Isabelle McAllister - Sweden’s Second Hand Profile 2022

- Forces like Isabelle McAllister are really needed in our society! She is a role model and a source of inspiration and through our award we want to both show appreciation for the work she has already done and send encouragement for the future, says Anette Alm Gustafsson, Executive Director of Erikshjälpen Second Hand.

Through Programme programs like "Äntligen hemma", "Fixa rummet" and "Sommartorpet", Isabelle McAllister has become a colorful interior design profile with the entire Swedish population. It has always been obvious to her to use second hand in her interior design, but in the past she did not talk much about the benefits.

In recent years, Isabelle has become more vocal. She has trained in climate and sustainability issues and today calls herself a creative transition activist. In 2021, she published the book "Skavank", which is about gadgets, our relationship with them and how we can best repair and care for them.

- "Half of the book is about gadgets and consumption, in the other half I talk about different materials and how we can take care of them," she says.

With this book, Isabelle wants to both challenge old patterns of thought and show how old and worn-out things can be given new life. What if we realize that things that have been owned and handled - by us or by others - have something that the new lacks? If we start to see the beauty in the imperfections, and understand the satisfaction that taking care of our stuff can actually give us?

- Use what you already have - as long as you can, urges Isabelle McAllister.

- We won't save the world by mending a shirt, but I think working with your hands is good for your body and your system. By taking care of what we have, we also start caring for it more.

Erikshjälpen Second Hand hopes that many listen to Isabelle's call.

- Isabelle's ability to see the beauty in the scratched and worn is something we hope many can be inspired by and emulate. If we all make small changes in our consumption behavior, together we can make a difference. It feels really great to be able to present this award to Isabelle," says Josefine Janossy, Marketing and Concept Manager at Erikshjälpen Second Hand.

Isabelle McAllister was nominated alongside the Climate Club's Maria Soxbo and Emma Sundh, as well as the Vintage Man Ingemar Albertsson for the Sweden’s Second Hand Profile 2022 award, which is awarded annually by Sweden's leading non-profit second-hand player. Isabelle is very proud to receive the award.

- It's the ultimate prize for an old flea market rat like me. I am so proud and happy and it feels so much fun. Second hand is really something I feel at home in and appreciate very much. It also makes sense to inspire others to use things as long as possible," she says.

As the winner, Isabelle will receive Swedish kronor (SEK) 25,000 to donate to one of Erikshjälpen's projects for children's rights. The choice fell on work for girls' Menstrual health, which includes educating children and parents around the world about menstruation, giving girls access to safe menstrual protection and ensuring that schools have hygienic and safe toilets.

- I wish we saw menstruation as a woman's power instead of something we are ashamed of. It's still so taboo," she says.

Motivation Sweden’s Second Hand Profile 2022

Where throwaway has become the norm in society, Sweden’s Second Hand Profile 2022 stands on the other side. She calls herself a creative change activist - and her heart beats hard for reuse. Where others see flaws, she sees opportunities.

In everything from books to television, and not least in social media, she creates engagement around sustainable consumption. She inspires and shares knowledge about how to extend the life of things, and also how to learn to appreciate the old and worn. Thanks to Isabelle McAllister, more things can be given new life and loved again, and again.