I try to work sustainably as much as possible, including upcycling some of my clothes that are difficult to resellmaybe there's a little scratch or a little stain or something. There are many ways to restore clothing, use it again and create new pieces. In the last collection, I did a lot of upcycling designs, too.

photographers and models to work together with my immediate environment.

To me, it means just making small everyday changes in your life. Together with my boyfriend, we recently switched to skipping meat five days a week and only try to eat meat when we eat out. So in the past few weeks, we've been trying to do that, and we didn't even notice the switch.

There are such easy things to do, but I know many households that don’t do it. I understand when people say there is a lot of stuff we can't do because large companies need to take responsibility. Of course, this is true. But I think there's a lot we can also do on our own. Like me and my boyfriend, we check our energy consumption a lot. Not because of the current prices, but because we want to use very little. And we’re quite proud of it. It’s the little things: turning off lights when we’re not in the room, also switching off all the plug-ins, you know. It's just about repeating these small, everyday actions that will — if we do it all together make a big difference.

To be honest, I'm not actively "doing" mindfulness. I meditate from time to time but not like sitting down in my room for 20 minutes. When I meditate, it doesn't matter where I am. It could be at work, at the train station. I just close my eyes and take a moment to listen to my surroundings, to feel my energy flowing through my body. That's how I meditate for myself sometimes.

What I find mindful is keeping my house clean and organised because it gives me peace of mind. It's again the little things. I like putting everything in place, giving the room a nice energy.

There are also moments when we sit on the couch together, just sitting there, looking at our living room. It's good. Nothing to add. Being in the moment and appreciating everything we have because there are a lot of people not having much. And there are a lot of moments during our week where we remind each other of that. We have so much, and we're doing very well. We are very grateful that we have had opportunities in our lives. We are very fortunate.

Given your brand’s key attribute is happy/happiness, what makes you happy at the moment?

Well, I'm naturally a happy person. Of course, not everything is always all roses. It's okay to feel everything that there is. There's no shame in that.

To your question, what makes me happy at the moment is that I started working for three days a week a few weeks ago. Now there is so much more time for my studio, but also for myself to just clean my house, or to see my friends and family, to be together and share those joyful moments — because, in the end, those are the things that will stick.

I mean, you can be super famous and important, that’s also very cool. But to me, it's essential that there are people who love you to share my life with. That's what makes me happy right now — having more time to do what I love with the people I love.

Our magazine’s theme is BE-responsibly. What do you imagine under this theme?

That reminds me of the question I wanted to ask you: How does mindfulness play a role in your life and creative endeavours?

Credits: Yvette Glasius

SPAC U L E EVER

C A S U E

WHITE SWEATER BEAUMONTORGANICCOM

BEIGE TRENCH COAT EVERLANECOM

WHITE BLOUSE GRAMMARNYCCOM

FUDGE PANTS ARMEDANGELSCOM

DARK MUSTARD JACKET TWOTHIRDSCOM

BLACK LONGSLEEVE ARMEDANGELSCOM

Refle c t i o

Reflection is about questioning what we do, why we do it and if there is a better way we haven't thought of yet in a positive way It is a process of exploring our preconceived ideas, cognitive biases and concealed feelings that we are experiencing and giving ourselves a safe space to learn about relevant topics that we deeply care about Reflect with us on the importance of representation and the issue with second-hand

THE IMPORTANCE OF REPRESENTATION

While stating the obvious, let us say that again representation matters Better yet: true inclusion is a complex challenge in every industry, let alone fashion At this very moment, some essential parts of inclusion might not even be considered or even intentionally overlooked

From different sizes, such as plus size, small or tall, to skin colours, disabilities, LGBTQ+, and religious diversity, all are crucial to take into account and include everyone without judgement

Together these unique differences make us stronger and more beautiful something worth celebrating by making everyone truly represented

Representation really matters

Representation, when done well, has a lasting impact on influencing perceptions and attitudes about a community That is why pushing the envelope in whatever way matters, too

In the spotlight, fashion brands should always include so many unique individuals that any similarity would come across as rather shocking There are 8 billion people on the planet now Without a doubt, this task is more than attainable

Crucially, this is not about inclusion for the sake of inclusion Living outside the “conventional”, shopping becomes a heroic challenge to find clothes that fit or that suit the abilities and ideas one is looking for

With more representation, everyone is reassured to be themselves, becoming more confident and comfortable with their individual lives where style and individuality are uncompromised

The good news is times are changing At all levels of the fashion industry, people are becoming more attuned to the need for diversity, equity, and inclusion As part of the fashion community, we need to ensure that diverse cultures, values, and experiences have a seat at the table, making them seen and heard first-hand

What can responsible fashion do?

