Haute Talk with Caroline Zimbalist | Rethinking Materials

What if the future of fashion isn't made from plastic at all, but from seaweed, cornstarch, and materials we haven't fully embraced yet?

In this episode of The Lexy Show, Lexy Silverstein sits down with Caroline Zimbalist, a New York-based biomaterial artist and designer whose work blends fashion, art, and sustainability. Using handmade biodegradable bioplastics, Caroline creates sculptural clothing, jewelry, and home objects that challenge what fashion can be while reducing its reliance on petroleum-based materials. 

Lexy and Caroline explore why the materials we wear matter just as much as the designs themselves. They discuss how Caroline developed her signature bioplastic process, the opportunities and current limitations of biomaterials, and why innovation is essential if the fashion industry hopes to reduce its environmental impact. They also talk about wearable art, the role of experimental designers in shaping the future of sustainable fashion, and how artists like Chappell Roan have helped introduce more people to emerging biomaterial design. If you've ever wondered what comes after polyester and synthetic fabrics, this conversation offers an exciting glimpse into what's possible. 

Follow Caroline Zimbalist:
📍 Instagram: @carolinezimbalist
🌎 Website: https://www.carolinezimbalist.com

If you enjoyed this conversation, be sure to subscribe to The Lexy Show, leave a review, and share this episode with someone who's ready to make more mindful choices for themselves and the planet.

Transcript

Lex-Caroline Zimbalist

[00:00:00] Welcome to the  The Lexy Show

Welcome to the Lexi Show. Fashion that gives a damn where we expose fast fashion and celebrate the brands and products actually making a difference for our planet. I'm Lexi Silverstein, and today I am talking with Caroline Symbolist, an artist and designer known for working with natural materials and creating pieces that explore our connection to nature through a more intentional, slow approach to design.

If you're new here, head to Lexi over sign.com for information on sustainable and eco-conscious living. And if you love what you hear, subscribe and share this episode. It helps more than you think. Caroline, welcome. How are you doing?

Hi. Hello. Hi, how are you? Lexi, nice to meet you. I am so good. How are you? It's nice to meet you too. Good. I'm doing well. It's a nice day and it's a Friday, so that's good. Where are you based? I'm in Long Island City, Queens. Oh, okay. Yes. What about you? Different sides of the I'm in la. Oh, nice.

Okay, cool. I didn't know where you were based actually, so let's, yeah. So is it okay. It's getting warmer LA in the Yes, it's getting warmer here. Okay, good. Where in LA are you from? Are you based? I live in Culver City, so like right next to Marina Delrey, Venice. Oh my god. Nice area. That's so nice. Yeah, I like it a lot.

I used to live in downtown LA and that was not for the week, so I'm happy. Yes. Happier in Culver. Good. Glad to hear it. Yeah. Thanks so much for coming on and chatting. I usually run through some answers, some frequently asked questions, and then if you have any other follow up questions, I can answer those as well and then we can get started on the actual podcast questions, if that works for you.

Okay? Yeah. Sounds great. So I record audio and video. I use the video for YouTube and for a short social snippet only if you're okay with that. If not, I can do a graphic. Yeah, no, totally fine. Okay, perfect. And then yeah, maybe let me get a sting to amp up the laptop quick actually. Oh, you're so fine.

Yeah. Whatever works for you. I'm realizing there's all these things in the back. I usually use this one second. I got it.

Nice. Do this.

Okay. The same, but, okay. Perfect. I love it. Gorgeous. Great love. Okay, great. And then where was I? The podcast is edited. Okay. So if you need to restart a sentence or you need to open a door or something like that, no worries at all. Okay. My dog is literally currently staring at me and I Okay. Can see that she's gonna bark at some point.

Yeah. No, I have two right here also. Oh my God. Okay, love. Yay. Yes, there's more. And they're like crazy playing right now. Oh my God. Okay. My dog's a four pound little rat dog. So very different. Oh. But I'm obsessed. I love that. Yeah. We actually have a third one too that's also a little like small really rat type of dog.

We actually call him rat. I literally, we call my dog a rat, like she is a rat's funny, and she just got a haircut, so she's it's either that she's like rat ratty, where she's her here is like all grown out and she looks bad, crazy, or she's like a rat where she's like shaven and she looks, she just, I wish she would come over here, but she's oh my god.

Yeah, no, she sounds sweet. She is ridiculous, but she is a rat. Yes, that is a rat. I love that we both have dogs. Yeah. I literally am obsessed with dogs. Like I love all dogs. My friends, the other day, she has two Australian shepherds. Oh. And she, my whole friend group except for one of my friends who's a cat person.

We all like. Obsess over dogs. Yeah. And my friend was just like, I just love how much you guys love dogs. And I was like, I just do the best. They're the best. I know, I do too. I feel like, yeah. My, my husband is actually a good dog trainer, so we Oh, really? Yeah. So I actually never even grew up with dogs 'cause like my dad was allergic.

