Latina Leader Spotlight: Clementina Martinez-Masarweh
Meet Clementina, owner of DNA Sustainable Threads - an ultra hip fashion site that is a must-shop for the on-trend, globally-conscious Latina.
Q: What is your ethnicity and where do you currently live?
A: I am a proud Mexican-American, born and raised in California. My Mexican roots originate from Guanajuato, MX and DF. I currently live in the San Francisco Bay Area. I have lived in Alabama, Louisiana and Texas. Along with living overseas in Saudi Arabia, which was the most interesting of all places. I almost lived in China, did the house hunting thing but my husband’s work project fell through. My children were young and my son had reactive airways so I was happy that it did not work out. I was horrified by how bad their air quality was. This was about 17 years ago, when people where not talking with urgency about pollution and it’s effects on climate change.
Q: Who is your Latina inspiration?
A: My mother has been my number one inspiration. There was nothing my mother could not do. She saw a dress on television or in a magazine and voom she was off to create her own version. Her creativity was not limited to clothing, it applied to cooking, home furnishings and almost everything and anything around the house.
Emotionally, she gave me the space to be creative as a child. I would spend a whole day in my room as a child building communities out of beans or making Barbie clothes out of leftover scraps from her sewing. I was taught by example that there was nothing you could not make or do. It was very empowering. Having those creative outlets is so important for children. That is where confidence and solution strategies are learned.
Q: Why is sustainability and being eco-conscious so important to incorporate into our lives?
A: We are in a crisis for our human existence. Scientists estimate that we have less than 10 years to make drastic environmental choices to effect the projectile we are on. To make a large impact we all need to participate. The small choices we make can make such a big difference.
Another reason to incorporate sustainability is because BIPOC and POC are the most impacted by our climate crisis. A majority of Latinos live in areas that are high risk for climate violations. Latino communities are situated in areas that have landfills, chemical plants and food deserts. This all effects the quality of life, your immunity and overall good health. As noted we have seen most BIPOC and POC effected the most from COVID19. All I’ve mentioned with climate justice can be changed. For me this is the most pressing social issue because if you don’t exist than you can’t be here to be a voice for our other social injustices. It comes down to existence. I hope to spread the word of knowledge in a podcast soon. I also have co-founded a group Vida Vert Sustainable Living Festival, which will bring more knowledge to communities, along with partnering environmentally conscious businesses with communities to make them more sustainable.
Q: What are three steps ladies can take to reduce their carbon footprint?
A: There are many steps available in reducing our impact. First, you could use less plastic. Don’t buy bottled water. Filter your own water and use a reusable bottle. Say no to as much plastic as possible.
Second, try to eat less meat. Eat more veggies (preferably organic or locally farmed), beans and other high protein alternatives. Animal agriculture is one of the highest carbon producers. There are also many unethical practices involved. Please watch the new Netflix movie “Kiss the Ground”. It explains a lot of how the farming industry is set up currently and it’s detrimental effects, along with giving hope on solutions and changes that can be done for a better future. It will leave you feeling optimistic about our future, if we as consumers take action.
Third, be a supporter of slow fashion. Buy vintage, buy used, buy upcycled clothing but best is buy less. I started my upcycling clothing business because I could not stand by and continue to watch the way the fast fashion industry was operating. The fashion industry is the second largest water consumer, and one of the highest consumer, and one of the highest contributors to climate change and unethical manufacturing. Fast fashion comes at a cost. A cost to the workers with lower wages that can not sustain themselves. A cost to the environment. Currently in Los Angeles there are so many workers that have not been paid. Due to COVID19 and store orders being cancelled and clothing already produced, workers did not get paid. Most of these workers are Latinos. Fashionnova and Forever 21 are some of the worst violators and a lot of Latinas like to wear them. I think if most Latinas knew where or how their garments were made, not many would be wearing those brands. It all comes down to knowledge. Knowledge is power. I know some have told me, “ I can not afford sustainable fashion, it’s more expensive.” This is true. It does cost more to produce. What I can say is the shifting of the way we were taught to be consumers needs to change. It’s all a matter of perception. Example, one sustainable top might cost you $49 as opposed to fast fashion at $19. So, instead you buy one sustainable item for the price of two or three disposable garments. You shift to buying vintage, thrifting or upcycling your own closet, you have clothing swaps with your girlfriends. My garments are custom made, one of a kind, with lots of color, motivating messages and positive vibes. I use materials or garments that would have gone to landfills. I work with deadstock fabric that manufactures no longer need. I upcycle from new garments and from vintage. I have a lot of designer brands like Burberry, Dolce & Gabbana that I have upcycled and the prices are reasonable. So, I see it as a win, win for everyone, “You look more chula in your custom upcycled designer outfit, that no one else will have and I just prevented one garment from going into the landfills.” The slow fashion movement needs the support of consumers for it thrive. It is more of an artisan craft and the love for our planet and fellow humans. As most, like myself, don’t make big profits. It’s a labor of love. By making a garment that I know does not add any more environmental impact gives me joy.
Q: What does being a Latina business owner mean to you?
A: Being a Latina business owner makes me feel more empowered to follow my dreams of making a positive impact. I hope through my actions I can inspire another Latina to follow her dreams. I know at times the world says NO to minorities. I heard it growing up and saw how it effected so many of my minority friends. It’s a tough world out there, but if we could be better stewards to our neighbors, lift our sisters up as you do Stephanie, encourage others to reach for the stars...well querida the possibilities are endless.
Q: What message do you want to share with other Latinas?
A: I want to share that if you are going through a challenge in your life or are having difficulties, even though I don’t know you I hear you, I see you, I understand you. Hang in there! Please feel free to DM me on instagram. I have gone through a lot in my life. From living on a migrant camp as a child to living in Saudi Arabia covered in an abaya, and being one of two Mexicans in the region. I was without a voice and having very little rights. I experienced living on a compound that was on a terrorist list and not knowing from day to day if we would be targeted. My son’s school bus went missing and him being temporarily paralyzed were some of the hardest experiences I had to endure. My faith was the only thing I had (which I could not practice in public). I also learned that out of those challenges comes so much strength. I cried when I left Saudi Arabia. As the positives out weighed the negative. I learned to simplify my life, to focus on life experiences and family. I made such strong bonds with both the women on my compound and the Saudi women. We all want the same things in life: LOVE, JOY & HEALTH.