The challenge is as follows: responsible fashion should amplify non-discrimination as much as sustainability and ethics This space has the power to glorify bodies, identities, and culture lasting change takes time and intentional effort

Systemic change requires a powerful vision and continuous collaboration between brands and the entire fashion ecosystem Still, individuals also possess a significant influence Change must start from within to dismantle toxic prejudice and discrimination

Zooming in on gender diversity

Clothes serve as an essential tool to shape and articulate one ’ s identity, especially for those whose identity and self-expression have long been marginalised

Despite the positive changes the fashion industry has been finally undergoing, most brands are still operating in an industry dictated by an outdated gender binary view Most collections are still made from patterns based on standard sizes, thus limiting choices for many not fitting into a pre-described box

Gender-fluid, gender-inclusive or gender-free clothing can be any clothing, in theory eg heels and pumps of varied sizes, enabling people with larger feet to wear them

There are pioneering brands that represent unconditional forms of expression independent of gender boundaries while being ethical in their supply chain, making sure they dress bodies, not genders responsibly

Not just a marketing slogan and one week in the colourful limelight, queer people deserve year-round engagement if we are to be influential allies The community deserves the reassurance that acceptance and love are true intentions, not just forms of short-lived celebration or performative activism

studioheeynl weareandallcom plantfacedclothingcom loudbodiescom unrecordedco

"The fashion industry loves to steal inspiration from queer, trans and gender non-conforming people especially Black communities and communities of people of colour but refuses to respect us enough to give us credit and the platform to succeed in society. That is an abuse of power to take from marginalized communities and earn profit without giving back to them."

Sharmila

More about Sharmila on p 36-37

Size inclusivity

Size inclusivity is another one of the persisting challenges when it comes to sustainable fashion and the fashion scene in general

Unfortunately, the importance of inclusivity from the catwalk models to collection sizes still needs to be actively fought for

Lots of us are affected and forced into a niche based on our height or weight Plus, the amount of clothing options available significantly decreases when looking for greener alternatives

Luckily, there are now many ethical brands that celebrate body positivity and diversity, making sure everyone can find the right fit

Inclusive sizing is so matter-of-fact to be embraced by every brand, green or not sooner rather than later

The key is to treat everyone equally and make it a priority to design all styles in more extensive ranges even with one additional size with a new collection

Progress over perfection

We understand that upcoming sustainable brands might lack the resources to include all sizes To us, it's all about progress and prioritising that each collection is more (size) inclusive than the previous one

After all, sustainability is all about fairness and equality Let's embrace it everywhere we can

Palanta is also committed to inclusivity in all aspects: more sizes, shapes and styles to fit everyones needs and wants and intentionally diverse expression of Palanta's curated collection to represent its beautiful community sotelaco eloquiicom yoekcom loragenecom native-youthcom louponlinecom universalstandardcom

SIZE INCLUSIVE BRANDS

THE ISSUE WITH SECONDHAND

In the ideal world, buying a garment second-hand instead of new ought to be the first choice for regular wardrobe updates Second-hand clothing isn’t just handy for our wallets but also the environment since it translates into less soil needed to produce raw materials, water use reduction and less pollution a win-win for everyone

However, while buying pre-loved items has many undeniable benefits, there are also unintended consequences mainly fueled by rampant overconsumption and everchanging fashion trends

Trashing used garments abroad

Every week millions of garments from the US, Europe and China are sent to Global South countries, for example, Kantamanto, a market in Ghana’s capital, Accra

Kantamanto is considered the largest second-hand market in West Africa, where carriers often underaged girls take used clothes from one retailer to the next for only a few dollars a day Only 10% of what arrives is suitable to resell, and the rest ends up in landfills due to the poor condition these clothing items are typically in

Another dilemma of the secondhand trend is that with the increasing demand comes increased prices for pre-loved pieces, potentially becoming a burden for low-income people who rely on thrifting to update their wardrobes

Consequently, the rise in popularity comes with the unintended gentrification of second-hand shops, often being rebranded as “vintage”

What does consuming mindfully mean? Try these conscious tips:

Swap clothes with friends and family instead of buying new items

Prevent impulse buying by questioning whether you need a garment in the first place

Focus on developing your signature style instead of automatically following shortlived fashion trends

Rent occasional items that you would wear only once or twice anyway

Upcycle or recycle old clothes

Research where the seller sources their products from

To cool off overconsumption of thrifted (or new) clothes, we need to first and foremost consume mindfully

Research where your donated garments are going and use donation containers as a last resort to keep your unwanted clothes in the loop

