Meet Amanda Lim | Earth Day Edition

Meet Amanda Lim | Earth Day Edition

1) Hi Amanda! We'd love to get to know you better. Could you share a bit about yourself?

I'm a small business owner, lifelong athlete and mother of 3 with a strong commitment to sustainability and the circular fashion economy. I came to Singapore for the first time in 2007 and fell in love with the food, culture and lush green "garden city" vibe. Eight years later in 2015, I moved here permanently and now I enjoy all of those things on a daily basis - my fave Singaporean foods are laksa and roti prata, my most precious cultural experience is celebrating Chinese New Year with my family, and my top pick for green spaces has to be Gardens by the Bay - incredible both indoors and out!

2) Being a parent, how do you integrate eco-friendly practices into your parenting style to create a nurturing environment for your family while also being mindful of the planet?

I wish I could say I was "crunchy" enough to do things like use cloth diapers or reusable wipes - but the truth is, with my job and packed schedule I am constantly looking for ways to streamline the way I shop for and style my family without sacrificing my commitment to sustainability. With three kids and several friends with kids in the same age group, hand-me-downs, preloved pop-ups and secondhand swaps have become a way of life. I can't remember the last time I bought something truly "new" for my kids other than undies - but with shops like Retykle I don't have to trade being earth-conscious for being fashionable and on-trend!

3) Can you share ways you have found effective in igniting your children's curiosity in the environment?

At home, we have a small garden where we grow things the kids regularly eat or see us eat, like tomatoes and chilli padi, so they are already getting a sense that food doesn't just come from a store, and fresh tastes best. We also spend tons of time outdoors in the beautiful natural spaces here in Singapore, like Sungei Buloh and the Botanic Gardens, so they can appreciate the flora and fauna that make tropical living so special and immerse themselves in environments that aren't moderated by screens.

4) When it comes to dressing your tykes, can you share some of your favorite brands for sustainable kidswear, and what do you look for when choosing them?

I love local labels Nimbu, Le Petit Society, Roses & Rhinos, and Raph & Remy, and I love to shop secondhand upscale brands like Seed, Gingersnaps, and Hunter + Boo. I can't help but look for styles that have sibling matching or coordinates, and because I have two boys and a girl (all four years old and under!), I always keep an eye out for gender-neutral styles that have staying power through several washes and many hours of play.

5) Looking ahead, what do you hope eco-parenting will look like, and how do you plan to keep motivating others to live sustainably?

I think parents are starting to realise that some of the "Instagrammable" kids' trends - like different outfits for every photo shoot or holiday, designer-knockoff looks, or cheaply made, hypertrendy fashion for kids - are just encouraging overconsumption and the idea that clothing is temporary and disposable. I hope that by raising awareness about the damage these trends and behaviours are doing to the Earth, as well as giving attention to "circular" solutions like Retykle, thrifting, and secondhand swaps, we can use our purchasing power as parents to educate ourselves and our kids about better habits and provide more valuable connections to what we consume, own, and use on a daily basis.