So we, I feel like, wow. Like now I have all the dogs in the woods. Yeah. You've made up for the time that you did. Yeah, exactly. So funny how that works out. My parents, we didn't, I didn't have a dog until I was seven years old and I really wanted a dog, and my dad made me prove that I would be responsible enough.

Mind you, I have a brother who's four years older than me, but Okay. I was the one who had to prove. You had to prove it. Yeah. Yeah. So I would walk an imaginary dog around the block, like every single morning. Wow. And every night. And then I like would rent out, I, at like our elementary school library, we were allowed to rent out like three books.

And I would rent out all of the books about having a dog or whatever. Oh, now she comes here. Oh my rat. Lemme see. Lucy. Oh my god, she's so sweet. Oh she's a rat. She mine. Yeah. It's like a little Yorkie type of dog. She's a rat. She's a Yorkie. She's I love her bow. Oh, she's so cute. She a rat.

She's nice. Yeah, she's really sweet. I just can't, with her hair cut, like me and my boyfriend keep laughing at her. 'cause we're like, oh my God, you look like a rat. Yeah. Anyways, so we finally. We prove. I proved myself, to my father. Yeah. And we were finally allowed a dog for the holidays. And then that was my family dog.

And she's also a Yorkie and she's 15 years old. Still kicking, living a good life. They do. Yeah. They last a long time in this small goal. They do. And then I got this one five years ago now, I cannot believe she's five. Oh my God. Same. I got my German Shepherd five years ago, so he at least six, like in a few months, but oh yeah.

God, they're so great. Dogs are just the best. Anyways, so Sorry, I got soda shots. Yes. No, we're good. Okay. Yeah, so if there's anything that you need to restart, we can edit anything, so no worries about that. The question that Abby sent over are definitely a good guide of what we'll be sticking to, but I'd love it to be super conversational.

So if you say something that kind of answers a later question. Don't worry about that. Okay. I'll give my questions around your answers. You don't have to give your answers around my questions. Okay. And then aside from that, once the podcast is live, Abby will send over a link to the YouTube video, the podcast itself, and then the social snippet.

I always add everyone as like a collaborator on the post, and I always encourage people to accept it so we can get as much reach as possible and then see if it's like. Doesn't match the feed the aesthetic. Remove it from your main grid. Yes. But no worries if not. And then other than that, do you have any other questions?

No I'm excited. Yay. Yeah, I'm looking forward to talking. I like the questions that were thought out and yeah. Okay. Great. Thank you. I love to hear it. Yes. Okay, perfect. So we can get started on the actual podcast questions then. Okay, great. So let's start at the beginning. What drew you to working with natural materials and sustainability in your art and design?

Yes. I went to Parson School of Design for, I majored in fashion design and I minored in fine art. And I was always extremely interested in materiality and working with unusual, unconventional [00:01:00] materials. So I. Started out working with, things that you can easily find on the market, like silicone urethane, rubber.

And very quickly I actually was experimenting with these toxic materials in a small room, like a dorm room, and I basically poisoned myself. So like I got silicone poisoning, I was sleeping in the room that I was working in and there is like small fine print on these things, but they don't really, highlight, like how dangerous they are to be using for students in these like small apartments. So after that was like a pivotal moment where I thought to myself, I still I'm an artist at heart. I've been drawing, painting, creating my whole life. So how can I, experiment or create something that's not using chemicals or not using something that's toxic and I'm gonna get sick from it.

So I started. Doing some research and a professor of mine actually suggested I look into the world of bioplastic. So I [00:02:00] just did like a Google search on Biomaterial bioplastic, and I came across something called the Biomaterial Cookbook, and that is online for anybody. It's a public knowledge and it's a like a cookbook where it has about 30 recipes of different biomaterial.

Creations that you can just experiment on your household stove and make with like very little energy and like with the resources you have. So that's what drew me into this, working with a more natural and sustainable process and material. Wow. And then in addition to that, just being with like living animals now and you don't wanna be working with something that like, could be detrimental.

Yeah, no, completely. I think that is probably something that other people have experienced where I'm like the little labels of like how this is harmful is so small. It's yes, I feel like that should maybe be bigger. Yes, let's. [00:03:00] Safety and health is in harm's way. We could make it the print just a little bit bigger.

Exactly. Exactly. So I think that's really cool. And I'll have to check out this cookbook that's so cool. I definitely, I could share that link. Oh my god. Yeah, please do. So can you share, can you walk us through what your creative process look like and like how does it what, how does it come from this idea to this finished piece?

Yes. So I would say I'm very observant and I'm constantly just capturing. Color palettes or textures around me, mostly in the natural world. If I have, if I see some sort of like climbing vine plant for example that I'm just like, wow. Like I'm really drawn to, how long it is and that green color and then the ball shape and instead of just 2D sketching that idea and maybe translating into a print.

I'm always thinking of like, how really far can I push this and create. Iteration of what I'm inspired by. So a lot of the [00:04:00] times it starts with sketching. Like I'm very much old fashioned in the way where I constantly am writing lists every single day and sketching ideas that come to mind.

