Who What Why: Besma Whayeb
Hi, I’m Besma!
I’m the author of award-winning fashion blog Curiously Conscious, and founder of the Ethical Influencers network. Thanks for inviting me to support SATCoL and share my story!
My story starts with the creation of my blog. Curiously Conscious is my journal where I document kinder ways to live and dress. I started my blog in 2014, when I was living in Paris, nestled in a tiny sixth-floor flat in Montparnasse. There, I began to explore the French way of doing things, starting with food. I’d previously been used to buying pizza to bung in the oven, but quickly realised the French are much more connected to the seasons and nature with the way they eat. I started buying fresh food from the farmer’s market that would take place just across from my street, and learning about seasonal food, agriculture, and why it’s important to know where our food comes from.
This shift led to me questioning where everything comes from, and chiefly, fashion. As a student, I didn’t have much money to spend on clothes, and I often felt priced out of the high street, with charity shops offering a welcome reprise. While in Paris, I also learned that keeping up with trends wasn’t the only way to dress; instead, I became inspired to find my own personal style. Today, I like to think my wardrobe expresses key moments in my life, and key aspects of my personality: French, feminine, classic, with an edge.
WHO
It’s hard to put a finger on who I am exactly, but I’d like to hope that my work creates a positive influence. I am an influencer, yes, but one that hopes to promote ethical ways to enjoy fashion, beauty, travel, and lifestyle.
I’m also an entrepreneur, founding the Ethical Influencers network back in 2018. This started as a passion project, aiming to connect a number of people I had met personally through a platform where we could engage and support each others’ content. Social media is quite a lonely place, constantly promoting individualism without much opportunity of real connection. Upon its launch in June 2018, Ethical Influencers received over 100 membership applications within the first 30 days. I was stunned! People from around the world, who I didn’t know, wanted to join a free membership platform promoting sustainability in their own authentic ways. Today, membership has grown to over 1,300 creators, operating in 65 countries, and having supported more than 400 campaigns.
My work is a large aspect of who I am, but it’s not everything. I also feel very lucky to be able to volunteer a lot of my time to local charities here in Brighton. I am a Co-Organiser of Brighton Fashion Collective, which is an initiative of the long-standing charity Brighton Peace & Environment Centre. Our core team puts on community events to promote sustainable fashion in the city, headlined by our annual Sustainable Fashion Week, taking place at the end of September. I also support SATCoL and The Salvation Army in inviting my audience to donate their clothes and frequent charity shops. And when I can, I’ll take part in community beach cleans, to keep my local environment as healthy and happy as possible.
WHAT
I am a Communicator, and I chiefly communicate across my blog - curiouslyconscious.com - and on social media (@besmacc).
For a long time, I didn’t value the work I do, because I couldn’t really see the impact my communication had. I’ve always personally enjoyed finding kinder ways to live and dress, but does that really translate? After years of writing, creating content, and putting on events, I’m happy to say that it does. I receive over 10,000 readers per month, 60,000 views on Instagram, and lots of lovely messages. While it’s great to take action and support charity - be it through donating clothes, donating money, or donating time - it’s also important to communicate the benefits, and encourage more people to do the same.
WHY
Why do I do what I do? It’s partly my upbringing, partly my life experiences, and partly my hope that if we all acted in a way that supported social and environmental sustainability, the world would be a much nicer place.
Since I started writing, I’ve seen sustainability grow and become both a worthy investment in my own life, and a powerful change affecting all parts of society. It’s all a step in the right direction and I love being part of the new media covering it all.
If you are to make one change after reading this, make it one small thing that you do habitually. If you buy a coffee on your way to work, get a reusable mug. If you enjoy fashion, make a monthly donation of old clothes to SATCoL via the online take-back scheme, or at a local clothes bank. And consider the systems you use - who you bank with, who supplies the energy to your home - and how you can choose providers doing things ethically.