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I'm so excited to be bringing you this special edition episode featuring the recording of our LIVE panel discussion in Chicago with Chicago Fair Trade and 3 of their business members. This was such a fun event to uncover the powerful stories behind these purpose-driven founders in Chicago and what ethically-made and sustainably-made mean in practice.  We've all seen words like "sustainable" become buzzwords by Big Fashion, but what does it actually look like to do the work to ensure fair employment, responsible sourcing, and mindful production? This was an ongoing theme throughout the panel — each of these founders' ideas of sustainability was distinct and yet overlapped. Pushpika Freitas, founder of Marketplace Handwork of India, told the story of partnering with artisans in India to create truly fair trade fashion; Jamie Hayes, founder of Production Mode, discussed what it really takes to produce ethically in the US today (hint: "made in the US" does NOT automatically equal ethical); and Vanessa Arroyo shared how her heritage and 15+ years in fashion helped her build an authentic, ethical footwear brand.   🌿 CONNECT WITH OUR GUESTS: Pushpika | Marketplace Handwork of India: marketplaceindia.comJamie | Production Mode: productionmodechicago.comVanessa | SERES: seresfootwear.comChicago Fair Trade: chicagofairtrade.org🧵 CONNECT WITH CONSCIOUS STYLE: WebsiteInstagramPinterest📧 JOIN OUR NEWSLETTER: consciouslifeandstyle.com/subscribe 💚 JOIN THE CFC MEMBERSHIP: consciousfashion.co/community    

Fashion is rarely focused on fixing real problems for real people. But what if slow fashion did things differently?  The thoughtfulness and attention to quality that is embedded into the slow fashion movement can be harnessed to make genuinely better products that make these options a no-brainer IF brands understand the true needs of their customer. In this episode, you'll hear from Karen Poirier, founder of Embrago, a bra-alternative that uses a new approach to built-in bust support that can ebb and flow with our changing bodies.  Karen shares what is wrong with most undergarments today — it's not you, it's the clothes (or undergarments)! — and the potential health implications. Plus we discuss the often overlooked technicality to good fashion and how undergarments can add to the mental load for women (and how she is hoping to change that). We cover a lot of ground in this one, so grab a cozy drink and hit play to dive in! ***** 🎧  LISTEN NEXT >> EP57: Tips for Starting a Slow Fashion Brand with Selina Ho 🌿 JOIN THE COMMUNITY >> Conscious Fashion Collective Membership 💌 FOR MORE >> Subscribe to Slow Fashion Saturday ***** ✨ CONNECT WITH KAREN >> embrago.com Website: embrago.com Instagram: @embragoclothing

The declining quality of sweaters has been a big discussion in the past year, but is a reality we've been witnessing for the past couple of decades. But what exactly is so much worse about today's sweaters and what has been going on behind the scenes that's made them so bad? And importantly, how can brands do better? What should we be looking for in a high quality knitwear piece? We're covering all of this and more in today's Conscious Style Podcast episode with expert knitwear designer and product developer Mari Medina. Mari is the founder of April Knit Studio, a design studio dedicated to creating high-quality knitwear for fashion brands. With an extensive network of trusted suppliers and artisans, April Knit Studio offers brands access to natural materials, enabling the development of knitwear that reflects each brand's unique identity. In this episode, Mari also discusses what an ethical supplier or artisan partnership looks like, the benefits for both the customer and the brand of keeping the same styles year over year, and the value of harnessing external expertise instead of going at it alone as a brand founder. 🎧  LISTEN NEXT >> EP44: How to Identify High Quality Clothing with Zoe Hong 🌿 JOIN THE COMMUNITY >> Conscious Fashion Collective Membership 💌 FOR MORE >> Subscribe to Slow Fashion Saturday ***** 🧶 CONNECT WITH MARI >> Website: aprilknitstudio.com Instagram: @aprilknit.studio LinkedIn: April Knit Studio