Very loose, expressive sketching. And I then will come up with what color palette I'm going to use and that will de then that will really determine how the overall product will look. But in terms of picking the colors, I use a variety of pigments. So I will go into my cabinet and my pantry and see what I have to create, let's say a green.

So there's spirulina powder there's matcha powder. There's a bunch of natural things that can achieve those colors. And then there's also, more. Other pigments that you can find at BL or art stores that are also really interesting to experiment with, like watercolors or natural dyes and stuff like this.

So I'll gather my ingredients of colors and then. From there, I, let's say I'm going to be [00:05:00] creating a vessel. So something, this is a small vessel, but it's a good example just 'cause it's green. So you know, I have this shape and this color palette in mind. So I turn on my stove and everything is made on the household stove still to this day.

So I fill the pot with water. And the mixture is about 80% water. So I am heating the water slightly, and then from there I'm adding the ingredients that will achieve whatever I wanna make. So like for a vessel, it's hard and it's rigid. So I need something that's really starch based and something that will bind and create like a hard exterior.

So through a lot of experimentation, I have these recipes. If something's hard, if something's soft, if something's semi-soft or transparent, and then I am stirring, like I'm actually cooking this. So I am mixing my powders, I'm adding glycerin, I'm adding odor neutralizers, and I ultimately am.

Concocting this mixture. And the [00:06:00] mixture is then turn off the stove. So it's still in a warm hot state and I'm actually batching it into different cups or Tupperware for example. And that is how you're able to achieve like a variety of color spectrum. So you can dye one batch like a, with a beet root and get like a burgundy and then dye the rest, different shades of green.

So then from there. I have my colorations and you, I typically let it cool for a bit, but. Also, depending on what you're making the heat can actually benefit the design. For example, like if you like similar like cooking, if you're pouring like two hot liquids together, they're just gonna like go together.

Versus if you pour one and let it cool and then pour the other, it could layer on top or it can actually create like a nice like color blocking effect. So I'm actually taking these liquids and I'm pouring them into molds and, from there, they're curing for about 10 to 12 hours. And after they're [00:07:00] cured the following day, I typically then pop them out of the mold or peel them up from whatever pore I did, and then I manipulate them with my hands.

I might take them and like twist the material. It almost feels like a rubber when it's cured, so you can like. Pick it up like a fabric, but then further engineer it, so twist it and tape it or use rubber bands or drape it over objects and. It will hold whatever, or imprint to whatever you have it touching.

So it's a really cool process. So like for this one, for example, it was dyed with a charcoal powder. It's all black. And how I got this texture was adding little seed beads when it was still wet. So when it cured, it submerged everything into the one sculpture. And that's the process of like idea two.

Final product. And there's a ton of shapes that you can create. There's the traditional vessel there's a lot more like flat types of [00:08:00] pieces. There's I'm working on this new like mushroom embellishment, that's really cool. But again, like what I'm showing you is quite flat. So for example, like even just like really interesting plant-like amorphous shapes is just really cool to experiment with and that is how the pieces are made. Wow. You're like, I'm speechless. You're like a scientist meets designer meets. Chef 'cause you're cooking it up. Like I'm like, oh my God, this is insane. Thank you. It is quite like a chaotic Yes. It's a very like a performative thing.

I'm obsessed. That's so freaking cool. God, I wish this is and no shade at all. Yes, but everyone was watching the like love story TV show and everyone was like, Carolyn Bassett Kennedy. She's so like [00:09:00] chic and. And whatever. And then I feel like we're, we were getting a lot of pieces that were like, how to achieve that look?

And I'm like, no, like fashion is this this is fashion. Yeah. This is oh, you should be designing stuff for the Met Gala. Yes. Let's, yeah. Here's like the perfect year for that. I know. We're like really? Fingers crossed. We had, I had one moment in 2023 where I got to dress an editor, which was a really exciting thing.

But I agree, this year's theme is like pretty much like exactly. Aligned in my world. Yeah. Yeah. So yeah it's quite interesting. And then of course, like two other little facts, like the material is like fully biodegradable. I'm cooking it at the end of the day. I could put it back in the pot and turn it on and it will like, return to a liquid.

And. Yeah, of course there's like a lot of process that goes into it, like having dogs all around. Like I'm constantly vacuuming to make sure there's no hair that's like floating and will capture in the material. So yeah, there's a lot of little details that go into it. And then I would say my creative [00:10:00] process is quite chaotic in the way where I am.

Like purging ideas all the time. Like it's every single day I'm experimenting with an idea, even if it's just oh, I wanna see how this color will look before I make it into a large piece. So let me cut up a piece of silk and just put it on. And then after I do that I'm like, oh, wait a minute.

