The Journey of a Craftivist

Nathalie Leung Shing and I first crossed paths nearly a decade ago, during a project that would leave a lasting impression on both our professional journeys—the ‘Save the Planet’ initiative at Novotel Yangon Max. At the time, Nathalie was the Marketing and Communication Specialist leading the project, while I contributed as a designer, eager to make an impact with a sustainable wedding collection. What began as a one-time collaboration soon blossomed into a lasting friendship, deeply rooted in our shared passion for sustainability. Looking back on those early days, I often find myself filled with nostalgia, remembering how our work was driven by creativity, purpose, and the hope of crafting a better world.

The project was a resounding success. My wedding collection, made entirely from discarded materials, was showcased on national TV, offering a glimpse of how fashion can blend beauty with sustainability. Nathalie’s communication expertise played a pivotal role in amplifying our message, ensuring that our work reached a wider audience. Recently, Nathalie shared our story on social media, reflecting on the moment we first met. Her post struck a chord with me, making me realize just how much her journey has inspired mine. While I have grown into a communicator and storyteller, Nathalie has evolved into a passionate craftivist—living the dream that has always inspired me.

Nathalie’s journey toward becoming a craftivist is one of resilience, creativity, and rediscovery. Long before she embraced this path, crafting and sewing were already part of her life. Growing up, Nathalie learned the art of sewing and crafting from her mother and in her family’s hometown. Even as a child, she displayed a natural talent for creating beautiful things from whatever she could find. Although she often humbly claimed that she wasn’t a designer, her work spoke volumes about her potential. Nathalie possessed an innate ability to see the potential in everyday objects, transforming them into new and imaginative designs. Whether upcycling, recycling, or working on zero-waste projects, she had always been on the path to becoming a craftivist—she just had realized it.

Her path took an unexpected turn in 2021, during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, when Nathalie faced two major knee surgeries in Bangkok and Vietnam. The physical recovery was grueling, but the emotional toll was even more challenging. Isolated from her family due to strict Covid protocols, Nathalie made the brave decision to leave everything behind and return to Mauritius, where she could be close to her loved ones.

Back in Mauritius, Nathalie sought to reconnect with her roots and rediscover her creative side. Understanding her daughter’s need for healing, Nathalie’s mother suggested a macramé retreat – a weekend that rekindled Nathalie’s passion for crafting. This retreat reignited her love for creating, leading her to volunteer with Purple Lime at the Creative Quarter. There, she found a community of women who shared her dedication to crafting and sustainability. It was through these connections that Nathalie’s journey as a craftivist truly began to take shape.

Today, Nathalie dedicates herself to transforming old, unused, and discarded items into unique works of art, all with a deep sense of purpose. Her mission is to craft with meaning, using her creations to raise awareness about environmental issues. One particularly impactful moment in her journey occurred during a beach clean-up, where she was stunned by the number of cigarette butts littering the shore. This discovery inspired her to create an art piece from these cigarette butts, aiming to highlight their environmental impact and the broader negative effects of smoking.

Nathalie’s story is not just one of personal growth but also of profound inspiration. Her commitment to sustainability and her innovative approach to crafting have deeply influenced me, serving as a powerful reminder of the role creativity plays in driving change. Her website, www.natflixly.com/crafts, showcases her work and the meaningful projects she continues to develop. Nathalie’s recent social media post about our meeting highlighted how our paths have uniquely intertwined and how much we’ve both grown since those early days.

As Nathalie continues her journey, she remains a beacon of inspiration, demonstrating how challenges can lead to new opportunities and how passion can be harnessed to create positive change. Our story, indeed, is a special one, and I am proud to witness how Nathalie has blossomed into a craftivist, dedicated to crafting a sustainable future.

Fashion Sustainable Educator & Writer: Ariel Thi

Craftivist: Nathalie

Photographer: Bhone