What is the state of circular fashion today? There has been a LOT happening with circularity in textiles in recent years, which is exciting but also means that it can be tough to keep up with and to discern what the most promising signs of progress actually are. So in today's episode, you'll hear from Cynthia Power about the state of circular fashion, 5 areas of "invisible progress" in circularity, and what fashion brands should know about implementing circularity into their value chains. Cynthia also speaks to the happiness of repair, illuminating something that doesn't get talked enough about enough — that yes, slow fashion can actually be joyful! Cynthia Power is the founder of Molte Volte and is an expert in the fields of fashion resale, reuse, repair, recycling and design for circularity. Working in fashion for over 17 years, she spent 6 years at the helm of EILEEN FISHER Renew and two years working on the service provider side at Recurate with dozens of brands. (In fact, you can hear Cynthia speak on behalf of Recurate in episode 27!) Cynthia is also the co-host of the Untangling Circularity podcast. Hit play to dive in!   LISTEN NEXT >> EP83: What is Circular Fashion Design? with Carmen Gama  FOR MORE >> Join Slow Fashion Saturday: consciouslifeandstyle.com/subscribe   CONNECT WITH CYNTHIA: Newsletter: moltevolte.substack.com Molte Volte: moltevolte.com LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/cynthia-power-24963513  

When you hear the term artisan-made, what do you think of? Do you assume that it means ethically made? Do you assume it's a certain aesthetic? Is it old-fashioned or contemporary? In today's episode, Elizabeth is speaking with Anjali Purohit, founder and creative director of the home and fashion textiles brand Studio Variously to unpack and demystify all things artisan-made. Anjali has over 20 years of experience in design, working globally with brands like Pottery Barn and Crate & Barrel. Based in the US for 16 years, she collaborates with artisans in India, Nepal, and Peru to create sustainable, handwoven textiles and home goods. Anjali has won multiple design awards and was Eileen Fisher’s 2019 Artist in Residence, and continues to consult and develop ethical, artisan-made collections. In this episode, you'll hear Anjali speak to the greenwashing of “artisan-made” goods and what it means for brands and designers to work ethically with artisans. Also in this conversion, the thread of “collaboration” kept coming up in really interesting ways! Anjali not only talks about the processes of collaborating with artisans in India, but collaborating with her clients — whether that's retail buyers, interior designers, or end-customers — to see what is truly resonating with them.  Think of it as an elegant dance balancing the heritage techniques that Variously's artisan partners work with, the physical realities of natural materials and natural dyes, and also what her ideal client actually wants in their home or wardrobe and importantly, is willing to invest in. She is constantly paying attention to what materials and formats people are excited about and willing to pay for.  This isn't about following every trend, but Anjali has found a beautiful balance of keeping Variously's products relevant while also respecting traditional artisanal practices. Anjali has been a Conscious Fashion Collective Member with us, so we've gotten to know her work over the past year and a half, and are so excited for all of you to get to know her work + insights now as well! Iif you're also a slow fashion founder looking for community and resources to support you in your professional and business development, you can join us inside of the CFC Membership here: consciousfashion.co/community   CONNECT WITH ANJALI: studiovariously.com @studiovariously LinkedIn   STAY IN TOUCH: Subscribe to Slow Fashion Saturday Join the CFC Membership

Is it possible to truly balance financial and environmental sustainability in circularity? This week's guest not only believes that it's possible to do both, but has proven it by architecting one of fashion’s most impactful resale programs, Worn Wear (at Patagonia). In this episode, she's sharing her lessons learned on everything from the type of resale model that could be capable of reducing new production to how we can better engage customers in circularity. Our guest Nellie Cohen spent nearly a decade at Patagonia as the architect of the brand’s precedent-setting and award-winning circularity program, Worn Wear. She holds over 15 years of sustainability experience and is widely recognized as a leading figure within the circular economy movement. In 2019, she founded her consultancy — Baleen — which is a specialized agency that focuses on circularity design and implementation. Over her career, she has worked with some of the world’s best known brands including Levi’s, Target, lululemon, and DÔEN. *** This is a recording of a conversation that Stella led with Nellie inside the Conscious Fashion Collective Membership community!  If you'd like to join in on future conversations like this, access our entire past session library, unlock our value-packed resource hub, and connect with a changemaking community, join us inside the CFC Membership. 💚 Learn more & join: consciousfashion.co/community