Now this looks like an amazing bead. And it turns into a whole nother thing. Yeah. It's crazy, honestly. I'm like, I think that's how just. Being a creative is I'm like, you never know when the inspiration will strike. And I'm like, i'm not designing anything, but like even when I like put an outfit together, it will look like a tornado went through my apartment because it's like, this thing made me think of this thing and that made me think of this, and then I found this exactly, and then I couldn't find the thing I was looking for.

So then I had to find this, but then I later found the thing I was looking for, so then I threw that on the ground. And then it's like my boyfriend who I live with will leave the apartment to go to like work or school or whatever. [00:11:00] And. It'll be clean and then he'll come back. And it's like a disaster. And I'm like, sorry, I had to pick out my outfit for work.

This was, I get it. Yeah. And I'm just like, that's how I feel like being a creative is you never really know how our mind is gonna work. It just works. Yes. And one dot connects the next, and then it's yeah. Maybe a few weeks later you're like, oh my God. Wait. Yes. That's why I did that three months ago.

Yeah. No. Literally I will look back at outfits that I put together, and I'm like, you know what would've made this better is if I did this, and that. Yeah. Yeah. And I'll sit there and do, it's like when you have a fight with someone and you think later and you're like, oh, I should have said this.

Yeah. It's like that. But with the creative project. Yes. No, completely. And sometimes it's right in front of you, yeah. But it's not Right for this time. Yeah. Like maybe in a few weeks. Yeah. I totally resonate with that. I love it. I love it. I think that a lot of people think of sustainability as restrictive but your work feels very expansive and expressive.

So how do you balance these two things? Yes. [00:12:00] I would say that there definitely is restrict restrictions to everything and all materials. Specifically I think like for the biomaterial that I'm working with, like one, just like really obviousness restriction is that it can't really be like, sewn through at the state.

That it's at. Creating. Creating like more wearable functional garments. I can't really approach it the same way I would approach like traditional pattern making and sewing and grading and scaling and all of that. Like it's really about like finding creative ways to craft your design.

I think. Another thing that I find with some like sustainability, like practices, and specifically this one, is like when cooking with biomaterial, a lot of it is derived from like animals or shrimp shells, eggs, milk, like things like this, like seaweed, things that actually have like really.

Horrendous smells. So like when, using those byproducts and by turning on heat, believe it, like the [00:13:00] entire apartment will start, the studio will start to smell. So oh my gosh. Yeah. It's like really about okay, this is go, this is a fact. So like now how do I like.

Odor eliminate with something natural. And that's been like a real challenge over the last few years, especially while working with like a softer version of the biomaterial because people wear it and they get their body heat gets to it and they start to sweat and then it activates the proteins in the mixture, so it, I think there's like restrictions for everything. But I do feel lucky. I feel that like I implemented such an interesting process end. At while I was a student. And I think that's like the best time to do it is like young, where like you're still like so flexible with your ideas and you're like a little bit more open-minded.

So you're able to adapt to these ideas better than when you're older and a little bit more like set in your ways. Yeah, I think all of that tied in is ways that I think, like I'm balancing that restrictive yeah. Stereotype of sustainability. Yeah. Yeah.

That is so amazing. [00:14:00] I, sometimes I'm just like. I guess it's like what you were saying where it's I guess people are just maybe already set in their ways. Yeah, but I'm like, sometimes it's just I'm like blasphemy the things that I hear about sustainability or like the misconceptions where it's oh, it's boring, and it's like you have your capsule closet or whatever, and it's like you can only wear.

Nudes and one pair of jeans or whatever. And I'm like that's one version of sustainability for sure. But then there's what you're doing and it's sustainable and it's creative and it's colorful and it's beautiful. And it's like it doesn't have to be what you think it is in your brain.

Yes, exactly. And like I, even when I started, I felt like, yeah, we're used to these like drab colors and like almost a potato sack looking when we think Yeah. Literally. And it's yeah. It's it's actually so much more than that. And I love to see so many more like designers on such a high level experimenting with like really cool natural materials.

'cause I think, that's really how it's gonna become more mainstream, right? Like [00:15:00] I think that's the answer to that. Yeah, no, completely. Oh gosh. I like really need you to work with someone at the Met Gala. Be I know. Be we manifesting it would be so perfect for so many reasons.

'cause like obviously what you're doing is so the theme this year, but then also like to have people be able to talk about what you're doing and how it's sustainable on such a big platform would be like. So ideal. Yes. Yes. I know. I'm like, after this, maybe I have to push an email forward. Yeah, I know.

I'm like, I don't, I'm like, who? Who do I know? I'm like, I don't, there's I don't know. I know that she went one year with Stella McCartney, so I don't know if she just like casually goes or if she. When, because it was with Stella McCartney, but my append is like a great sustainable advocate. And I know one year she went and I'm like, I feel like she would be really cool 'cause she's already talking about sustainability.

Okay. I'm jotting it down. And then interesting about the whole like, yeah, Ella McCartney is like one of the leading like sustainable Yeah. Like [00:16:00] control voices, yeah. Interesting. I'm gonna write that down. Write that down. Anyways, on that note, on how sustainability is perceived, how do you personally define sustainability beyond maybe just materials or production?

