I always had a strong sense that I wanted to partake in the business of fashion but only if I could do it in a way that doesn't make things worse for this earth or contribute vastly to the excess. I can't quite reconcile the idea of my own desire for creative expression leading to heaps of unsold clothes destined for the overflowing markets of Ghana, landfill or even the incinerator. So I'm here to explore processes that don't give me that bad feeling, and to support other designers and creators to develop products in a conscious way with longevity at heart.

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My grandparents were leading biodynamic farmers of their time and I fondly remember summers spent roaming the farm exploring the gifts of a land rich in biodiversity. Growing up around this way of working with the land informs the values I hold close now and am trying to integrate into my work. There isn't one answer to the problem of fashion's impact on climate and communities, but I'm excited to spend my life exploring ideas, checking my choices and staying true to my beliefs. I’d also like to produce some beautiful work along the way. 

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Recently I invested in the industry platform for sustainable fashion Common Objective. I'm probably their smallest investor ever :) but that's okay! It was my first official investment and felt like a personal commitment to keep 'investing' myself in this pathway.

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Some of the key questions I ask myself:

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How can I make this product be it's own best self?

So that it will be most functional, well loved and long lived before being either recycled or composted (my preference) so it leaves no trace.

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Is there a waste/excess/unwanted material I can use up first?

I find this approach really exciting, it’s a big part of my motivation for design. The joy of stumbling across existing materials, especially unwanted ones, and thinking about what they want to become most? What garment design would give them new life as something loved? Of course working at scale it's much harder to repurpose existing materials, some labels are managing though: E.L.V denim who make new jeans from old ones, Christopher Raeburn famously pioneered the re-use of silk parachutes for clothing, and  Freitag who use the colourful printed tarpaulins from the sides of lorries to make sturdy bags and accessories.

 

If I need to buy new materials which ones?

The rapidly growing sustainable sector of the fashion industry is full of wild ideas, diverse materials and brilliant initiatives. I work to keep myself informed of developments, explore new suppliers and materials, attend relevant events and trade shows so that I can go back to my corner of influence and suggest more sustainable, ethical options wherever I possible. Naturally I want my clients projects to be a success, and because of my passion for the sustainable sector I also really want the suppliers to be a success so that they continue to increase their share in the global fabric producing market and reduce some of the ecological damage being caused by traditional methods. So in short, I feel emotionally invested in matching clients and suppliers whenever I can and that's why i built my own sustainable supplier database.

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I'll be blogging in and around this theme.