If you've been feeling discouraged, overwhelmed, or isolated on your sustainable fashion journey, it may be a sign to lean into community. In this episode, get tangible tips and encouragement to find or cultivate your own slow fashion community.  The second part of this episode features a replay of Elizabeth's interview on the Ecommerce Maven Podcast, where she spoke about building community around your slow fashion business and creating thriving partnerships. CONNECT: 📧 Conscious Fashion Collective Newsletter (stay updated on upcoming events, like founder x freelancer mixers!) 🌿CFC Membership (private community for sustainable fashion professionals & entrepreneurs) 💌 Slow Fashion Saturday (free newsletter for slow fashion advocates)

After what's been referred to as a "slow fashion recession", what's next for the movement? How can we come back stronger and make slow fashion so irresistible, that it becomes inevitable? Those are big questions, but that's what we're exploring in this podcast episode!  I'd love to hear your thoughts & ideas on this too — find me at @consciousstyle on Instagram or email me.   CONNECT: 💌 Slow Fashion Saturday Newsletter 🌱 Join the CFC Membership (community for sustainable fashion professionals & founders) ♻️ Upcycling Workshop      

For our first-ever Conscious Fashion Collective Membership panel discussion, we discussed a topic that is often taboo in the slow fashion space — money! We believe that financial sustainability is essential for creating a more just, and sustainable, fashion ecosystem with thriving businesses that care about people and the planet. 💰 WE DISCUSSED: Taboos/misconceptions about making money in the slow fashion space,What alternative business models and revenue streams can be successful for slow fashion brands who don’t want to follow the traditional fast fashion trajectory,Slow fashion pricing and forecasting,How freelancers can go about finding clients, retaining clients, and creating a client rotation that allows for financial sustainability,How to diversify your slow fashion skills and develop alternative streams of income/business offerings,And SO MUCH more!  This episode was brought to you by… Conscious Fashion Collective Membership: the global community for sustainable fashion professionals, freelancers, and entrepreneurs. Doors will be closing to new members on Friday, March 29th as we prepare to add even more value to the membership. When we reopen, we'll be increasing the price to account for the additional value. If you sign-up this week, you'll lock-in our current pricing for the lifetime of your membership. Learn more + join us: consciousfashion.co/community   LINKS: PicnicwearKismet Concept StudioMAHDIYYAHDevintoJacqueline SchumannPicnicwear DejaVu Dress PatternYouTube video: NYC Tailor Aims To Reduce Fast Fashion WasteCONNECT WITH CONSCIOUS STYLE: 📧Newsletter: https://www.consciouslifeandstyle.com/subscribe 🌐Website: consciouslifeandstyle.com 📸 Instagram: @consciousstyle

Financial sustainability is essential for creating a more just, and sustainable, fashion ecosystem with thriving businesses that care about people and the planet. But how do you go about actually making money in this space, especially when you care about not overproducing? Money-making is a topic that is all-too-often taboo in the slow fashion space, but our panelists Dani Des Roches, Mahdiyyah Muhammad, Jacqueline Schumann, and Aiste Zitnikaite are unpacking their experiences, transparently, in this episode! Note: This is a recording from a Conscious Fashion Collective Membership panel discussion, so you may hear references to the membership and “CFC". You can learn more about CFC's membership community here: consciousfashion.co/community 💰 WE DISCUSSED: Taboos/misconceptions about making money in the slow fashion space,What alternative business models and revenue streams can be successful for slow fashion brands who don’t want to follow the traditional fast fashion trajectory,Slow fashion pricing and forecasting,How freelancers can go about finding clients, retaining clients, and creating a client rotation that allows for financial sustainability,How to diversify your slow fashion skills and develop alternative streams of income/business offerings,And SO MUCH more!LINKS: Conscious Fashion Collective MembershipPicnicwearKismet Concept StudioMAHDIYYAHDevintoJacqueline Schumann  CONNECT WITH CONSCIOUS STYLE: 📧Newsletter: https://www.consciouslifeandstyle.com/subscribe 🌐Website: consciouslifeandstyle.com 📸 Instagram: @consciousstyle