Yes. It's a really good question because I always say that like in order to. Be doing like a sustainable practice. Like we truly have to be sustaining ourselves. Like I think at the end of the day, like we are also like these creations and if the art cannot be made without me, so it's like I have to make sure that I am like, making sure that I'm in a calm state of mind and like I'm not stressed and all of these things that like will help me, do my practice.

And I think that, yeah, I would just say,

let me think. Let me think. Yeah, no, you're good. It's I think, sorry, I like wrote something down that I like wanted to just touch on. Okay. Yes. I really do think it's like this like idea of like just being like. Really present and aligned with what you're doing and making sure you're doing it like for you and not because of like outside voices, because it will just [00:17:00] harm yourself and then create more waste I think at the end of the day.

Yeah. And yeah. And then just making sure that you are, being grateful for what you have and working with the resources you have and not getting caught up again in a lot of outside like sustainable, that type of, all of that. Yeah. Truly like doing what feels right for you and like working with what you have, I think is already sustainable enough.

Yeah, no, completely. That's something I, 'cause right now we're in Earth month and. I will always notice that so many brands talk about Earth Month and there's so many events all of a sudden for the planet, and I'm like, that is so amazing. Great. I totally encourage that to keep happening, but I'm like, guys, we can talk about this all year round.

It doesn't just have to be like for Earth Month. Yes. And there's in LA there's an LA Climate Wake, I believe there's a New York climate, Waco as well. I don't know if there's a Long Island one, but [00:18:00] maybe. But every time that LA Climate Week comes around, I'm always like, I feel like burnt out because I'm like, I feel like I feel the need to be going to all of these events because there's not always sustainable events happening.

And so I wanna make sure I'm going to all the ones that are happening. Yes. And then l Summit week will end and I'm just like, oh my God. I like am exhausted and I. Like I'm burnt out and I don't wanna go to another event ever again. Yeah. And then it's like you, did you even retain any information? Yeah.

Because you were like, yeah, exactly. Yeah. And I'm just like going, because I feel like pressure to, because there's not always sustainable events to go to, and I care about that and I want to attend them. I just wish that we didn't only have to do them during Earth month. Yes. Very, that's a really good point.

I completely agree with that. Yeah. And so I'm like, this year going into LA Climate Week I think starts on like Monday. So I was like, this year going into it, I am only going, I'm going to do my [00:19:00] workday, see what happens, and then if I feel up to it at the end of the day, I will then go to the event.

Yes. But if I don't go, it's okay. There's no pressure. It's not the end of the world. There's always gonna be another LA Climate Week. Like it'll be fine. And I think that is important to remember, especially just in terms of sustainability. 'cause there's always like more that we can be doing, but it's important to take it one day at a time and be able to sustain it in your own life. Yes, I completely agree with that. There's always, yeah, like even just doing one little thing a day, yeah. Is better than nothing. Exactly. So how do you think that art and fashion, because I feel like so much of sustainability is like storytelling.

Yes. So how do you think art and fashion can influence the way people think about sustainability? Yes. Great question. I would say that. Being like a designer and like being in this like art, in this art and in this fashion world, it's I feel that [00:20:00] there's, many opportunities to dress celebrities or dress like influential socialites or people that have, hundreds of thousands of millions of followers and that are so influential to that their followers. I think by like almost using them as a vessel to showcase a sustainable design, like what we were just talking about, like the MET Gala, like how incredible would that be if like. Be a pen shows up in like a full biomaterial gown, right?

And then it's what is that material? And it's, instead of looking at it, maybe some people may think of it more like a crafty DIY type of thing, or like a not a couture material. Because of the finishing or whatnot. But it's like in like, why don't we change our mindset? And then it's, oh my goodness, like we, that can actually like return to the earth and not go to a landfill.

And that's not gonna get tossed in like without all the other thousands of beaded dresses. There's such a story component to just that, of wearing that type of [00:21:00] piece that I think, is really that's gonna be what channels and what brings a lot of these like more unconventional materials to like mainstream spotlight.

I think just more conversations, more buzz. Everybody wants to follow a trend. Everyone wants to be on like the hype train and all that. So I think like the minute it's written up on. Hype Bay Hypebeast, it's immediately cool where, it's, I think it's a lot of that. Like recently I just I have some vessels that are featured on an Apple TV show.

And actually it's funny 'cause the season comes out today and they told me it was like the vessels were either gonna be in episode one or episode two and two comes out next Friday. And I today like, was just skimming through to see, but I didn't see it. So I'm like, okay, must be in two.

But it's like this, and neighbors. And the these pieces of mine are featured in the mansion scene, like a really millionaire mansion. And it's wow. Okay, if that's the art that character's investing in, then you know, that's what normal people should be investing in type of thing.

Yeah. So it's okay, creates [00:22:00] more buzz. It creates more I need that. Yeah. Yeah. No, definitely. I think yeah. When I we're talking a lot about the Met Gala and stuff, but there's so many things throughout the year. There's like movie premieres and award season and all these things, and I'm always just obviously there's things that us as consumers and individuals can do in our life to.

