Name: Maaike van Putten
From: Amsterdam
Profession: Project Manager
Age: 23
Found @: Roof party in Buenos Aires
How did you end up in Buenos Aires?
Well, in the Netherlands I worked as a project manager for a Dutch daily. Eventually they pulled the plug. They obviously didn’t need anybody anymore to manage their projects. I decided to do something useful with my time off: travelling and learning Spanish!
And, do you like it here?
YES!
When you are travelling do you pay attention to the environment?
Yes, I actually do. For example I HATE air-conditioning and therefore never use it. I always make sure that the lights are off when I leave a place too. It’s interesting to see how everybody, myself included, pays more and more attention to the environment. Nowadays you need to be green. However, you need to be sharp in this place, they love working their way through their plastic bags. Especially at the supermarkets, when you look the other way, six of them are lined up for one toothbrush, orange juice and four apples.
Michael Jackson or Snow White?
If I have to choose between those two, it has to be Michael. Apart from his freaky hobbies and strange skin colour issue, I LOVE his music - is he ever going to release something new?
Name: Karen Kleber
Photo taken @: The Cure Thrift Shop – East Village, NYC
Age: late 30s
Profession: Stylist and Professional Shopper
From: Texas
What do you do?
I’m a fashion and wardrobe stylist for advertising, catalogue and private clients.
How often do you go thrift shopping for your clients?
Every day. I’ve been here (The Cure Thrift Shop) three days straight. Because everything comes in new everyday so everytime I pass a thrift shop, I’m in.
So you have the dream job?
I have the dream job! I shop with other peoples’ money and I love it.
So what is this gold belt you have in your hand?
I have a private client, in fact I’m doing her whole Spring wardrobe, and so I’m looking for accessories for her. I’m doing an eclectic mix with vintage belts and jewelry. So I have a meeting with her tomorrow night to show her everything I have pulled for Spring and I’m going to show her this belt.
How much does this spring wardrobe cost?
Well this is a very high-end client, so (laughing) we’re looking in the thousands and thousands of dollars range.
What happens if she doesn’t like it?
What I do is over pull and over shop just to make sure I have a broad range in order for her to have a nice selection. I bring everything to her house, we try it on, the seamstress is there, and we pick what she likes. I have such a good relationship with the stores and showrooms that they let me bring it back as long as we don’t take the tags off.
Do you consider what you do eco-friendly?
Very. Because I’m in the vintage recycling business, I try to do as much as I possibly can. It’s the best way we can help the economy and environment - recycling and not buying new all the time. So this belt that I’m purchasing today, it’s going to find a nice home.
What’s the craziest accessory you’ve ever bought for anyone? Like a nipple ring or something?
Umm, no; my clients are quite conservative. But I have had some strange ones on jobs, like photoshoots. I’m trying to think, oh yeah today with the fake butt. I was doing a job where we were shooting jeans and the jeans were a little big for the model so we had to put a fake butt underneath her.
So what is that? Like underwear?
Yeah, it’s underwear with a padded little extra in the rear.
I wonder if they use recycled material for the padding?
I doubt it. I doubt it.
Name: Nicholas “Nick” Herron.
Photo taken @: Newsstand – Herald Square, Manhattan.
Age: 23.
Profession: Entertainer.
From: Orange County, California.
What do you do?
I’m an entertainer.
What does that mean?
I write scripts, make movies, I act, and I …no, that’s pretty much it.
What are you buying at this newsstand?
The New York Times.
Do you worry about the trees you’re cutting down for your paper?
No.
Do you consider the environment when you make purchases?
Only on products like washing detergent and things I feel go into water and are drained out into the oceans. And…I try to only buy what’s necessary.
You are from Southern California, right? Do you know anyone from the “Hills” or “Real Housewives of Orange County”?
(A little pissed) I don’t know them, I know of them.
So are you a surfer?
Yeah.
Have you ever surfed in detergent water?
No. But after it rains a deluge of trash comes right out of the Santa Anna River into the ocean. So I try not to surf after it rains in Southern California because the water is disgusting.
What’s the gnarliest thing you’ve seen?
I don’t know, like garbage bags and condoms and needles, and stuff.
Surfing with condoms and needles; great combination.
No. Haha.
Name: Hermen Jan
Age: 48
Profession: fine artist and furniture maker
Where from: Amsterdam
Did you buy anything today?
Yes, a second hand chair.
What colour?
Purple. That actually doesn’t do my interior a favour.
Do you think about the impact on our planet whenever you buy something?
Yes. A lot of people just buy for the sake of buying. I only buy something when I really need it.
Do you really need that chair?
Yes, because the chair I sit on right now at home gives me back pain.
Why do people buy stuff they don’t need?
I think they try to fill up the emptyness inside themselves.
How do you get that chair home?
Ahum…that’s not so eco-friendly…I need to get my Diesel bus to move it to my home.
Shame..but good luck!
Thanks.
Name: Jada Houser
Age: 36
Profession: Actress
From: Brooklyn, New York
Do you live here?
Yes, I just moved in. I fell in love with a Dutchman.
Oops..
I’m fine, I feel at home here!
What did you buy today?
Nothing yet, but I’m going to buy peanut butter.
Does your Dutch boyfriend also like peanut butter?
Yes, maybe that’s why we’re a good match.
Smooth or crunchy?
Smooth, like my boyfriend!
What’s in those plastic bags?
Old newspapers that I throw away seperately for recycling.
Bravo!
Thanks
What do you prefer: true love or kinky sex?
How about real kinky lovemaking!
Name: Bas Kosters
Age: 31
Profession: fashion designer
From: Amsterdam
What did you just buy?
I bought some stuff for my new collection for the Fashion Week in Amsterdam. It’s in collaboration with Heineken. They invest a lot in fashion. I bought pumps with a panther print.
Do you like Heineken beer?
Of course I love it! Haha!
Do you think about the environment when you design?
Yes, I do more and more. I recycle a lot and sometimes I use organic cotton. I made something out of old Heineken parasols for instance. But it’s very hard to always be green, I don’t want to compromise the quality of my work of course. I do think you should only work with companies who have good work ethics in terms of environment and labour standards!
Is Heineken a good company?
Haha! I believe they are making an effort to be more and more environmentally friendly.
What about your food, do you care if it’s organic?
Yes. I think organic is healthier and tastier!
Who do you like best, Philip Freriks (Dutch newsreader) or Brad Pitt?
Brad Pitt is a slimeball so I’ll go for our own Dutch hope: Philip Freriks!
Photo by: Tom van der Leij
What are you doing?
I’m always looking for fabrics on the Noordermarkt for my work.
What did you buy today?
A second hand woollen jacket.
Why do you buy second hand stuff?
Because I’m a fashion designer I know very well how bad the clothing industry is. It’s bad for the environment and the quality of most new clothes is really poor. People throw away clothes sooner, because they don’t last long. Clothes made years ago are often better made.
Do they like second hand things in Japan?
Second hand clothes are very big in Japan!
Dr. Phil or Oprah?
Heehee! Oprah.