Gentrification of second-hand

Mindfulness versus overconsumption

MUA Sharmila Vooren

STYLING

Jozef da Costa

Martina Novakova CASTING Studio Belle & Co Euromodel Amsterdam

MODELS

Cherisa Schouten Demi Wals Sharmila Vooren

COLLECTION Palanta

CREATIVEDIRECTION

be S I M P L Y

BE. SIMPLY BE BEFORE EVERYTHING ELSE. NO MATTER THE INNER EXPECTATIONS OR EXTERNAL PRESSURE. FOR A SECOND, MINUTE, HOUR, DAY, OR A WEEK, BE FOR THE SAKE OF BEING. SAVOUR IT OR LET IT PASS YOU BY. THIS IS YOUR MOMENT NO ONE CAN TELL YOU WHAT TO DO WITH IT. THINK, RELAX, POSE, UNWIND, CONTEMPLATE, CREATE, REFLECT, BE. EVERYTHING IS ALLOWED, AND NOTHING IS REQUIRED. SIMPLY BE E D I T O R I A L

his

GIANNI RUFFLED MIDI-DRESS WITH ABSTRACT FLORAL PRINT STINE GOYA

GARA PEPLUM BLOUSE WITH CHECK PATTER STINE GOYA FAWN MINI-SKIRT WITH SEQUIN EMBROIDERY STINE GOYA

JUNE JACKET IN BEIGE FLORIA COLLECTIVE

SNAKE SHEER PANTS STUDIO HEEY

KOI SHEER BLOUSE WITH BELT STUDIO HEEY

ALETTA SATIN BAG WEVEN DESIGN

JOLIETTA SEQUIN MINI-DRESS BAUM UND PFERDGARTEN

DORY COAT IN MAROON BAUM UND PFERDGARTEN

PARIS CROP TOP IN WHITE CAPSULE STUDIO ARI PANTS IN BROWN BY SIGNE

DORY COAT IN MAROON BAUM UND PFERDGARTEN JULIUS HOBO BAG STINE GOYA

JUNE JACKET IN BEIGE FLORIA COLLECTIVE PARIS CROP TOP IN WHITE CAPSULE STUDIO ARI PANTS IN BROWN BY SIGNE ALETTA SATIN BAG WEVEN DESIGN

GARA PEPLUM BLOUSE WITH CHECK PATTER STINE GOYA

FAWN MINI-SKIRT WITH SEQUIN EMBROIDERY STINE GOYA

DUA PUFFY COAT IN RED BAUM UND PFERDGARTEN ANAISE JUMPSUIT IN GREY BY SIGNE

GLORY LONG SLEEVE BLOUSE WITH ORANGE SEQUINS AND MARKUS PANTS WITH ORANGE SEQUINS STINE GOYA

Hhigh on impact

Sometimes the world of social media can be full of comparison and selfdoubt That is why we follow people who achieve the exact opposite: trailblazers who inspire us and highlight important topics through their work, advocacy and art Here are some of these fascinating individuals that we recommend hitting a follow button

E M A N U E L L E V O S

Emanuelle Vos is a DJ, herbalist, artist, writer, mother and activist She uses her social media to educate about conscious living and share plant-based recipes Her passion for these green topics brought her to create the High Radiance platform, which serves as a space to explore the power of plants, human well-being, music and more

@emanuellevos highradiance nl

A L I S S O N S I M M O N D S

Alisson Simmonds is a sustainable influencer, model and mother who uses her social media presence to educate about fair fashion We adore her style, which is why we are happy to have her items as part of our Rent My Wardrobe initiative Via our platform, rent her wardrobe and enjoy one of her beautiful fashion pieces

@alisson simmonds

M A N D Y W O E L K E N S

Mandy Woelkens is an actor, mother, Editor-in-Chief of LINDA meiden, podcast host and author She not only uses her online platform to educate people about inclusivity but is also an author of the book together with her partner, Thorn de Vries, called FAQ Gender The goal is to answer gender-related questions based on their own experiences to clear any gender-grey clouds in other people's minds

@mandywoelkens

Source: LINDAmeiden

Credits: Anh Kiet Duong

tcapm tcapm hgih no i m p ac

R A S H I A G A R W A L

Rashi Agarwal is a professional model, content creator and handbag designer Passionate about feminism, Dutch culture, and sustainable fashion, she's always got something to share that resonates Plus, with her inspiring style, we are happy to have some of her pieces in our Rent My Wardrobe collection

@rashi agarwal

S I O E J E N G T S A O

Sioe Jeng Tsao is a multidisciplinary artist, speaker and activist born in the Dutch capital Amsterdam We get inspired by their thought-provoking paintings and digital illustrations: a colourful exploration of different social aspects like feminism, climate change, racial justice, power dynamics, reclaiming space, queer joy, and so much more

@seeyousioe

R O W I E K O R P E L

Rowie Korpel is a slow fashion advocate, conscious creative, sustainable stylist and DJ You can be sure she will always find the best vintage items when she's on the hunt Try for yourself: rent some of her unique pieces as part of our Rent My Wardrobe initiative

@rowiekorpel

IIRIS— transparently.

