The Sustainable Fashion Wingman

In this episode, we explore the rich world of vintage fashion with Mikey Caunter, the founder of Peekaboo and the Peekaboo Marketplace. Mikey takes us on a journey through his early days at Portobello Road, selling vintage long before sustainability became a mainstream movement, and shares how his love for vintage evolved into a thriving business and a platform for slow fashion advocacy. With deca...

In this episode, we dive into the cutting-edge world of material innovation with Nicole Schram, the Global Business Development Manager at Lenzing. Known for its groundbreaking work in sustainable textiles, Lenzing is shaping the future of fashion with next-gen materials that balance innovation, practicality, and environmental responsibility. Nicole shares her fascinating journey from steel produc...

In this episode, we talk with Elsa May, a Paris-based consultant and lecturer specialising in the subject of sustainable textiles. We hear about the challenges and potential of textiles in furthering sustainability within the fashion industry. We learn about the benefits but also the limitations of natural fibres as a responsible material. Elsa also talks about her role as an educator, teaching at...

In another episode in the Careers in Sustainability series, we talked with Natalie Binns, a fashion buyer turned sustainability consultant. Natalie tells us about her career journey from her first internship with a fast-fashion brand, to now supporting businesses with their sustainability goals. We hear how the buying function has changed and what it needs to do to incorporate sustainable practice...

Welcome to Season 6 of the podcast and we’re starting with a special episode to celebrate Second-hand September with a trailblazer of the second-hand fashion movement. In this episode we hear from Maria Chenoweth, Chief Executive of the second-hand charity TRAID. With a dozen stores found on London's high streets, TRAID offers an alternative and more sustainable way to dress. With the 25th an...

In this episode, we talk with Teresa Carmona about her journey from working at the UN’s Cop 25 to establishing her circular fashion business Revive.  In our conversation, we delve into Teresa's transition from fashion styling to founding Revive, exploring her motivations and the influence of her work at Cop 25. We also look at the concept of circular fashion and how Revive embodies it through...

In this episode, we dive into the heart of Manchester's fashion scene with Caroline Herz, Co-founder of The Yard Atelier. The Yard Atelier is a community-driven project offering a collaborative space for emerging designers to embark on their sustainable fashion journey. We explore Caroline's background in the fashion industry, leading to her pivotal realisation of the urgent need for sus...

In this episode, we delve into the dynamic world of sustainable fashion careers with Joseph Mountain, a trailblazer who has swiftly risen in the industry. Joseph, a graduate of Manchester Metropolitan University, shares his journey from fashion student to sustainability strategist at N Brown Group. He discusses pivotal moments, including the inception of the Future Fashion Fair (FFF), which played...

In this episode, we talk with Paull Skevington, founder of the start-up brand Parietti, about his goal of providing cyclists with a more sustainable option of cyclewear. We hear of Paul’s background from his origins in the UK to his family’s relocation to Spain where he found the inspiration for Parietti. In Paul’s words, cyclewear has a polyester problem, so we hear how Parietti is addressing the...

It’s a new year and a new episode of the podcast, where we talk with Caroline Trend from the start-up creative hub, De Ronde, and Ben Atkinson, founder of start-up brand, GoofyPro. We hear how De Ronde supports sports brands in every aspect of launching and developing, particularly, in a sustainable way. And we hear from Ben’s perspective, how De Ronde is doing that for GoofyPro. Listen in and we...

In this episode, we learn just how much good can be put back into the world by buying a bag! We hear from Ian Bentley, co-founder of the California-based brand, Parker Clay. Although, the Parker Clay manufacturing hub is across the globe in Ethiopia, where Ian and his family set out to create training and employment opportunities for communities there. We learn about the Parker Clay journey and it...

In this episode, we explore the world of sustainable fashion with Marci Zaroff, a pioneer who introduced the term "eco-fashion" in the 1990s. Marci's journey began with organic food, and she later transitioned seamlessly into fashion, becoming a powerhouse in the eco-fashion scene with several green brands under her belt. During the episode, Marci describes the mission of her brand,...

