34. Art Queen of Joshua Tree: Fighting Fast Fashion & Turning Trash Into Art w/ Shari Elf

Join us as we explore the vibrant creative scene of Joshua Tree with Shari Elf, founder of Art Queen, whose innovative approach to upcycled fashion reveals the profound relationship between clothing, self-expression, and environmental consciousness. Shari shares what it means to transform discarded garments into wearable art, as well as the powerful story of how upcycling can serve as both a personal statement and a sustainable alternative to fast fashion's destructive cycle. In an era when the fashion industry is one of the world's largest polluters, this essential conversation challenges us to reassess our relationship with clothing and to recognize how reimagining and revitalizing garments can become a symbol of creativity, individuality, and environmental stewardship.

 

RAY OF HOPE:

In a time when fast fashion prevails and clothing waste fills our landfills, Shari's dedication to transforming discarded garments into unique pieces of wearable art stands as a powerful ray of hope, demonstrating that creativity and sustainability can merge to create something both beautiful and meaningful.

This commitment to upcycling represents hope because it shows us a pathway forward: artists and makers reclaiming materials that would otherwise be waste and transforming them into expressions of identity, growing recognition that our clothing choices can be both personal statements and environmental actions, and a new generation learning to value craftsmanship, individuality, and the stories embedded in reimagined garments—ensuring that fashion becomes a force for positive change rather than environmental harm.

 

ANXIETY TO ACTION:

In an era when the fashion industry contributes massively to pollution and waste, and when social media often pressures us toward constant consumption of new trends, understanding the power of upcycled fashion reminds us that every garment tells a story, and that choosing to reimagine and revitalize clothing is both a creative act and a form of resistance against throwaway culture.

 

Take Action:

• Learn basic clothing repair and alteration skills to extend the life of your garments.
• Support local artists and makers who create upcycled fashion.
• Shop secondhand and vintage before buying new.
• Organize clothing swaps in your community.
• Challenge fast fashion culture by embracing your personal style over fleeting trends.
• Share and celebrate creative upcycling projects to inspire others.

 

SHARI SOCIAL MEDIA:

• Follow Shari on Instagram: @shari.elf
• World Famous Crochet Museum: @worldfamouscrochetmuseum
• Art Queen: @artqueen_jt

 

PLANET PEOPLE SOCIAL MEDIA: 

• Follow Planet People on Instagram: @planet.people.pod
• Subscribe to us on YouTube: @PlanetPeoplePodcast