CEO and co-founder of the responsible fashion IT app Renoon Iris Skrami goes beyond the small talk and dives deep into entrepreneurial ups and downs, the meaning of circularity and essential acts of mindfulness — transparently. Before reading, make sure to mix technology, fashion and business to accompany yourself with Iris' favourite cocktail.

My relationship with fashion… Well, I was born and raised in Milan. A lot of people see it as the city of fashion. I've never thought of it that way But I feel fashion was a big part of my life growing up. Everything goes back to my time with my mom. She is a very creative person. So growing up, she had fun making us clothes. That was the one thing that taught me to love fashion, my mom's love for us through clothes.

At some point during my university time, I spent a lot of time just choosing what to wear and developing my style. Because of that, I shopped at fast fashion stores. I had no clue what I was doing — it was all about creativity and expressing myself.

That's also why I went into this space. My biggest passions are technology and everything that allows me to see the world with a creative eye, and fashion is the perfect industry for that. When I discovered the impact fashion has on the environment and how polluting it is, it turned bittersweet. I still love fashion, and that is also why I decided to stick with the industry and change it from the inside out.

My previous experience was at Nike and PVH, but my passion for sustainability has been there for a long time. It began with food during my studies. I became concerned about where the food came from, what was used to grow it, and what was in it.

Funnily enough, after my exchange in Germany, I remember telling my dad that I wanted to become a chief sustainability officer, a career goal that didn’t probably exist yet. Ever since I remember, I've got a passion for solving things and finding solutions, seeing technology as the essential tool to achieve them. While working in the industry, I was already exploring what role technology could play and building the sustainability case step by step.

It became an obsession at one point to choose better and find more sustainable options, and I couldn’t spot. I also saw companies needing the push to do things differently. So then I decided to go crazy and build my own company.

Iris, how would you describe your relationship with fashion?

You’ve got several years of experience from major fashion players. What made you switch to a sustainable endeavour?

What is Renoon, and why did you decide to start this shopping platform?

Renoon is a shopping platform that doesn't sell you anything. It’s a discovery platform where consumers can search for brands. The idea is to have the largest database of brands to view and check what makes the brands sustainable — if anything. We’re verifying the information together with brands, opening up their supply chains and all their proof points to us, so we share that information with everyone, all of us having access to it.

Renoon started first with people — consumers — serving all of us. And the app started growing organically faster than we expected. At some point, we reached a moment where we asked ourselves: "How can we reach even more people? How can we reach everyone?" The more we talked about it, the more we discovered how much it would take, but we simply didn't have enough resources.

So we decided to turn it around and give the brands the responsibility to display this information on their websites. We, as consumers, should be able to go on any website and find this information no need to download another app. As much as I love our app, that should not be a requirement. That is what we're doing now — already working with several brands to verify their information.

What has been your biggest challenge on this Renoon journey so far?

There were so many challenges on this journey. But one of the most challenging is having a team. It was the first time I was managing people — more than managing. I feel responsible for them, the whole company, and what we build together. But, of course, nothing is too challenging when you’ve got passion.

You already mentioned you are updating the business model. Anything else you’d like to add to this crucial shift?

Indeed, we've updated the business model to allow us to grow and spread this information faster. Our initial idea was to take a commission from people who click on the brands and the products. But we realised that even without buying, people found value in the platform by discovering new brands alone.

As a company, we discovered our business model didn’t reflect our mission. We believe that we shouldn't even buy new clothes, but end up buying them anyway. So if you buy them, we want to be your guide to provide all the information you need with transparency, whether it be on our app or brands’ websites.

This way, we can grow the company realigned with its business model. The more we grow, the more we make this information spread, which has been our key goal since the beginning. Renoon is about information, awareness and education because people need to know what they're buying. That makes this journey worth it.

What else makes this journey worth the ups and downs for you?

That's a good question. Honestly, sometimes I don't know. With me, it started when I discovered the impact the fashion industry actually everything we buy — has such a huge impact. We are literally voting with our wallets. That’s probably what most people have heard before, but it is true. We're giving the money to a company that then keeps producing more stuff.

When I thought about that, I just couldn't go back. I became obsessed with this problem. I feel that really deeply. It’s hard to explain why.

To me, circularity is a way of thinking of our system in a way that makes sense. Nature is circular. We’re born, we live, and we’re made to go back to nature again.

It just mimics what nature already does. Currently, in our consumption system, we've created a linear model. So we create stuff, we use it, and then the trash stays in our world for years, decades or sometimes even centuries. It just makes sense that we can create a system that replicates nature.

