the unwash: exclusive interview

After earning a degree in textile science and finding herself in a job that required constant travel, Megan Graham wanted to find a solution for travel-sized products that weren’t fitting her needs and ultimately ended up in the trash. The thought of frequent waste that was being created from these products became a point of frustration that she wanted to find a solution for. This was eventually tabled for a successful marketing career at Vogue and Condé Nast until the itch returned and Megan knew she could create a product for consumers like herself and fill a much-needed gap in the market. Whether it be buying travel-sized products that aren’t your personal favorites or trying to use drug store refillable bottles that leak or break both of these created more stress and unsatisfactory experiences for an on-the-go routine. Megan left her corporate job at Condé Nast to launch Ries – a solutions-oriented company founded to make our travel routines simpler and more streamlined. Ries is a more practical travel option that doubles as a sustainable solution for plastic waste. Their TSA-approved travel bottles are the perfect travel buddy. Created from post-consumer recycled materials that are dishwasher safe, they are made to last and create less waste in the process. We sat down with Megan to discuss sustainability, the process of launching a startup, and the future of Ries. 

What was the process of deciding to go from a corporate job to being the founder of a company? 

I worked in fashion forecasting, marketing, and advertising for most of my career and I really loved it but my first role in trend forecasting was full-time remote, before it was the norm. I loved the autonomy of that role. It put me in better touch with my intuition, decision-making, and being able to think on my feet. I realized because of that freedom the perfect role for me was to build something how I wanted to. I appreciate being out in the world like I was in my first role. When it came to making this shift to running a business – I had this idea that I had a strong feeling about what I wanted to go after. Shifting from office life to running a business was an easy shift for me. Switching back to this autonomous life is such a confidence boost.

Now that you’re in Sephora, what is next for Ries?

We have more products coming out, we get lots of questions about new colors so we are launching new colors this year. We have more products coming out that tie into circularity with a focus on recycled materials. Overall these will be focused on the process of making the transition to a more sustainable on-the-go routine. Think – simplifying your routine, making it more sustainable and more mobile. I built this brand for myself so I’m thinking about what you need when going to the gym, on a flight. What are these things I want to improve upon and make the experience better? More non-container things are coming but can’t say too much yet. We’re moving into new spaces as well. I can’t say too much yet but there are lots more to come that you’ll be hearing about closer to the summer.

Ries landed in Sephora within its first year of being on the market and is the first refillable travel bottle to be on the retailer’s shelves. Throughout our conversation with Megan, thoughts around ‘doing the best with what is available to us now’ was frequently brought up and how as brands and consumers this is something to lean into. Brands like Ries are making sustainable solutions while also emphasizing creating a positive customer experience for on-the-go product usage – which we shouldn’t have to sacrifice even when traveling. Megan hinted that there could be further retailer expansion in the future but for any Ries news, we’ll be anxiously awaiting and ready to give everyone the full scoop.

Use code UNWASH15 for 15% off your purchase at ries-ries.com

the unwash: exclusive interview

Fashion designer Anna Molinari’s TikTok went viral upon her first posting in 2020 of her upcycled designs using unconventional materials – mainly trash. The intrigue in her designs propelled Anna to become a full-fledged upcycler and to use her platform to fuel her passion for sustainable fashion. Many are familiar with Anna’s work for her viral dress that provided social and political commentary on social justice movements and the COVID-19 pandemic. The dress was made from newspaper clippings about the pandemic and the resurgence of the Black Lives Matter movement – both intersecting historical moments in United States history. The design included a mask and slit to show a band-aid for the wearer’s Coronavirus vaccine. The dress sparked a meaningful response from viewers resulting in Anna citing this moment as being one she is most proud of as a young designer. Now her platform has over 300,000 followers where she shares her brand’s designs and shares tips on how to begin upcycling. The Unwash sat down with Anna to discuss her takes on sustainable fashion, the responsibility that comes with having a large platform, and her design goals.

What sparked your passion for sustainability within your designs? 

