Outfits compiled of old, thrifted, hand-me-down, upcycled and fully handmade items.
Welcome to my new website…
This has been a long time coming and by long time, I mean, I’ve been wanting to update my website for a couple of years now. However, as the days and months went on, it became clearer to me that I didn’t just need to update the appearance of my online presence but that I l also needed to re-define it, too.
Many long months later, fiddling around with coding, CSS, domain names, server issues, photoshoots and desperately hoping I can secure the right usernames – here we are!
You can read a bit more about this over on my now, former blog (that is terrifying to say!) and archive, in my very final blog post on ‘tollydollyposhfashion.com‘ but in this post, I’ll answer some quick questions about what this is all means and what this new slice of my internet pie will be used for.
How do you pronounce Tolmeia?
It’s pronounced Tol•may•ah.
All of my social media handles have now been changed to @tolmeia. Tolmeia Gregory is my full name (with the exception of my middle names) and is what I’ll be referred to from here on in. Of course, I still go by Tolly. If you know me, it’s likely the only name you’ll ever call me!
I was growing out of Tolly Dolly Posh (a nickname that my mum created when I was growing up) and as an activist, it doesn’t feel right to be using a ‘brand name’ anymore.
What’s this site going to be used for?
My new website is now the hub for all of my work, whether it’s activism, fashion blogging or graphic design. In order to evolve my work and take the pressure off of being a ‘blogger’, instead of my website being a dedicated space for my writing, I want it to be more of a landing page for anyone wanting to learn more about me or to collaborate.
Are you still a ‘blogger’?
My website still has a blog space and I will be updating it whenever I want to say more than I can in an Instagram caption (like what you’re reading now!). Times have changed and the topics I would now want to cover require more time in the writing process, leading me to publish fewer pieces of longer-form content and prioritise using my social media platforms, such as Instagram.
Personally, I would no longer call myself a ‘blogger’ seeing as my blog is no longer my main focus. Usually, I’m referred to as an ‘activist’ or an ‘influencer’.
What’s happening to your old blog?
‘Tolly Dolly Posh‘ is still available to view and read. I haven’t deleted any content but the website will remain inactive and as an open archive. This is for my own personal use as much as it is for you to revisit. Some of the most recent posts published on Tolly Dolly Posh are some of my favourite (and if I can say so myself, best) pieces of work to date.
I did consider moving the content over to my new website, however, it didn’t quite fit with what I want this site to be used for and the content fits that platform best.
I’m incredibly proud of how long I managed to keep up with my original blog after starting it at the age of 11 and I hope it can continue to inspire and educate people.
So, you’re an artist, too?
Over the past two years, I’ve been working as a self-employed illustrator for various clients on a whole host of different campaigns, to provide illustrated social media assets.
Art is another of my passions and my freelance work enables me to support what I do as a climate justice activist.
My particular niche and expertise lie in GIF sticker creation but some of my favourite projects include creating animated illustrations and podcast artwork. You can view my portfolio and get in touch about hiring me, here.
I also have a page dedicated to my platform policy about how and who I work with.
What is your Shop?
One new exciting avenue I’ve opened up within the launch of my new site is a shop. I’ve been wanting to produce physical copies of my artwork for quite some time and I made it my goal to achieve that by the end of this year, so, here we are!
At the point of publishing, there is currently a limited print run available, just as a way to test the waters. No matter what is in the Shop, I am committed to donating 30% of all profits generated to a charity or organisation that matters to me (and that primarily support marginalised communities).
To kick things off, 30% will be donated to Black Girls Hike UK.
What do you do as an activist?
Activism covers a lot of ground. There’s no one set way of doing things and if we only ever portray it as going out into the streets and chanting, then we’re upholding an ableist and rather privileged view of taking action.
I see my work as a graphic designer that focuses on environmental issues as a form of activism and I also see the way I use my social media accounts as a form of activism.
Currently, I’m also a coordinator within Extinction Rebellion, a non-violent-direct-action group tackling the Climate Emergency. I work within different working groups such as XR Fashion Action, as well as helping support XR Youth.
You can read my whole about page here if you’d like to know how things started.
I also think it’s important to note that although I cover social justice issues, it would be impossible for me to cover every issue or global injustice at all times. I’ve come to realise that I need to focus on what I am most knowledgeable and most passionate about, which of course, will change and evolve as I continue to educate myself.
What’s next?
I don’t have any major plans for the near future, I’m just excited to start this new chapter and to redefine my work and what I use my online platform for.
Hopefully, this change makes sense to those of my audience who have been following me for a while. It’s not a decision I’ve taken lightly as I’m a very sentimental person and moving on from something that has been such a big part of my life isn’t easy, however, it feels like the natural next step.
Although making my old blog inactive became more daunting the closer I got to launch day, I know this is the right (and exciting) decision!
Having said that, I’m sure I won’t be completely abandoning my fashion blogging roots. I can’t wait to be able to get back in front of the camera occasionally to share how fun sustainable fashion can be (just like I have done with these new launch photos).
I’ve also started brainstorming and planning for a fun new project that will hopefully combine creativity and exploring climate justice into one.
For now, though, it’s time to bid farewell to Tolly Dolly Posh and re-introduce myself as…
