Meet Karen!
Karen is in Seville as part of the Erasmus+ programme with Capacity Ireland. She is a fashion graduate who is working in a local wool and craft store as a digital marketer. Read on to find out about her work placement, love for sustainable fashion and experience of living here so far.
Why did this placement appeal to you?
I wanted to broaden my career prospects in terms of design, and marketing felt like a really good next step. I studied Fashion Design at University and the sustainable side of the industry really appeals to me. With the marketing experience behind me that I’m learning on this placement, I can use that going forward to work for sustainable brands in the future.
How is your work placement going?
I’m really enjoying my placement. I’m working for a haberdashery that has 2 stores in Seville. Here the owner holds classes in both knitting and crochet. I’m assisting her with her Instagram and website, creating content from products to classes, as well as updating stock inventories! As this craft is something I wasn’t exposed to in University, it’s been super interesting to see the artisanal designs the students make.
Not only is it nice to see people from the community come together and socialise while knitting/crocheting, but it’s been lovely to witness this type of slow design, where they are working on one-off pieces over a period of time that they will then take precious care of and have for a lifetime!
How has Seville inspired your style?
I absolutely love the colours that I see on the streets here. With the sunshine, and the backdrop of the old often beige/white buildings, the bright oranges, pinks, greens etc. that I see people wearing really encourages you to look for the vivid, colourful tones in your own wardrobe! The ceramics on every corner in the city is really apparently reflected in the jewellery people wear here which inspires me also!
Are you enjoying the vintage fashion options in Seville?
Let’s just say these shopping oases’ were my first protocol when I came to Seville. I was super excited to see what the city had to offer in terms of secondhand and sustainable fashion, and while I do think there is an opportunity for more secondhand shops to open here, I’ve been satisfied with the places I’ve visited so far.
Las Tiendas Solidarias Piel de Mariposa has been my favourite to date, every few days offering a discount (for example 30% off) on something different like shoes, clothes, jewellery etc. I visited Humana during their epic countdown in the month of October, where they started off with everything being discounted by 40%, then worked their way up to 50%, to everything €5, and eventually, everything was €1, which was insane!
A few of the Vintage shops posed something similar with everything in Mosaico working its way down to €1! Not only is this a great way for these stores to make room for new secondhand items that may have been donated or hand-picked, but this is such an accessible and affordable way for everybody to shop sustainably and cut out fast fashion.
Can you recommend any local fashion designers?
Did you enjoy reading this case study about Karen and her experience of Seville? You can read more case studies here in our blog!
Photographer & Content Writer: Kate Glennon