I’ve been making clothes since I was eight years old and it all started from watching a marathon of Project Runway. I felt so inspired and fell in love with the concept of fashion. As I was watching the marathon I made my first shirt and from then on I’ve never questioned that it was what I’m supposed to do. My parents taught me to fund my passion so I unintentionally became very scrappy, using mostly second-hand materials from the jump. As I got older and went to college for fashion I began to learn more about the textile industry and how detrimental it is to the environment. This was further confirmation for me that I need to be using second-hand materials. Throughout my education I experimented with sculpture, using recycled materials, I loved working with weird and unconventional materials. In 2020 the second video I posted on TikTok got over a million views where I was showing these sculpture pieces using unconventional materials like a dress I made out of plastic straws. That further solidified that I wanted to keep going down this path. Sustainability has always been at my core and TikTok gives me a larger sense of responsibility to promote sustainability.

Out of all of your designs, which is your favorite? 

Hands down, the newspaper dress. The reaction I got from that dress gives me butterflies when I think about it. People would reach out to me telling me they lost a family member and they felt that the dress memorialized them or people of color reaching out to express that the dress made them feel heard. People were able to find something positive through this dress. We need things that both liberate us and bring us together, for me that’s through fashion.

You’ve had lots of amazing opportunities such as NYFW, Julia Fox wearing your design, and being on Upcycle Nation. What has been the most memorable?

Other than the reactions from the newspaper dress, the coolest moment was Upcycle Nation. One of the judges is big in the upcycling community, Cho. He was having his debut fashion week collection after the show aired and he reached out to me to assist him. I worked with him on castings and fittings, even making two of the dresses and styling. It was cool making such a genuine connection with a mentor. It was great to have him bring me up with him and it was a full-circle moment. This past fashion week was the most surreal moment I’ve had so far. 

Out of all of the materials you’ve used, what is your favorite and what do you hope to experiment with next? 

Plastic bags are my favorite for the graphics and how recognizable they are. I’m currently collecting bread bag tabs so that might be next but I’m wanting to get more unconventional. 

What impact do you hope to have on the industry? 

I want people to be more aware of what they are buying and I want people to look for alternatives before making a fast fashion or luxury purchase. I want people to think harder when they shop and for people to be more thoughtful. 

Do you have a sustainability tip for beginners?

I would encourage people to keep their trash for a week and sort it to then look at the recycling rules in their town. Through collecting my own trash I’ve learned a lot about what I’m doing wrong and I think it’s an important experience to learn from.

Anna’s platform is a source of creativity for her viewers and provides tangible ways to find sustainable solutions. Her brand, Instinct Brand brings her upcycling creations to consumers and continues to grow in popularity with a new drop that is releasing soon. While referencing brands that inspire her HODA COVA was a notable mention which recently landed a collaboration with Gucci to upcycle the brand’s belts into purses. Bringing upcycling into the luxury space is a huge milestone that hopefully continues to grow. Young designers like Anna Molinari are using their platforms to create change and inspire their audience to learn more about their social impact.

Keep up with Anna on TikTok at @annamolinstinct and Instagram @annamo.1

the unwash: social impact

The concept of being neutral over the years has been highly regarded. To be non-reactive about polarizing issues or to be able to look at things from a completely objective standpoint, is often put on a pedestal. Whether it be issues in the workplace, relationships, politics, or just your personal preferences, the idea of being neutral often supersedes upfront opinions, typically for the sake of not ruffling any feathers. Talking about neutrality came as an idea after seeing Australian media mogul Flex Mami post a kitschy TikTok about how neutrality is not the ‘height of emotional maturity’, which she previously believed. This sparked the thought of how this can be applied on a larger scale to a multitude of issues we’re facing as a society.

A large part of the support for conscious consumerism and thinking about the people behind the brands we support comes from a desire to move away from passivity and be more actionable to create a larger tangible difference. When it comes to consumerism being neutral on an issue such as fast fashion or mass production feels as if one is turning a blind eye to real-world issues that are causing large-scale destruction. Many studies including one done by Harvard Business Review discuss the disconnect between neutrality and trust across the board in a variety of categories including employee-supervisor relationships, friendships, and consumer behavior. When we can state our stances and give our opinions we open ourselves up to be understood on a deeper level. This also shows competency and empathy towards community and global affairs.