Be more sustainable. And I always encourage people to do that. But I think when we have these like big time events like the Met Gala and award season and movie premieres, like I would love to see, I think more of the people that have these huge platforms be talking about these things or have it featured in these big things because it's like Billie Eilish is like a great example where it's like she yeah.

Is a major star. She is. Adoring fans who Yeah. Dress like her because they love her so much, or Yeah. Go to every single one of her concerts because they love her so much and she's a big advocate for [00:23:00] sustainability and I believe she's a vegan and Yeah. All those things. And I'm like, when you, when her as a, like a big star promotes these things, it makes.

All of her fans want to be more sustainable and want to be this, and so I'm like, there's such a big impact that we can have through completely like having these things featured and bringing these things and talking to the about these things and just encouraging people to get more involved, whether it's.

Whatever way they do. I don't know. Yeah, no, completely. It's like the trickle down effect, yeah. It's yeah. It's if a boss is mean, like all the employees are gonna be like mean to each other type of thing. Yeah. So it's like Exactly. Yeah. The same rule applies like for this, and I think it's, yeah, it's definitely like one step at a time.

Yeah. Yeah. Yeah, I think that's in general an i important life lesson, one step at a time. Agreed. Agreed. I especially think with sustainability where it's [00:24:00] like there's so much pressure to be doing everything where it's just do one thing. Yeah. No, completely. And it's yes, there's even a pressure to like, yes.

Get. Get the material out in the mainstream, get it like selling. But it's like maybe we just have conversations about it first. I remember someone telling me like nylon took over a hundred years from like the first experiments to when it really was like sellable, like on the market.

And it's wow. If that's the case, then like maybe I'm one of the first to be experimenting with biomaterial, but like way long after me, it will actually finally be in a state to like sew and sell and stuff. Yeah. But like how cool that like I'm able to like experiment with it now. Yeah. Yeah.

Yeah, exactly. I hope. I hope that's the future everyone's working with. I do too. Something. Something like it. Yeah. Yeah. So cool. So what we've talked, I feel like a little bit about misconceptions, but what's one misconception about sustainable design or slow creation that you wish more people understood?

Yeah, we definitely, I think that's a great question and kind of stemming from what we spoke about, like this idea that [00:25:00] it's boring and it's like not exciting and even the word like sustainable, it just has this kind of like connotation around it now. Yeah. So like I feel I feel like.

It's what people don't like. What really people don't understand is at the end of the day, like a sustainable design is like truly like a hands-on, thought out, intentional creation. And it's like a lot more special and important than like a trendy, fast fashion thing. It's I really think that and also these people that are like s.

They're looking at garments up close, they're looking at the finishes, they're looking at the craftsmanship that went into it. Like a sustainable design will really reflect that versus something you're finding in these stores where like the yarns are really, are like literally falling apart and like you wear it once and like you're bo like stay, like stays in it forever because it's the cheapest material ever and it's embedded in the fabric and it's i'm sorry, but like we just paid, I paid like $50 for this tank top that like I'm really never even gonna wear anymore. Yeah, it's like cute. But like I [00:26:00] actually rather invest in something that's has this story and I'm able to be like, wow, this is really well made. And then the people that know, so it's almost like that quiet luxury where like you, if something's well made on somebody, if it's not, yeah. So I think that's a lot of the misconception around it. Yeah, completely. I think that su, I feel like the big one is always sustainable fashions so expensive. And I'm like, yeah, okay.

Like obviously if you're paying for something where someone made it. By hand in their kitchen. Yes, that's gonna be expensive for someone. Every single person on the supply chain is being paid fairly and working in safe conditions. And like it's made from a really great material and stuff like, yes, like at that point you're investing in quality.

But some of the things that we also just do in our day to day are. Can be considered sustainable and you don't even like necessarily realize that you're doing them. And then definitely you were saying like, it's just because this term [00:27:00] sustainability has become such like a buzzword that you bring it up and people are like, Ugh.

You're gonna see a lecture or something. And I'm like, no, it's cool guys. Sustainability, yes. Sexy. It really is. And it's funny 'cause it's like I, I never even at the end of the day, I'm an artist, right? Like I've, I only applied to like design schools and art schools, and that's I always just knew what I wanted to do.

I felt really blessed, but it's I never was like, I'm a sustainability queen. Like I wasn't like, I'm an art sustainability. It was very much, I'm an artist. And then yeah, like sustainability almost found me. Yeah, like by almost dying from a toxic material that. A lot of artists are using. Yeah, I wasn't able to handle it, so then it's wow, the sustainability found me and that was my only route.

So it's like now I'm trying to make it as cool as possible. Hell yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Literally it's like you take the things that happen and you adjust accordingly and it might lead you down a really cool road. I think that's something that I feel like we're talking a lot about, kind of microplastics, but even just like [00:28:00] materials that aren't the best for you. I think a lot of people are, at least on my for you page, on social media and I feel like a lot of Gen Z are like big on like the health kick. Yes, so much of Gen Zs are like drinking alcohol or like that's like a big thing right now.

