hire me
Founder + EIC: tommie magazine
SPEAKER: ethical + sustainable fashion with an emphasis on second hand + vintage, inclusivity and representation in the sustainable fashion space, social and environmental justice.
ECO-STYLIST: ethical fashion shopping tours, save the children australia national retail eco stylist, vintage buyer, thrift + charity advocate and ambassador, editorial, personal + campaign stylist.
WRITER: consciousness, slow fashion, intersectional feminism, race relations, social justice, identity, heritage + tradition.
EDUCATOR: inclusivity in fashion, personal style, sustainable fashion, ethics and fashion supply chains,
ADVOCACY: slow fashion, social welfare, civil rights, equity + justice, community engagement and development and youth mentor and champion
A little bit about me..
My name is Natalie Shehata and I’m an eco stylist, the founder + editor of tommie magazine, ‘the destination for creative Women with a conscience’, speaker, writer, non-traditional educator, youth champion, community advocate and curious citizen of the world - fighting for equity and justice in the sustainable fashion space and beyond.
Through the various mediums of my work my mission is to educate people on holistic inclusion and representation in fashion, to change long standing oppressive systems, through anti-racism work, climate justice and BIWoC empowerment. My work lies in redefining sustainability to centre Black, Indigenous and People of colour communities; the original pioneers and trailblazers of sustainability - to empower and elevate the stories and lives of BIWoC specifically and create new pathways and systems that honour these communities.
As an eco stylist my mission is to celebrate style and change the stigma around preloved + second hand fashion, by encouraging reuse. I believe in a world where style, substance and story telling can co-exist - I’m here to create meaningful change with colour, creativity, collaboration and community, at the core of all I do.
With a lifelong love and appreciation for second hand clothing, it is through this context and lens where I communicate and express my views with regard to regeneration, and living in an anti-capitalist world, where wearing preloved clothing and brands built with intention and social progress - can be a way to position our views on labour rights, Women’s rights and the welfare and rights of BIPOC around the world. Clothing is more than constructing an outfit to look aesthetically pleasing; what we choose to wear is a reflection of society, the inequities between races, the exploitative labour systems that still exist in the Global South, the land that was stolen from Black and Indigenous people and how colonialism is rooted in fashion. The way we dress is political when it comes to culture, heritage, identity and history – the clothes we wear can lead to radical change.
My journey..
Having worked in the fashion industry for 12 years as an eco stylist, visual merchandiser, personal stylist, wardrobe consultant, editorial, campaign and brand stylist, retail + marketing manager - I’ve worked directly with all stakeholders of fashion and have a thorough and nuanced understanding of fashion supply chains, brand marketing, retail systems, changing customer values and spending habits. With this experience I’ve witnessed and experienced first-hand the oppressive systems in which fashion is built on, and wanted to be part of disrupting and dismantling this, and created a platform for BIWoC communities to be the curators of their own stories and take back their rightful space and position in the fashion and sustainability context. This is how tommie was born, as a way to elevate the diverse voices that make up our country, and to also demonstrate the naturally, intuitive and sustainable ways of living, BIWoC encompass.
Where I’m at now..
As the Retail Trainer at The Social Outfit I work one on one with young Women from refugee, new migrant and asylum seeker backgrounds, between the ages of 18 - 29yrs old. Our Retail Training Program is a paid on the job employment pathway and job readiness program, where the Women learn all facets of what it takes to work in the fashion retail industry, with the goal of transitioning these young Women to their first Australian job after the 12 week program. To date I have worked with 16 young Women, and 93% have transitioned to their first Australian jobs.
As the National Retail Eco Stylist of Save the Children Australia op shops - a volunteer role I created myself - I work with communities of colour, new migrants and those less resourced to make sure they have access to affordable clothing through the collection of clothing donations, free styling advice, sessions and workshops. It is a delicate balance as the STC stylist to break down stigmatised views of shopping preloved for the vast majority, whilst at the same time ensuring op shops do not become too aspirational so they continue to exist and serve those vulnerable communities that need resources and access most.
Through my online platform, tommie magazine - ‘the destination for creative Women with a conscience’, I educate and create awareness about environmental justice, inclusivity, sustainable and ethical fashion and community advocacy. This is achieved through our interviews, socially conscious articles, tommie second hand shop, community gatherings and tommie tours. As the founder and editor, it is my core responsibility to ensure we address issues that mainstream media neglect, like the nuances and complexities of the fashion supply chain, colonialism in fashion and climate justice.