In this episode, we discuss sustainability in children's footwear with Ali McAleavy, the founder of Zig + Star. Ali shares with us the inspiration behind starting Zig + Star and how they are addressing the gap in the market for sustainable childrenswear. We also learned about the steps Zig + Star is taking to offer a more eco-friendly option for kid's footwear, as well as hear valuable a...

One thing we often hear from consumers is the difficulty in finding sustainable alternatives when shopping for clothes. In this episode, we’re talking to Fatimah El-Rashid, co-founder of Shady Club and the browser extension Shade. An app that is set to revolutionise the way we shop online but rating products and even suggesting more sustainable alternatives in real-time. Listen in as we hear how S...

When it comes to sports and performance wear, making products in a sustainably conscious way brings unique challenges. Not just apparel that looks good, but clothing that needs to provide functionality, meaning a specific focus on material choices, supply base, and end-of-product life considerations. So how do activewear brands overcome the obstacle unique to this product type? In today’s episode,...

In this episode, we speak with Stephanie Sarka, the Co-founder and CEO of 1 Atelier, a US-based designer bag company that's changing the way consumers shop. Stephanie discusses her background in tech and fashion, and how combining her experience with her passion for sustainability led to the creation of 1 Atelier. She explains how their on-demand production platform eliminates waste and allow...

We’re back with another interview in the Sustainability in Careers series. This time, we hear from Harriet Gardiner, Sustainable Coordinator for a luxury, British heritage brand. Harriet shares with us what is involved in being a Sustainability Coordinator. We hear what brands and businesses can focus on in moving towards greater sustainable practices through their supply chain. Has greenwashing d...

As sustainability becomes more and more the expectation of consumers and businesses look to embed it in their strategies, there’s greater demand for education around the changing and complex subject. Fortunately, many are now leading the charge in sustainability training for the fashion industry. In this episode, we talk to one such expert, Lydia Brearley. After the success of the educational reso...

We all know of organic cotton, and lately, bamboo and hemp as clothing material choices, but what about seaweed? In this interview we speak with Adam Costello, the Founder of Inland Sea to hear of the benefits of using seaweed to make fabric and its benefits as a sustainable fibre choice. We learn how Adam has developed and is championing the first seaweed-based fabric spun in the UK, SeaBlend®, n...

As we pop into many an eco-popup, we meet some interesting brands implementing sustainable practices in many ways into their businesses. One such way is by using deadstock fabric. In this episode we speak with Rebecca Roden, to hear about her luxury dress brand, eluroom. Why deadstock features heavily in eluroom products, and how different it is to the more typical method of fabric sourcing. Rebec...

One of the biggest obstacles to ethical consumerism often heard is that sustainable fashion is too expensive.  Well, in this episode we spoke to Sam Mabley, Founder of the ethical clothing brand, “Yes Friends” to hear how they are making ethical fashion affordable. Listen in as we hear Sam tell us why he feels so passionately about ethical fashion and how the “Yes Friends” brand keeps costs low so...

Welcome to the first episode of 2023! Throughout the year we’re going to be looking at various careers within fashion and how leaders in various areas of expertise are incorporating sustainability in their roles and the businesses they work in. Kicking off the year, we have an insightful interview with Lisa McAlinden, the Design Director for Spring Near East, a sourcing house for many well-known f...

Today’s episode was recorded live at the Ecological Emporium. The brainchild of Neem London ’s Founder, Nick Reed, our previous episode guest. Along with Stefan Mathys, Founder and Creative Director of Vyn Sneakers, the Ecological Emporium showcases a variety of brands built on sustainably conscious principles. Nick tells us all about the pop-up and its importance to the sustainability message. We...

In this episode, we talked with Nick Reed, Founder of the Climate Conscious menswear brand, Neem. As former Buying Director of established men's workwear brands, Moss Bross and Charles Tyrwhitt, Nick has a wealth of insight into men's apparel and manufacturing. Nick is now using that experience to do things differently, by building a brand designed to produce the lowest environmental imp...

How has fashion consumerism changed for the Gen-Z customer? Can Fashion reconcile the Gen-Z desire for sustainability and affordable clothing? We had a chat with Billy Butt, the Co-founder of the FASSION marketplace aimed at providing the Gen-Z consumer with an easier way to access responsible and independent fashion. We also hear from Billy how shopping habits have changed and the importance of s...