How can fashion take action right now for a net positive future? From climate and biodiversity to worker livelihoods and fair wages to overconsumption and textile waste, the gaps between where we need to be and where we are right now feel… vast.  But in this episode, we're discussing ways that fashion act right now — like tomorrow — on 5 key pillars that encompass both people and planet. These are areas where the research, and tools are readily available, even for implementing at a large scale.  Ahead you'll hear my conversation with Holly Syrett, the Impact Programmes and Sustainability Director at Global Fashion Agenda (GFA), a nonprofit organization that accelerates measurable impact in the fashion industry. Perhaps what GFA is most known for is their Global Fashion Summits but they also drive impact through collaborative commitments, impact programs, thought leadership publications and by engaging with policy & advocacy. Their flagship report — which is freely accessible for all — is the Fashion CEO Agenda. And this year's edition, released at the Boston Fashion Summit, is offering more specific tangible action than ever. I kind of think of it as the no-excuses actionable sustainability playbook for fashion brands. I was excited to be able to have this conversation with Holly and be able to share it all with you for free because I know that there are so many of you that work in sustainable fashion or aspire to and want to dive deeper into these types of industry insights but they're not always accessible. So enjoy this conversation with Holly! GET THE TRANSCRIPT *** PRESENTED BY... The Conscious Fashion Collective Membership If you are a sustainable fashion professional or aspiring to transition into this industry, check out our sister platform Conscious Fashion Collective. We have a free career newsletter with jobs and resources dedicated to supporting your conscious fashion career journey. We also have a membership community where you can access extra jobs, attend career-focused member events and workshops, access tons of time-saving resources, and connect with a like-minded group of fashion changemakers. You can find out more about this membership at consciousfashion.co/community. *** GFA's RESOURCES: Fashion CEO Agenda2030 Fashion Sector VisionGFA Policy Matrix: AmericasGFA Policy Matrix for EUGFA's Policy & Advocacy WorkOTHER LINKS MENTIONED: Open Supply HubArticle: EILEEN FISHER's New CEO Wants You To Buy Fewer ClothesAmerican Circular Textiles*** CONNECT WITH HOLLY & GFA 🌐 Website: https://globalfashionagenda.org/ 📸 Instagram: @globalfashionagenda 💼 LinkedIn: Global Fashion Agenda 📺 YouTube: @GlobalFashionAgenda *** CONNECT WITH CONSCIOUS STYLE: 📧Newsletter: https://www.consciouslifeandstyle.com/edit 🌐Website: consciouslifeandstyle.com 📸 Instagram: @consciousstyle 📹 YouTube: @consciouslifeandstyle 📌 Pinterest: @consciouslifeandstyle

We have reached the 100th episode of the podcast! For the past 100 episodes, at the end of each episode we have asked our guests the same question: What would a better future for fashion look like, to you?  This question is important, because it sums up exactly why the podcast exists in the first place — to unpack exactly what it will take to cultivate a sustainable and equitable future for fashion. To celebrate this 100 episode milestone, we decided to mark the occasion by sharing a montage of some of our favorite answers, from guests we have had on the show, over the years. Plus, we are sharing a few listener answers to this question too. And, right at the end, we’ll share our reflections on the topic as well.  Enjoy listening to these visionary — yet practical — answers. Hopefully they’ll give you some food for thought and reflection points for your own relationship with fashion. And thank you for tuning in to celebrate 100 episodes with us! *** MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: Podcast Episode: EP10: Building a Better Secondhand Fashion System with Emily StochlPodcast Episode: EP82: Rana Plaza 10 Years Later: What’s Changed and What Hasn’t? With Ayesha BarenblatPodcast Episode: EP66: Defashioning and Creating a Pluriverse of Clothing Systems with Fashion Act NowPodcast Episode: EP22: Colonialism, Consumerism, and Changing the Fashion Industry with Aja BarberPodcast Episode: EP77: What Democratizing Fashion Is Truly About with Natalie ShehataPodcast Episode: EP54: Slowing Down Media with Kestrel JenkinsPodcast Episode: EP81: How We Can Expand the Sustainable Fashion Conversation with Samata PattinsonPodcast Episode: EP24: The Fascinating Psychology Behind Fashion and Consumption with Shakaila Forbes-BellPodcast Episode: EP79: Sustainable Fashion Policy and Collective Action with Elizabeth ClinePodcast Episode: EP20: How We Can Make Mending Mainstream with Josephine Philips of SojoYuhanne Natividad’s (podcast editor) contact details: LinkedIn*** CONNECT WITH CONSCIOUS STYLE: 📧Newsletter: https://www.consciouslifeandstyle.com/edit 🌐Website: consciouslifeandstyle.com 📸 Instagram: @consciousstyle 📹 YouTube: @consciouslifeandstyle 📌 Pinterest: @consciouslifeandstyle

