Podcasts about ethical fashion initiative

Trailblazing South African fashion designer Lukhanyo Mdingi's brand story is as distinct and vibrant as the fashion he creates. From early influences of pop culture in the Eastern Cape to the launch of his post-graduate show, Mdingi's journey is a testament to the power of visibility and mentorship in the fashion industry. Winning the LVMH Karl Lagerfeld Prize in 2021 and the Amiri Prize in 2023 bolstered his eponymous label's global presence and solidified vital industry connections; it also revealed the systemic challenges faced by brands emerging from developing countries. Yet, despite these challenges, he affirms his brand will remain in South Africa, articulating a strategic approach to building a regional direct-to-consumer model, recognizing the potential for growth and revenue generation, and instilling a sense of empowerment within local infrastructure and craftsmanship. A key focus for Mdingi is collaboration: His partnership with the Ethical Fashion Initiative and his label's work with South African artisans highlights the unique, rich histories and the particular needs of regional communities and markets. By nurturing homegrown success while keeping an eye on the global horizon, Mdingi thrives in a dynamic industry, wittingly weaving together talent, purpose, and the transformative potential of fashion.

After a busy week of visiting shows and panel talks, we circle back to our HQ to summarize Fashion X, the Stockholm ”fashion week” run by the Swedish Fashion Council. We discuss the main takeaways, and share field interviews with the following industry insiders:Chloé Mukai, Senior Programme Officer, at the Ethical Fashion Initiative.Angeline Elfström, Business Development Manager, Oncemore.Isobel Farmiloe, Group Strategy Director, Dazed.With: Konrad Olsson, Editor-in-Chief & Co-Founder, Johan Magnusson, Senior Editor, and Aylin Franzon, Editorial Assistant. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Walé Oyéjidé is a director, writer, designer, photographer, musician, and lawyer who uses the power of storytelling to combat bias. His debut feature, Bravo, Burkina!, had its world premiere at the 2023 Sundance Film Festival. The film is about a Burkinabé boy who flees his village and migrates to Italy. When later disillusioned by heartbreak, and haunted by memories of home, he travels through time in hope of regaining all he has lost. In this episode, No Film School's GG Hawkins and director Walé Oyéjidé, discuss: Not being rigid about the format you use to tell a story Thinking more about the voice of the filmmaker instead of the budget of the project Changing the bias people have towards refugees by casting them for his projects How naivety can help us make big leaps and take chances Giving your team time to work together before committing to a larger, more serious project Contributing deeply to the local communities he works with Why it takes decades to figure out your voice Appreciating all the rejections you get Memorable Quotes  “Finding your voice from the beginning, that's more precious than any particular tools.” [7:38] “We should not be shy about understanding why we are on this planet.” [17:09] “You're doing yourself and the world a disservice by not being your best self.” [49:21] “It is better to be quiet than it is to be frivolous.” [52:14] Mentioned Resources: Bravo, Burkina! - Presented by Ethical Fashion Initiative & Ikiré Jones Stills from the film: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1Mjad6OiPQF8Bncp5QauS1JPPcdGicOdf Find No Film School everywhere: On the Web https://nofilmschool.com/ Facebook  https://www.facebook.com/nofilmschool Twitter  https://twitter.com/nofilmschool YouTube  https://www.youtube.com/user/nofilmschool Instagram https://www.instagram.com/nofilmschool Send us an email with questions or feedback: podcast@nofilmschool.com! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We are excited to be back for a third series of the Ethical Fashion Podcast, this time addressing ESG and how the fashion industry can be more sustainable. Explore the issues driving the biggest topic in fashion conversation today with your hosts UN officer Simone Cipriani and sustainable fashion journalist Clare Press. Hit Subscribe or Follow in your favourite podcast app to make sure you get all the new episodes. Follow is on Instagram @ethicalfashion   The Ethical Fashion Initiative is a programme of the International Trade Centre,a joint agency of the United Nations and the World Trade Organisation. Our music is from the original production From Kabul to Bamako, music directed by Saïd Assadi. This podcast was produced with the financial support of the European Union. Its contents are the sole responsibility of ITC Ethical Fashion Initiative and do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Could social enterprises offer a blueprint for how fashion can start to center people above shareholder profits?Well, this is the question that will be explored in today's episode hosted by Stella Hertantyo with guest Simone Cipriani of the Ethical Fashion Initiative.Simone covers so many important topics, including:Why human rights and labor rights need to be at the center of our fashion system,How his work with artisan communities has helped him understand what sustainable fashion means in practice, how social enterprises work, and how alternative fashion business models are helping us shift the business of fashion by tackling overconsumption and waste,Why he thinks we are in the era of fashion accountability and the role that business reporting plays in this, and;Why local ecosystems are production and consumption and circular textile economies are key elements of degrowth in practiceHit play to find out how social enterprises can shift fashion's future.  ***This episode was brought to you by Green Eco Dream, a sustainably-minded marketplace with eco-conscious alternatives for your health, home, beauty, and on-the-go needs.Check out Green Eco Dream's collection of low waste, low impact clothing care essentials.*** FULL SHOW NOTES & TRANSCRIPT:https://www.consciouslifeandstyle.com/simone-ciprianiOTHER EPISODES MENTIONED:EP.38 How Custom Collaborative is Paving the Way for a Better Fashion FutureEP.26 Behind the Indigenous-Owned Circular Conscious Fashion Brand Anne MulaireCONNECT WITH ETHICAL FASHION INITIATIVEWebsiteInstagram: @ethicafashionCONNECT WITH ELIZABETH & CONSCIOUS STYLE:WebsiteInstagramPinterestSUBSCRIBE TO THE CONSCIOUS EDIThttps://www.consciouslifeandstyle.com/edit 