All in all, circularity means the best use of everything: making sure that the product has a great, long life. One example is second-hand. They're contributing to that middle part where the product lives. More things need to be done when the product ends and how the product is born in the first place with circularity in mind.

Similarly, I’m wondering what role mindfulness plays in your life and your business endeavour…

Oh, mindfulness. You ask the right person. I've asked myself that question many times because, as you know, during my first year in Amsterdam, I got a yoga teacher training degree and now have a YouTube channel where I teach yoga. I've asked myself: What does this have to do with my life, and who am I?

I found out it is my interest in yoga and mindfulness that makes me feel so deeply about the subject of sustainability. I think mindfulness allows us to create space in our heads for ourselves. And once we have space for ourselves, we have space for everything around us, and we can start to think about ourselves as being part of something bigger, going from “I want that jacket because it's so cool” to “If I get this jacket, what happens when I take this action?”

Given your company’s key attribute is transparency, can you share something from behind the scenes of your journey — big or small?

To me, responsibility is the correct word for what we’re trying to do in this world. Sustainability means thriving as a species. So we can stay in this world and make it a sustainable one. To sustain means to remain. So with that logic, a product or a fashion brand cannot be sustainable if the system itself is not sustainable.

So we only can make fashion itself responsible. It means that it responds to and knows what the issues are. And so it acts on the best possible information with the resources available to make the right choices. That is what comes to mind when I think about responsible fashion.

Well, there are so many stories I could tell. Transparently, what I learned throughout the journey was that I don't believe in this narrative anymore that one day these founders had this idea and then boom! It became a success overnight. Every movie you see, it's just like that. There's this one billion dollar idea which turns out super successful super quick, bringing money, fame, or whatever.

Yes, sometimes it's luck. We've had a lot of luck as well. But other times, it's just hard work. Some days you wake up, do your thing, and get excited. But then BOM BOM BOM! You get a lot of NOs everywhere. We are a startup trying to change how businesses work, and how the world should work. Yes, we get friction because that is not the way it worked until now. We're here saying: Hey, let's do this differently.

To me, BE—responsibly reflects that. It means that as a person, entrepreneur, brand or whatever, you are living and making decisions in your everyday life, knowing about these issues and wanting to take steps for the better.

Good things take time to grow. So whatever you are pursuing doesn't have to be this overnight success. That doesn't mean you're not building something great or trying to achieve something great.

It’s like if I go to the gym one day and expect abs right away. It is okay if it's not that great from the start, but you can build resilience, and if you believe in something, build it and continue to do whatever your best is to make it happen.

YES, SOMETIMES IT'S LUCK. WE'VE HAD A LOT OF LUCK AS WELL. BUT OTHER TIMES, IT'S JUST HARD WORK.

What does circularity mean to you as a person and entrepreneur?

What comes to mind when I say the term responsible fashion and responsible brand?

While we’re on this topic, our magazine’s theme is BE—responsibly. What does it mean to you?

CAUTION SHOP RESPONSIBLY

Always having shopping responsibly in mind, these are our favourite brands and stores that inspire us by trying to make this world better bit by bit Check out these must-know sustainable gems

E N S Ō V I N T A G E

Andrea and Liseth started ENSO Vintage in 2019 from the desire to wear modern clothing without harming people or the planet What we love about them is that besides sourcing curated high-quality and contemporary vintage pieces they up-cycle the found treasures when needed to give every item a new unique edge and embrace zero waste

ensovintagecom @ensovintage

T H E S W A P S H O P

Is there any clothing you no longer wear in your wardrobe? Take them to The Swapshop and exchange them for items from other swappers The Swapshop's mission is to extend the life of clothes whilst encouraging swapping to be the new normal And while checking out their online collection is fun, we appreciate that they have a physical store in both Amsterdam and Rotterdam!

the-swapshopcom @theswapshop nl

P A R O S T O R E

Are you looking for emerging designers driving the fashion space towards a sustainable future? Then be sure to check out PARO STORE They seek to counteract the polluting fashion industry by only stocking independent brands that design and produce norm-breaking clothing in a responsible way

parostorecom @parostore

F L O R I A

C O L L E C T I V E

Floria Collective is a Dutch slow fashion label creating high-quality designs with a timeless character We love having them in our collection as they exclusively work with recycled, organic and biodegradable materials while providing full transparency of their supply chain

floria-collectivecom @floriacollective

R E F A

Refa brings a fashion rental space primarily to men with an innovative and creative collection sourced from local designers They provide members with high-quality, fashionable clothing at an affordable price, making them a compelling alternative to overrated and polluting fast fashion brands