Yes, exactly. And so I feel like along those lines people are talking about oh the fabrics that make up our clothes and how like polyester and nylon are great or like maybe they cause you rashes or maybe the chemicals in your clothes that created the dye that gave it that color, or causing you rashes and it's again, because these things are, causing these health issues, which are a huge reality. So many of the, pfas and BPAs and stuff that are in our clothes literally lead to like infertility and yes. Cancer and skin issues and stuff. And so it's like with these things are horrible.

Yeah. But they're a reality with what? Like how we're shopping nowadays [00:29:00] with all these plates and stuff. And so it's important to like if that, horrible thing happens to occur, you'd get that skin rash or something like that. Learning and adjusting accordingly. And I feel like that personal aspect of even though it wasn't necessarily, I'm not doing it necessarily to be sustainable, I'm more just ah, shit this really irritated my skin and now I.

Switching to a better alternative, like it still takes you down that road of being more mindful Exactly. And sustainable. Completely. No completely. I do think like Gen Z is very much like in tune or in touch with what's going on a little bit more. And people I've heard are like detoxing more like getting rid of, yeah.

Candles and just things that are Yeah. Proven to really bad, so Agreed. Agreed. Yeah. Yeah, it's, it's all over my for you page, but also my free page just knows me a little too well, so yes. I'm like saying this as if maybe everyone's experiencing this, and then I'm like the algorithm might be getting to me.

[00:30:00] Yes. It knows. But anyways, you were named to the Forbes 30 under 30, 20, 25 list, which is so fricking incredible. Congratulations. What did that accomplishment mean to you? Yes. Oh my goodness. Thank you. It was just, it's still every time I hear it, it's just like the tingles, like that's such a wonderful, exciting thing.

I would say I grew up super shy and I actually, I. Even though I was, talented and everything, it was I always would be like applying to these competitions and things. And even starting in high school, like I remember like portfolio competitions and then college and I.

I would get second, third, fourth place, like type of thing, or even not even listed at all. And it's the type of thing that like finally I feel recognized for work that I've been doing, and it's like maybe I wasn't recognized 10 years ago, but it's wow, maybe the body of work is really now what's speaking volumes And yeah. I've been told no hundreds of [00:31:00] times. So it's it means like resilience and it means yeah, I am an artist. What I thought was interesting was that the toast that they held, like when we found out we were on the list, everybody's there like saying what they're, from their companies that they started and usually when you're in a room or like at a party with people like around our age, and you say that, what do you do? What do you do? And you go, I'm an artist. It has this. A little bit like really, what do you really do? What's your full, right. But it's like in that setting to say no, I'm an artist, and like owning it.

And then it's yeah, hell yeah. That like you are an artist and like you made the list. Oh, so it had this whole like I felt that the first time actually 27 years old. Like I was like feeling that and now. I feel it like I own it. So it's, that's what it means. It just is like amazing. I love that.

That is so incredible. Congratulations. I know. Thank you. That's something, even just i've been posting on social media since I was like, I don't even know, 13 years old or something like that. Yeah. And I had a blog and like I still have a [00:32:00] blog, but like I had a different blog when I was 13 and I was writing these like silly little blog posts and then in high school I was posting on social.

Yeah. And like it really is so interesting how social media works. 'cause I'm like, even though I've been posting about this for years and years, it's like randomly. Like a little bit more recently, I've had some success with some of the other things that I've been doing, and I've kinda switched things up and I'm like, okay, you know what?

Like even though I've been doing this consistently, obviously I wasn't like. Similar to what you were saying, where it's I think like more of the work, very different. I'm like posting little graphics on social than making Yeah. Than making gorgeous, beautiful art. But I'm just like, it really, it's just so interesting and I think it's at the end of the day just like a sign to keep going.

Yeah. And keep trying and see what happens. Yeah. And even though it's sometimes hard to keep up that motivation, I think it's really important too, and it's like a really good life lesson to [00:33:00] learn. Yes. I completely agree. It's like just, yeah, whatever motivates you, like really lean into it and just keep doing it because yeah, it's like.

There's gonna be a time when you don't have an order waiting for you or a client that wants something, and you might have a few weeks of like nothing. And then it's what are you gonna do, just like mope or switch it up. It's no, like you're gonna keep creating or doing what motivates you because Yeah, you're doing it for you.

Yeah, exactly. Yeah. So amazing. What is next for you? Yes. So what is next for me? Let's see. I have so yes, it is Earth Month, which is like so exciting. Yeah. Yeah. I am going to be having a little trunk show where I'll be having my biomaterial vessels and a canoe collection of rings, earrings, broaches, and like pendants, all at the Museum of Art and Design in the city.