As you might have noticed, we are just one episode away from the 100th episode of the podcast! We're starting the celebrations early and changing up the usual format with this episode. Instead of interviewing a guest, this week we’re sharing 10 lessons we’ve learned from 100 episodes of the podcast that features interviews with some of the most inspiring changemakers in the fashion industry. *** MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: Online Platform: Conscious Fashion CollectiveOnline Community: Conscious Fashion Collective MembershipPodcast Episode: EP79: Sustainable Fashion Policy and Collective Action with Elizabeth ClinePodcast Episode: EP96: Choosing Hope Over Climate Doomism with Isaias Hernandez Podcast Episode: EP50: Why Fast Fashion Is So Addictive with Zainab MahmoodPodcast Episode: EP24: The Fascinating Psychology Behind Fashion and Consumption with Shakaila Forbes-BellPodcast Episode: EP56: Style Psychology and the Drivers of Consumption with Dr. Dion Terrelonge Podcast Episode: EP77: What Democratizing Fashion Is Truly About with Natalie ShehataPodcast Episode: EP81: How We Can Expand the Sustainable Fashion Conversation with Samata PattinsonPodcast Episode: EP73: How To Uncover Your Soul Style with Kerry WildePodcast Episode: EP17: More Creativity, Less Consumption: Sustainable Stylist Tips from Alyssa BeltempoPodcast Episode: EP51: How To Find Joy In Your Closet Again with Stylist Sam WeirPodcast Episode: EP80: Where Does Fashion Stand On Climate Progress? A Conversation with Stand.EarthPodcast Episode: EP90: Rethinking Traditional Supply Chains with Ria Ana Sejpal of LilabarePodcast Episode: EP29: Compostable Clothing, Natural Dyes, and Localizing Fashion Systems with Lydia Wendt of California Cloth FoundryPodcast Episode: EP54: Slowing Down Media with Kestrel JenkinsPodcast Episode: EP94: Can Slow Fashion Businesses Scale Without Encouraging Overconsumption? With Mahdiyyah MuhammadPodcast Episode: EP92: From Extractive to Regenerative Fashion: Slow Growth, Climate Beneficial Fibers, and Cooperative Models with Laura Sansone of New York Textile LabPodcast Episode: EP38: How Custom Collaborative is Paving the Way for a Better Fashion Future with Ngozi OkaroPodcast Episode: EP20: How We Can Make Mending Mainstream with Josephine Philips of SojoPodcast Episode: EP57: Tips for Starting a Slow Fashion Brand with Selina Ho of ReclosetedPodcast Episode: EP58: The History of Fast Fashion with Sara IdacavagePodcast Episode: EP85: A People’s History of Clothing with Sofi ThanhauserPodcast Episode: EP22: Colonialism, Consumerism, and Changing the Fashion Industry with Aja Barber*** CONNECT WITH CONSCIOUS STYLE: 📧Newsletter: https://www.consciouslifeandstyle.com/edit 🌐Website: consciouslifeandstyle.com 📸 Instagram: @consciousstyle 📹 YouTube: @consciouslifeandstyle 📌 Pinterest: @consciouslifeandstyle