refa-amscom @refaams

W I L D H E A R T T R E A S U R E S

Wild Heart Treasures sells vintage and antique jewellery curated with utmost care and sustainability in mind Jewellery tells the story of our life, extraordinary moments celebrated in gold and carried with us Wild Heart finds unique pieces with a story, ready for them to become part of your journey next

wildhearttreasurescom @wildhearttreasures

S A R A R O S A L I E

Not only does it matter what we put into our bodies, but also what we put on them That is why we swear by the natural skin care products from Sara Rosalie They focus on creating modern beauty classics and believe in the natural functioning of the skin, which you can support with safe, allergen-free skin care

sararosalienl @sararosalie

T H E C O L L E C T I O N O N E

With The Collection One, founder Lisa Schotman created a place that offers carefully selected vintage pieces and items from brands that are honest about their production while using high-quality materials She curates brands by instinct, always keeping three things in mind: who made it, where it was made and what kind of fabrics were used offering as much transparency to her customers as possible

thecollectiononecom @thecollectionone

T O A I E

Want to spice up your outfit effortlessly? Check out the beautiful earrings from Toaie Ethically manufactured in Colombia, each of their designs is handmade and original If you look closely enough, you can spot some of their colourful pieces in the visuals throughout this magazine

toaiecom @toaie

R O C K Y O U R W O R L D

Rock Your World makes self-care and the wisdom from Ayurveda more accessible to anyone intrigued Creating wellness tools like stays, journals, and workshops stands for connection, nature and well-being

rockyourworldco @rockyourworldryw

N E W O P T I M I S T

New Optimist is a streetwear clothing brand with an open, accessible social studio in Amsterdam where they employ vulnerable people and show them how to design and produce the items To them, circular clothing made fairly and transparently should be the new standard and not the exception

shopnewoptimistnl @new optimist

A R K I V E

Arkive is a BeautyTech platform with the mission to make the beauty industry more circular with the power of data On their platform, you can get unconsumed beauty products from various brands that would have otherwise gotten liquidated including a significant discount

arkivenl @arkiveshop

H E T F A I R E O O S T E N

In the sustainable store Het Faire Oosten, discover everything from sustainable fashion to natural cosmetics and handmade tableware Since 2014, it has grown into a department store with the largest selection of fair fashion in Amsterdam and the surrounding area We love wandering around their shop, spotting well-known brands and exploring new ones

hetfaireoostennl @hetfaireoosten

U THE RADAR

UNDER

To get out of the sustainable bubble, highlighting revolutionary initiatives that do crucial work in sustainability is equal to public service

We are diving further than usual there are many incredible projects you might have never heard of because they talk directly to fashion brands and make changes behind the scenes for you to enjoy later In our opinion, they deserve their time in the spotlight as well Because with them, responsible fashion is here to stay and thrive

CFind bra stan dau COS sup mor find clot We has inve plat guid they sust you with responsible choices without neverending research of your own cosheco @cosheco

M U M S T E R M O V E M E N T

MUMSTER is a groundbreaking conscious campaign agency for pioneers in the fashion industry Through their creative campaigns, they connect consumers, the industry and the government to move the industry forward With their campaigns, not only do they reveal complex problems of the fashion industry, but they also shine a light on already existing solutions

mumsternl

@mumster movement

R E N O O N

Renoon wants to empower consumers to get all the information they need to make responsible choices before buying a product They work with brands to provide the information on their website and app, as well as allow everyone to contribute to collective knowledge by leaving a review of how they’ve personally experienced the sustainability of a brand We praise their vision to give power to consumers who can make a real impact by choosing responsible fashion brands

RTHERADAR

F A S H I O N F O R G O O D

Fashion for Good is a global initiative to inspire change and drive the collective movement to make fashion a force for good Besides working directly with the fashion industry to drive innovation, we love their sustainable fashion museum, where everyone can learn about the stories behind clothes, how your choices can have a positive impact and what the future of fashion looks like

htrednuRADAREHTREDNUre

u n red t radareh

fashionforgoodcom @fashionforgood

R E T H I N K R E B E L S

RethinkRebels offers sustainability advice for fashion businesses and professionals to master, feel confident, and be ready to build a purpose-led future Whether you are an individual, startup, scale-up, or established international brand, RethinkRebels can help you to work on your sustainability strategy, accelerate your knowledge with online training programs or help you with your transparent communication

rethinkrebelscom @rethinkrebels

F O U S A F O U S

Fous A Fous is an innovative fashion apparel design and development agency based in Amsterdam They provide accessible options for new or existing brands looking for comprehensive development from industry experts With their help, labels have a better chance to realise their sustainable vision and shift the industry from fast to slow fashion

fousafouscom

@fousafous

G R E E N A G E N C Y : S T U D I O B E L L E & C O

If you are looking for models for your sustainable brand who value a sustainable lifestyle, you should check out Studio Belle & Co by Elize Been Through them, we found our beautiful cover model Cherisa who wants to inspire others with her work to choose slow fashion alternatives

elizebeencom/greenmodels

@studiobelleenco

In the summer of 2022, I discovered that my passion for modelling no longer matched my values I had a dream: to only model for sustainable brands But it felt like a huge decision to make Yet, the vision was more powerful than the initial fear

