Hailing from the beautiful Pacific Northwest on the West Coast of the United States, Britt Hume lives life simply, surrounded by nature, her three children, husband and dog. 

We sat down with Britt and delved into her sustainable style, must-have beauty products, and rituals of connection. Below, she highlights the importance of setting an example for her children to love their natural features, and her struggles with racial identity, belonging and self-esteem. 

A strong woman, gentle mother and eloquent speaker. We know you will love Britt as much as we do. 

1. Hi Britt! Tell us a little about you… 

I’m Britt. Wife to Dusty, mama and teacher to Sawyer (5), Quincy (3.5) and Sauvie (1.5). We reside in the PNW and are always exploring the outdoors with our babes. 

2. Star sign? And moon and rising if you know?

Aries Sun & Capricorn Moon

3. Your style is to die for. What’s your inspiration? 

Five or so years ago I was introduced to slow fashion and its positive impact on the environment. That year I sold almost all of my clothes and have been slowly building a timeless, minimal wardrobe with brands that value an ethical and sustainable production. I love textiles that are pure and that will last - linen, wool, silk and cotton make up the majority of my wardrobe. As for style, I’m into anything oversized, contemporary, minimal and masculine. I love an exaggerated drape or an unusual shape. Black and neutrals are my go to. 

I sold almost all of my clothes and have been slowly building a timeless, minimal wardrobe with brands that value an ethical and sustainable production.

4. Best piece of advice you’ve ever been given (or wish you’d been given)? 

My mom used to say “you must love yourself before you can love others”. I never knew the gravity of her words until recently. Learning to love every part of myself peeled back layers of me, releasing an imposture and exposing a new woman. My journey to self-love isn’t over but my growth has allowed me to love family and friends in a very intentional way. I’m more aware of the relationships I want to invest in.

5. Day-to-Day beauty routine? 

This is the first year in six years that I’m not pregnant, nursing or postpartum. I didn’t realised it at the time but I wasn’t caring for myself during those years. They were hard on me, physically and emotionally, and I couldn’t keep up with any sort of personal routine or self-care. 

Today, skincare and haircare is something that I love and look forward to. I invest in products with good, natural ingredients from brands that value integrity and a connection with nature. I love an oil cleanser, a toner and an eye cream. Following that, I use the Imbibe trio (lift, restore & protect). I’ll finish with a balm if my skin needs a little extra love and always, always sunscreen. I don’t wear makeup, but I’ll use an eyebrow gel if I’m feeling fancy. 

I straightened my hair everyday until I was pregnant with Sawyer. I knew I needed to set the example for my babies, that my Black features, and my purest most natural self, are beautiful. So I threw my straighteners away and never looked back.

As for my curls, I’ve come along way! I straightened my hair everyday until I was pregnant with Sawyer. I knew I needed to set the example for my babies, that my Black features, and my purest most natural self, are beautiful. So I threw my straighteners away and never looked back. All three kids are getting more curls as they get older so we’re all about taking care of our hair in this house - natural products, protective styles while we sleep, silk scrunchies, etc. Sawyer prefers to scrunch her curls herself now and I’m all for it! 

6. Favourite way to spend time off? 

My favourite way to spend time off is with my family, adventuring. When I was little I spent most days at the neighbourhood nature park, waist deep in the ponds, catching frogs and snakes. This curiosity and love for the outdoors never went away. In fact, it’s grown immensely over the years. I’m so happy I get to share the outdoors with my babies. We take them skiing, fishing, crabbing, digging for razors clams, camping and exploring whenever we get the chance. I see a lot of myself in my eldest, Sawyer. She’s the most curious little being when it comes to critters. I don’t think anything could top exploring the world with them. 

7. Mothers give so much. How do you fill your own cup? 

This is probably the hardest of all the questions for me to answer. I love my babies so much. The majority of my time and energy goes into them alone. I quit my job when Sawyer was born so that I could stay home with her. I also recently started homeschooling. I enjoy it all, truly. But I’m very aware that I need to make more time for myself. I know my emotional and physical health need it. 

I’m very aware that I need to make more time for myself. I know my emotional and physical health need it. 

If anything, modelling fills my cup in many unexpected ways. It’s connected me to a whole community of people of colour, something I’ve been longing for since childhood. I do it solely for the connection and for the creativity I’m surrounded by. I’m so grateful for all the lovely people I get to call friends. 

8. Go-to dinner party dish? 

Are dishES an option? Dusty and I started hosting dinner parties with a few friends that are equally into food. Not just the eating part, but the connection. I fell in love with food a few years ago when I realised it was a way to connect to culture and to people. I love what culinary historian Jessica B Harris says in High On The Hog. “Through food, we can find out that there is more that connects us than that separates us. What we eat and what we discover brings us together. It’s a communal table. It’s how we know who we are, and it’s how we know we’re connected…” 

I fell in love with food a few years ago when I realised it was a way to connect to culture and to people.

Dusty has always been an exceptional cook, thanks to his parents. But recently he started collecting and reading cookbooks from different cultures. We started watching cooking series and documentaries together. And we started learning and appreciating techniques and flavours from all around the world. Sharing this deep desire to learn and to love food with our friends is something we cherish very much. 

9. Favourite album?

I love hip-hop and R&B. But the album that is closest to my heart is actually the Jackson 5 Christmas Album. I come from a broken family. We weren’t together for all the holidays. But when I was really little, and my parents were still together, my favourite memories were during Christmas. Every morning my mom would get up before us kids and the moment she heard one of us coming out of our rooms she would hit play on the stereo.

So now every year during December I play the Jackson 5 album on repeat. Brings me back. I can tell that it makes Dusty a bit crazy but he plays along because he knows how much it means to me. The girls are starting to sing along with me. It’s the best!

10. Most defining moment in your life to date?

The death of George Floyd. The last couple of years have been some of the heaviest thus far. Growing up multi-racial in an all white community, I’ve struggled with racial identity, belonging and self-esteem my whole life. All of my trauma, pain and feelings that I had suppressed for many years were brought to the forefront following the death of George Floyd. I’m on a journey to heal, to learn, to love myself and to connect with my culture. It’s heavy but also empowering.

All of my trauma, pain and feelings that I had suppressed for many years were brought to the forefront following the death of George Floyd. I’m on a journey to heal, to learn, to love myself and to connect with my culture.