Is it green... or just greenwashing? This week, we’re sharing a recap of a few Green or Greenwashing topics we covered this season! Green or Greenwashing is a segment on the podcast where we evaluate if a certain sustainability measure is more green or whether it veers into more of the greenwashing territory. These Green or Greenwashing segments were previously published at the end of some prior episodes. The first segment we are resharing is whether third-party resale sites should ban fast fashion after a decision from Vestiaire Collective to do so. Then we will move into a recording where we discuss whether we really need "climate adaptive clothing". Finally, we evaluate if recycled polyester is truly circular.  GET THE TRANSCRIPT   *** MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: Article: Vestiaire Has Banned Fast FashionArticle: Vestiaire Collective’s ‘Fight Against Fast Fashion’ stepsArticle: What Is Extended Producer Responsibility in Textiles — and What’s Missing From Current Policies?Article: Clothes for the “apocalypse”: How to design for a climate crisisResource: Market Analysis and Insights: Global Recycled Polyester Fiber MarketWebsite: Textile Exchange's 2025 Recycled Polyester ChallengeResource: Made-By Environmental Benchmark for FibresArticle: The destructive, symbiotic relationship between the beverage and fashion industriesArticle: Are clothes made from recycled materials really more sustainable?Report: “It’s As If They’re Poisoning Us”: The Health Impacts of Plastic Recycling in TurkeyResearch Paper: An underestimated threat: Land-based pollution with micro-plastics*** CONNECT WITH CONSCIOUS STYLE: 📧Newsletter: https://www.consciouslifeandstyle.com/edit 🌐Website: consciouslifeandstyle.com 📸 Instagram: @consciousstyle 📹 YouTube: @consciouslifeandstyle 📌 Pinterest: @consciouslifeandstyle

Policy is an important lever in creating a better, more sustainable, and equitable fashion system. But if we only focus on policy that explicitly talks about the fashion industry and sustainability, we may be missing some opportunities.  In today's episode, I'm chatting with fashion policy expert Kenya Wiley. Kenya is sharing behind the scenes on the processes behind legislation and regulation — and even explaining the difference between the two terms — and some of the current policies in the works that could involve fashion that the fashion industry isn't talking about. These could be potential needle movers to cleaning up fashion, but aren't being taken advantage of right now. Kenya is also discussing the much-anticipated Green Guides from the Federal Trade Commission to help reduce greenwashing, what recent US Supreme Court decisions mean for the fashion industry, a funding opportunity for sustainability-minded fashion organizations, and more. Find the transcript here. *** PRESENTED BY… Osei-Duro Osei-Duro is a slow, artisan-made sustainable fashion brand based in Ghana using handmade textile techniques to create contemporary garments that are true works of art. Their colorful, bold-printed clothing is hand-dyed and sewn in Ghana by small-scale artisans and manufactured to support the local apparel industry. And they have extended sizes, with many styles going up to 4X. Osei-Duro's clothing is made with care — and the people behind these garments treat each other with the same care and respect. The small business pays full-time wages for a 4-day work week and offers numerous benefits including full health insurance and maternity coverage. Get 20% off site wide by using the code CONSCIOUSSTYLE20.   *** SHOW NOTES: https://www.consciouslifeandstyle.com/kenya-wiley   MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: Online Community: Conscious Fashion Collective MembershipNewsletter: Fashion Law and Social Justice NewsletterOnline course: Fashion Policy and Justice (Note: listeners can take 50% off with code JUSTICE50; contact Kenya directly for the 80% off student discount)Podcast Episode: EP79: Sustainable Fashion Policy and Collective Action with Elizabeth ClineInformation Resource: 2023 Farm BillInformation Resource: SEC Climate Disclosures RuleInformation Resource: The Recycling & Compostability Accountability Act  *** CONNECT WITH KENYA WILEY: 🌐 Website: https://kenyawiley.com/ 📸 Instagram: @kenyanwiley 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kenya-wiley-558601b6/ 📱 Twitter (X): @KenyaNWiley   *** CONNECT WITH CONSCIOUS STYLE: 📧Newsletter: https://www.consciouslifeandstyle.com/edit 🌐Website: consciouslifeandstyle.com 📸 Instagram: @consciousstyle 📹 YouTube: @consciouslifeandstyle 📌 Pinterest: @consciouslifeandstyle