Then the first green modelling agency in The Netherlands was born: Studio Belle & Co (from Elize Been & Geert Gordijn) I knew this was my sign to go all-in on my dream It felt like the best decision in eight years of modelling!

And that is how I became a green model, chasing my dream and inspiring others to choose slow fashion and think about what they purchase

Besides modelling and creating a sustainable lifestyle I'm writing my first book It's about lessons learned during my first year of manifesting and how easily meditation can help me find my inner peace and be in the present Simply enjoying the now and going with the flow, knowing you are at the right place

CHERISA

@cherisaschouten

Sharmila

A makeup artist, entrepreneur, performer, public speaker, model, muse and inspiration Sharmila shares her absolute essentials always carrying in her bag specifically this pink Guess handbag, a rare second-hand find in perfect condition Let’s take a look!

B R O M Y A L G I A

My chronic condition is called fibromyalgia Its an illness that causes chronic pain and chronic fatigue I cant function in the capacity people expect me to, the limitations aren't visible to the naked eye To cope with that, I make time and space to rest, recover, and do what I love and what gives me energy

I have to create a balance between working towards a future that I can hold up sustainably I used to work for immediate gratification and payments because thats what I had to do to survive And now I am working towards a place where I can work, where I can create a future where even if I cant work again or have to give up a part of my career, I dont fall into debt because this is a reality I have to keep in mind

What my illness has taught me is how to be gentle with myself, and it is something that I have to navigate every single day But it also makes me understand myself a lot better

P H I L I P S

O N E B L A D

So I’ve got this really thick, c happy about that when it com but not necessarily on my fac face is also sensitive, so tha OneBlade for my face and body and as a trimmer It trims the hair so smoothly that it feels like there is no hair at all

S U N G L A S S E S

A pair of sunglasses is a must because I'm sensitive to light due to my chronic illness Plus, sunglasses make me look so much better Also, I don't have to deal with people sometimes I always stand out everywhere I go because I'm visibly a trans person And that comes with the world judging you whether positive or negative

N O I S EC A N C E L L I N G H E A D P H O N E S

Honestly, these things are a lifesaver to me I get overstimulated quickly in public, especially on public transport So the headphones cancel out all the noise and distractions, and I can listen to music and focus when working

E L I Z A B E T H A R D E N E I G H T - H O U R C R E A

This cream is everything you need for This ointment works well on my face, h body because my skin tends to especially in the winter It is the only t moisturises without feeling too thick or heavy

P H O N E

I always find support with my phone It’s the way I connect with the people I love by looking at pictures I have, by being able to call them and by interacting with people online It always makes me feel comfortable anywhere I go because I know I will always have people with me, even if not physically

H A P P Y S O A P S N A T U R A L D E O D O R A N T

I always use a natural deodorant from HappySoaps, because I am very, very, very sweaty Sweating is also one of many symptoms caused by my chronic illness And so far, this is one of the only products that help Eucalyptus & Lemongrass is a must-try!

V A I N B E A U T Y A R T I S T R Y B R U S H S E T

These brushes are essential to me Whenever I wear makeup, I bring the whole set with me because it comes in a handy travel bag that stands up on its own, like a cup, folding into a nice pouch With these brushes, I can create any look I want Makeup is my most gifted tool of self-expression ELIZABETH ARDEN CREAM ETOSNL

about PALANTA

Why Palanta was born

Palanta’s mission is to create a conscious thriving community that supports and empowers each other through mindful events, transparency and a common goal: BE responsibly

Sharing our success and hardship while creating a responsible life is essential: Each success no matter how small or big it might be deserves applause, and every hardship needs open ears and hearts that listen and do not judgejust like our community

The name Palanta comes from the word ‘palánta’, which means ‘sprout’, ‘seedling’ and ‘toddler’ in Hungarian– our founder Sara Devenyi’s native language It takes time and effort to take care of such little things as seeds or seedlings, yet if you care for them and give them your love they will grow into something beautiful, just like our journey towards a more responsible fashion industry

Why rental: countless issues with (fast) fashion

Seeing the startling numbers of how polluting the fashion industry is might be overwhelming, and deter any action whatsoever How can we solve a problem that big?