Oh my God. In Manhattan. So that's gonna be like the day after Earth Day. So really excited about that. So it's like a, gonna meet a bunch of the. The customers and get to talk about the work, and I'm sure [00:34:00] they're having other, some, like great, innovative designers like representing their work there too.

And, what else is next? I'm planning my next September spring summer 27 fashion show. So designing that collection, what kind of developing the biomaterial even further, how it looks in garments and yeah, I think maybe introducing some new products. I'm thinking of things, we're still working on it, but like my partnership with a BC carpet has been so wonderful and they mentioned wanting to maybe do go into bedding, like pillows and blankets and stuff.

So I'm starting to imagine like what that world would look like and what type of bed I would wanna be in yeah. So that, and yeah that's pretty much what's new for me. There's really always something, right? Every week brings new projects and like challenges and everything, but those are the main like big things coming up.

Ugh. I love it. That's so exciting. I have FOMO because I live in la [00:35:00] I know. I wish you could. Yes, I know. Next time you come to New York we gotta, yeah. I'll keep you posted. I'm originally from DC so Oh, nice. Grew up going to New York. Yeah, so of course when making a decision to stay in that area, I had to move across the country, of course, to switch things up, but.

Yeah, it's, I love la I don't think I'll ever I'll leave LA but I won't leave California. But I do love New York and. I am trying to go to the Harry Styles concert. Oh, okay. So I might be in New York, but we'll see. I hope nothing through. Okay. Yeah, definitely keep me updated, but I'll keep you busted.

Yes. Okay, great. That is so ama amazing and so exciting. Anyone that's in the new Yorkish area, be sure to check that out. I always like to end my podcast on What are your top rapid fire tips for someone who is starting their journey to a more sustainable lifestyle? Oh, okay. Okay. First thing I can think of is turn off the lights.

That's something I used to be really bad at, but it's even if you're just running out for lunch for 10 minutes turn them all off. That's one that will also help you financially. Two. Yeah. I would say I think Gen Z is actually pretty good at this, but instead of going out and purchasing.

One, purchasing something new and second, probably purchasing something fast fashion and not good for the planet. Really use your resources of all these amazing secondhand things going on. Now. There's the real, there's a new app called GEM. There's so many amazing platforms that are like all new that have just secondhand things.

It's like, why buy something new? And there's so many amazing things that exist. I think. Trades, closet sales, anything like that is like all a key to being more [00:36:00] sustainable on a daily basis. And then of course, like looking into, if you wanna go further, like looking into the products you're using on a daily basis, looking at the ingredients, doing your research and seeing what you're really like putting on your body.

Yeah, completely. I love it. I think those are great. Great. Great. Tips. Yes, the lights one is a big one for me. Like I, I do have my big light on right now as I say this. Yeah, but it's more for lighting purposes than No, me too. I'm so guilty of that too. I really do. I'm like, I love light I'm like ruled by the sun, so I need the light.

See, I'm like, I. Only want the sunlight. Yeah. And my lovely boyfriend who's in the other room right now loves the big lights overhead. Okay. And so that's something that I've gotten really good about. 'cause I think also. My dad was always the same way. We're like in our house. If he saw a light on, he would turn it off right after.

Same. And then he like, he'd be like, why the hell are the lights on? Yes. Turn them off. Yes. And I used to get so annoyed with him. See? And now I am that person. Like I am like, why is there a light on the second we jump off this podcast, this light is going off. Yes. I want the daylight.

And then I will literally wait till the last. Second that I can get away with it to turn, and I don't even turn the big lights on. I turn like my lamps on and stuff. Yes. And I'm like, I did not used to be this way, but I am so anal about it now. Yeah, no, it's ingrained in you. It's like a genetic thing now.

Yeah. Literally. That's great. So then it'll be passed on. No, it will. I'm like, if there's one thing I teach my future kid, so turn off my family. Yes, exactly. Amazing. Those are such great tips. Where can people find you on social media or anywhere else? Yes, so you can find me at my website my full name, caroline zimbalist.com on Instagram.

I'm also my full name, Caroline Zimbalist. I'm pretty sure that's like under everything. I just always use my full name. There's no like nicknames or anything, so yeah, you can find me and then email me. I'm always open to talk collabs, anything. Love. Okay. Amazing. Everyone go check her out. Thank you so much for coming and chatting with me today.

 That's it for this week's episode of The Lexie Show Fashion. That gives a damn big thanks to Caroline for showing us how sustainability can be slower, more intentional and rooted in the materials we choose and the way we create, whether [00:37:00] it's fashion or everyday products. This is how sustainability should work.

If the conversation resonated with you, subscribe so you don't miss an episode. Leave a review and share this with someone who needs to hear it. Head to lexi silverstein.com to follow. Head to Lexi silvers sign.com for more content on sustainable style and conscious consumption. And follow me on Instagram, TikTok and YouTube at Lexi Silver Sign.

That's LEXY, silver like the color, S-T-E-I-N. Remember to live a good life and look fucking good doing it and demand better from brands in your closet and everywhere else. See you next week.