August 17, 2021
COOL FACES OF BASTET NOIR: Meet Sophie Benson, sustainability-focused freelance journalist & lecturer
Sometimes, trusting your gut proves to be the hardest thing to do, especially when it comes to the crippling idea that in order to be happy you have to be successful. So, what happens when that gut we just mentioned is letting you know that your idea of success doesn’t align with your personal beliefs anymore? As time goes by, it’s only natural that a person should change their system of values according to how they’ve experienced the world. This happens over a long period of time, and then suddenly, it clicks — this is what I stand for, and what I believe in! And what I believe in now, does not fully align with the life and career I’ve built for myself. Although it might be a hard pill to swallow, and your brain is trying to make up excuses as to why your new values will not be compromised by your current lifestyle and career choices, you should not compromise when it comes to your mental well-being being affected by the wrong profession. Acknowledging where you need to make the necessary changes and taking baby steps in the right direction might be hard at first, but all your hard work will pay off and it will be amazing when you come out standing victorious on the other end.
This is exactly what Sophie Benson did, our latest Cool Face of Bastet Noir. Her strong stance on sustainability and consumer behavior has gained her a place in top online magazine publications such as Dazed and Refinery29, as well as The Independent and The Guardian. In this article, she explains how she changed her mentality, worked on herself, and was patient that the right path will find her, even when she thought there was no other path to begin with. If you’d like to find out more about how Sophie switched her career choices for the better, keep on reading!
Sophie Benson wearing The Gloria Blazer custom-made for her
Who is Sophie Benson?
I’m a freelance journalist, working with a focus on sustainable fashion, consumerism, and the environment. I write for publications including The Guardian, The Independent, Dazed, Raconteur, and Refinery29. Outside of work, I love to spend time on my allotment, at home relaxing with my cat, playing piano, and making things. I sew, crochet, weave, and I’ve recently developed a love for woodwork too.
What’s your morning routine like?
It looks pretty much the same every day! I get up, drink an oat milk latte (usually made by my boyfriend while I’m in bed), and have tofu and spinach on toast. I exercise, shower, and then head to my desk to work on whichever article, report, or interview is in my diary.
You are an avid spokeswoman for transparency and accountability in fashion, and your mission is one that resonates with us deeply. Was there a pivotal moment in your life when you decided to start educating yourself (and later on, others) on sustainable fashion and consumerism?
It was a slow build initially. I learnt a tiny amount about supply chains at university and did some research into sustainability and waste during my final year, but then it got somewhat forgotten. I always made an effort to shop vintage or second hand and because of that, I started to think about where new clothes came from and who was making them. I read books and watched documentaries and one day I just felt I could no longer justify buying fast fashion. I was also working as an e-commerce stylist on and off, so I made the decision to transition my career too, as it no longer lined up with my values.