Usually? Bit by bit So instead of feeling overcome by the dreadfulness of the problem, let’s focus on the little steps we can make and realize what impact they can have

Did you know we only wear 20% of our wardrobe? That means four of the last five items you purchased will end up at the bottom of your closet Why buy when you could rent instead?

Palanta gives you an endless wardrobe whilst saving money and space in your closet: a circular solution, where you discover and experience brands without lifelong commitments and the guilt of impulse buying

Clothes are like our second skin We know it could be hard to let go off the feeling of “it is mine” What if we say there is more joy in saying “it is ours”? Just knowing that you rent an item that goes on another adventure with someone else, instead of lying in the closet and getting forgotten, makes it worth a try

Mindfulness & events

When you feel in balance with yourself, you can fully embrace other things to contribute to a greener future That is why we are convinced that mindfulness is the starting point of sustainability Once we are at peace with ourselves, we have time for others, nature and taking extra steps towards a more conscious life

That is why we are building an inclusive community that goes beyond just renting fashion sharing our ups and downs while creating a responsible life Keep an eye on our website and social media for events and community meetups on relevant topics such as sustainability, mindfulness, inclusivity and more

Access over ownership

Why sustainable brands

One of our essential values is to be as responsible as possible That is why Palanta is renowned for its conscious brand selection: our brands have sustainability at heart, pay ethical wages to their workers and create long-lasting collections with circular practices such as upcycling, recycling or using organic materials

However, we also want to acknowledge that we have some brands on our website that are not where they want to be in their sustainability journey just yet The reason why we still decided to add them to our brand selection is that we see the effort they are making to get where they want to be and reach their goals while being transparent about the challenges they are still facing

We pay particular attention to the brand's philosophy and the extent to which they focus on sustainable, fair production and the expansion of its strategy for more circularity within the business

Rent My Wardrobe

Our conscious community means everything to us, how we can connect, inspire each other and become more circular together We have launched our Rent My Wardrobe initiative to connect with our community on another level through personal and beloved statement pieces Our community members can rent out their clothes via Palanta that they no longer wear but cannot let go of just yet

Did you know that extending the life of clothes by additional nine months of active use can reduce carbon, water, and waste footprints by around 20–30%? So why let 80% of your wardrobe be unused, if you could let someone else enjoy it? We do all the logistics, you enjoy the good feeling and a little commission

Rent-to-own

Sometimes we love an item so much that we want to own it, and that’s okay! This is why we give you the possibility to buy some of the items in our collection We only have one rule: Rent before you buy Renters can buy individual garments after renting them at a discounted price With this approach, we support our partner brands and conscious purchasing instead of impulse buying

What does Palanta offer?

Monthly Memberships

With Palantas monthly memberships, satisfy your fashion cravings and expand your wardrobe with new, premium brands every month without ever shopping again Now you can choose between 2, 3 or 4 items every month for a fixed monthly price

ENTRY

CLASSIC EXTENDED

Next to our general memberships, we also offer a membership for our baby collection Children grow out of their clothes in the blink of an eye Why not simply rent the cutest baby clothing and return when your little explorer grows out of them?

All in all, our members get their essential dose of inspiration and enjoy more variety with less hustle: good for the planet and their wallet while staying fashionable

I have picked up my third set of items from the monthly membership and I am still really happy with this service! The clothes are great and the customer service is always excellent There are new drops regularly on the website as well, so it’s really worth subscribing if, like me, you love having new items in your closet It’s a great way to limit what you buy whilst regularly refreshing your wardrobe!

Laure L on June 28, 2022

Pay-as-you-rent

If memberships are too big of a bite to chew at the moment, enjoy a PALANTA item for 4, 14 or 30 days without any strings attached Rent for special occasions, your next vacation, or because you deserve it Experiment with new colours or surprise yourself with something you would never buy but always wanted to try

Rent your favourite Palanta outfit now with a magazine special. Use the code SIMPLYBE to get 50% off your first month whenjoiningamembership.

to have your back with a conscious, circular solution for

widely experienced having-too-many-clothes-yet-nothing-towear dilemma With us you are always ready to rent your next favourite outfit, explore new styles and brands, and be responsibly

Palanta is here

the

Join our memberships or rent flexibly with our pay-as-you-rent option Use code SIMPLYBE at the checkout for 50% off on your first month when joining a membership See more on www palanta co

Did something catch your eye?

BE responsibly.

The name Palanta comes from the word ‘palánta’, which means ‘sprout’, ‘seedling’ and ‘toddler’ in Hungarian Palanta founder’s native language

It takes time and effort to take care of such little beings as seedlings, yet they will grow into something great and beautiful, just like our journey towards BE responsibly

PALANTA MAGAZINE PALANTA MAGAZINE