We were lucky to catch up with Courtney Barriger recently and have shared our conversation below.
Courtney, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?
Almost a decade ago I was given the opportunity to start my own clothing line. When I say given, it was actually won. My little old self was named America’s It Girl on a silly reality TV show that was broadcast on Women’s Entertainment. The winnings was an apparel line, sponsored by the TV show, and as I went into research mode, I discovered how toxic the apparel industry had become. Without hesitation I saw a place I could make a difference and also live the artist life I love. Starting a company that explores and supports sustainable fashion is meaningful for a variety of reasons. For one, the fashion industry is among the most polluting industries in the world, with massive amounts of waste and carbon emissions produced each year. By promoting sustainable fashion practices, such as using eco-friendly materials, reducing waste, and supporting ethical labor practices, my company Holding Court is helping to reduce the environmental impact of the fashion industry. But I haven’t stopped just with eco designs, I am passionate about changing the paradigm of how we consume. This fall I am releasing a book with John Hunt Publishing called ReFashion Workshop, where we will explore the planet healing mindset, starting with your wardrobe. I can’t wait to share it with you.
Courtney, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
I worked in several different fields of art, painting, writing, modeling, acting, and most recently fashion design. My brand Holding Court has an international presence because of its unique retro throwback look with only sustainable materials. You might have seen me at LA fashion week or in Vanity Fair or GQ magazine. the problem with the fashion industry is that it is broken. With companies like shein we now have more clothing then our entire population of the planet can wear. If only they were made from sustainable materials, but they are not. When I learned that in America, we have in our closets 90% polyester materials, that raised a huge red flag for me. Fossil fuels are fat malleable, and now we know that micro plastics are in the air and in our bodies. Because they are able to carry bacteria through the cell membrane, we are exposed in our cells to a greater variety of viruses and bacterial infections that happen purely because of our clothing. And I haven’t even began to discuss the humanitarian crisis in the fashion industry. What I have set out to do is not only provide clean clothes for you to add to your wardrobe, I am the most proud of my book Refashion Workshop, which will be available this fall. It is full of interviews with scientists from Harvard, National, Geographic, celebrity activists, like Adrian Grenier and Ian Somerhalder, and I go in depth with how you can re-fashion your relationship with apparel with a step-by-step guide. I truly cannot wait to share all of the anecdotes I have learned over the years as an educator and Eco fashion, but also as a spiritual practitioner. This book is a crossover of many things that I love and my heart is truly with it.
How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?
In the age of AI, it will be more important than ever to listen to the unique expression that artists have to offer. You can try and create an artificial model of what we think humans want to express, but that model will always be unoriginal because it is simply mirroring what has already been done, versus integrating human ingenuity. Right now people can support artists, particularly writers painters and fashion designers by purchasing books, art posters, and artist fashion labels. Think outside of the box, appreciate that part of the human spirit that collects information and needs to express it via the arts. AI will never replace that.
Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?
Social media can be incredibly deceptive. Because as an artist, you always want to appear as if you’re constantly creating and that you are thriving. What you don’t see is how many times that artist has bottomed out their bank account, had to move onto a friends couch because they couldn’t afford their rent anymore, or the pain of giving up a project that they really love because it’s just not working. As an artist, I’ve experienced all of these moments and the only thing that keeps me going is my full belief that what I am doing does make a difference not just for strangers, but for people I love and have met over the years. if I could tell you how many times I’ve traveled on a dime only to meet the most supportive people I’ve ever come across. It doesn’t matter how much money you have, if you were willing to talk about what lights you up and keep creating, that in itself is the biggest reward. And since my art is tied to my cause of practicing mindful consumption in the fashion industry, my reward comes with every conversation I get to have about it. So keep going artists! If you really want it, there will come a day when you can recognition and are paid for all of your work. 
Contact Info:
- Website: www.holdingcourtinc.com
- Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/courtneybarriger
- Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/holdingcourtinc
- Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/holdingcourtinc