Style & Sustain – Details, episodes & analysis

In this episode, we talk to Mande Mory, an entrepreneur based in Senegal and one of the founders of Africa’s first secondhand shopping app: Donkafale. But beyond a simple Depop or Vinted (no shade to those apps we love them!) this app aims to create jobs for young creatives struggling to find employment after university and allow them to connect to a community of creatives in multiple industries, online and in real life. We loved talking to Mandé because it was never just about fashion for his team. He saw a problem and created a solution which is what all great entrepreneurs do, but what was most inspiring was his heart for creating opportunities that make a difference in the everyday life of African youths while digitising and preserving cultural sustainability. Let's dig into his story. Find out more about Donkafele here: https://donkafele.com/en/ Follow here: https://www.instagram.com/donkafele/

Slow Fashion is a key part of the sustainable and fair fashion movement. It has claimed its space as a more realistic and wholesome approach to changing the fashion industry for the better. In this episode, I dive into the definition of Slow Fashion, and its importance for local communities around the world, while highlighting five slow fashion brands that celebrate and support Palestinian craftsmanship and textile heritage.  The five brands:  Nol Collective - ⁠https://nolcollective.com/⁠  Anat International - ⁠https://anat-international.com/⁠  Meera Adnan - ⁠https://meeraadnan.com/⁠ SEP Jordan - ⁠https://septhebrand.com/en-gb?scr=yes⁠  Paliroots - ⁠https://www.paliroots.com/⁠

In this episode, I talk about four brands or as I like to call them fashion's wolves in sheep's clothing - these brands sit in that grey area, easily mistaken for sustainable and ethical brands but a deep dive into the behind the scenes show that it's not exactly the case. I also recommend authentic sustainable and ethical alternatives to go for instead. Can you guess what these brands are? Let's dive in!

Selina Ho is the brilliant founder of Recloseted, a consulting agency for sustainable fashion. In this conversation we go back to her beginnings: from her favourite food growing up to why she felt the pull to start a consultancy focused on fashion brands that want to do better for people and the planet. She also gives us incredible insight into 3 top trends and innovations in the sustainable fashion space right now, which you won’t want to miss! I loved debating with her about whether sustainable growth is possible for brands, as well as exploring some of the trends shaping the industry for the better. I start by asking here about life between her two homes London and Toronto…take a listen!

Greenwashing and activism are two words that have become THE buzzwords of this fashion generation but what do they really mean? Two big announcements happened in the last few weeks in the fashion world. If you follow sustainable fashion news, you would have heard that Boohoo partnered with Kourtney Kardashian to embark on a performative "sustainability" journey while Patagonia decided to give all its current and future profits to climate justice initiatives and organisations. Two decisions that stand in stark opposition to each other. In this episode, I use the example of these two events to break down what greenwashing entails (Boohoo) and how real sustainability activism with the planet's interest at its core can shift the narrative and have an impact (Patagonia). Let's dive in! Check out these articles and sources:  https://www.bloomberg.com/opinion/articles/2022-09-15/patagonia-has-no-more-owners?leadSource=uverify%20wall https://www.theguardian.com/fashion/2022/sep/12/kourtney-kardashian-boohoo-fast-fashion-sustainable

Mutete Bakhita is an all-round creative passionate about art, apothecary and spreading the word about sustainable fashion through her social enterprise: 25sw4p. 25sw4p hosts swaps in Nairobi Kenya where Mutete is based and also creates space for local brands and other creatives to connect. This conversation is full of hope and offers a fresh look at the abundance of positivity we can find on this beautiful planet through sustainability, art and mother nature. Take a listen! 

In this episode, I explore what it actually means for fast fashion brands to pay up and which movements/charities/organisations are championing this. **Trigger warning for this episode around an incident in a factory*** Many movements are arising against the capitalistic fast fashion industry, over the last decade or so many non-profit organisations have set their intent on transforming the industry by holding fast fashion brands accountable on many fronts and it's paying off in amazing ways! Support Remake Our World here: https://remake.world/donations-page/  **Episode correction:** the #payup campaign has ended. It garnered $22 billion from more than 25 major brands, including H&M, Zara, Gap Inc., Calvin Klein, Target, for orders they placed prior to the pandemic, making it one of the most successful worker rights campaigns in modern fashion history. Support the OR Foundation here: https://theor.org/donate Support AWAJ Foundation here: http://awajfoundation.org/get-involved/donate/ Read about the Tamil Nadu Textile and Common Labour Union (TTCU): https://www.business-humanrights.org/es/%C3%BAltimas-noticias/india-tamil-nadu-textile-and-common-labour-union-calls-on-buyers-to-agree-to-enforceable-binding-agreement-to-end-gender-based-violence-at-natchi-apparels/ Support Asia Floor Wage Alliance here: https://asia.floorwage.org/ Please rate & review my podcast here: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/style-sustain-the-podcast/id1541781666

In this episode I chat with the fab Rosette Ale aka @thriftqueenlola, digital content creator and founder of sustainable fashion brand Revival London. We talk and laugh about the struggles of mindful fashion, how her faith influences her brand and her passion to share her sewing skills through workshops across London. Plus, we share lots of tips on where to thrift and find the right brands. Revival London repurposes denim in a stylish and innovative way, think of your denim jeans as a tube top or a handbag. I start off asking Rosette about her cool Instagram name @thriftqueenlola and what it means: here’s her answer and the rest of the episode! Enjoy!

In this episode I share my thoughts on fashion & women's issues, delving into why and how an industry powered by women is mainly run by profit-driven men and what some of the female-led solutions could be. Take a listen!  *Recorded in April.

In this episode, I’m chatting to Beatrice Oboh, a friend and fellow sustainable fashion enthusiast. Beatrice has a background with multiple interests but her love and curiosity about what goes on behind the scenes in the fashion industry led her to create Avant Runway, a conversation led space that brings to light solution-driven individuals who are changing the face of fashion. We talk about how the sustainable fashion journey began for Beatrice, being black women in the industry and her hopes for the future of fashion. Take a listen!