Our guest this week is the Lagos-based fashion designer Adebayo Oke-Lawal, founder of Orange Culture. This luxury label has combined fashion with activism since 2011, and is ethically produced in Nigeria.  His work has won him accolades in international fashion circles but it's his approach to movement building and giving back that wins hearts. This is an inspiring conversation about standing up for what you believe in, challenging toxic masculinity and mentoring a new generation emerging African fashion designers. This podcast is brought to you by the Ethical Fashion Initiative. Find out more at https://ethicalfashioninitiative.org/ Our music is from the original production From Kabul to Bamako, music directed by Saïd Assadi. This podcast was produced with the financial support of the European Union. Its contents are the sole responsibility of ITC Ethical Fashion Initiative and do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week we’re focused on contemporary African art. Your host is the Nigerian writer and journalist Ayodeji Rotinwa, who welcomes the renowned Ethiopian gallerist and self-taught art historian and Mesai Haileleul to be interviewed. Mr. Haileleul opened the first gallery representing Ethiopian artists in Los Angeles in the 1990s and now, with Rakeb Sile, co-runs Addis Fine Art - a leading contemporary gallery specialising in art from the Horn of Africa and its diaspora with venues in London and Addis Ababa. This is a podcast about how the African contemporary art market is booming internationally, and what’s driving that interest. But it’s also about the importance and opportunities of focusing on home. Full of fascinating insights on the everything from the history of the art scene in Addis Ababa, to the challenges of building arts infrastructure when building roads and schools takes priority, ultimately it's a conversation about the business of culture and how to support it.  This podcast is brought to you by the Ethical Fashion Initiative. Find out more at https://ethicalfashioninitiative.org/ Our music is from the original production From Kabul to Bamako, music directed by Saïd Assadi. This podcast was produced with the financial support of the European Union. Its contents are the sole responsibility of ITC Ethical Fashion Initiative and do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In 2020 Project X, The Opportunities Are Here arrived in Uganda, presented by the Ethical Fashion Initiative and the EU. Surely the EFI’s most fun project to date, this televised talent competition followed a nation-wide call for young creative entrepreneurs in Africa. But there’s also serious agenda - building economic opportunity. The hit TV show’s judges included Joram Muzira Job, Uganda’s top model agent, and in this fabulous interview with your regular podcast hosts Simone Cipriani and Clare Press, Joram shares his career story and advice for the next generation coming through. We talk Kampala’s thriving fashion scene, how to use to social media to get ahead, strategies for winning over investors, and the power of following you dreams. Find out more at https://ethicalfashioninitiative.org/ Our music is from the original production From Kabul to Bamako, music directed by Saïd Assadi. This podcast series was produced with the financial support of the European Union. Its contents are the sole responsibility of ITC Ethical Fashion Initiative and do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week's podcast is guest hosted by American stylist and creative director Alexander-Julian (AJ) Gibbson. In a vibrant conversation with Abrima Erwiah, co-founder and president of fashion social enterprise Studio 189, you'll hear all about creating, running and building a fashion business with purpose in Accra. Studio 189 is an award-winning fashion label based in Ghana and the United States. Its goal is to promote African and African-inspired fashion. Abrima and AJ explore the challenges and benefits of local production, the human aspect of slow fashion and to the beauty of knowing the stories of the people behind the process. Find out more at https://ethicalfashioninitiative.org/ Our music is from the original production From Kabul to Bamako, music directed by Saïd Assadi. This podcast series was produced with the financial support of the European Union. Its contents are the sole responsibility of ITC Ethical Fashion Initiative and do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Alexander-Julian Gibbson is a Houston-based stylist and content creator known for his directional shoots for magazines (think GQ, Vogue and Flaunt) and musicians like Patoranking. This week, Simone and Clare meet the Nigerian-American creative force to discuss Lagos style, why the world is looking to African fashion right now, and career pathways for emerging Black creatives. They also have a frank conversation about the state of diversity and inclusion in the global fashion industry, what needs to change and what's being done. Find out more at https://ethicalfashioninitiative.org/ Our music is from the original production From Kabul to Bamako, music directed by Saïd Assadi. This podcast was produced with the financial support of the European Union. Its contents are the sole responsibility of ITC Ethical Fashion Initiative and do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This episode is about fashion and art, healing and opportunities in Burrundi. Today a creative scene is blossoming in Bujumbura with artists, musicians, photographers and designers using the power of self-expression and the beauty of creativity to connect, and foster new economic opportunities. Margaux Wong designer Margaux Rusita is one such creative. She designs sustainable and ethically produced jewellery, hand-crafted from cow horn and brass, and was part of the Ethical Fashion Initiative’s inaugural Accelerator Programme for African Designers. An artistic spirit with beautiful energy, she is also mother to five children, and passionate about female empowerment. Find out more at https://ethicalfashioninitiative.org/ Our music is from the original production From Kabul to Bamako, music directed by Saïd Assadi. This podcast was produced with the financial support of the European Union. Its contents are the sole responsibility of ITC Ethical Fashion Initiative and do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, we continue our conversation on friendships and how they end. We also host our first guest of the season, Naa Shida who joined us to talk about moving on and giving second chances to friends we may have cut off or vice versa. The Gold Coast Report is also supporting the Ethical Fashion Initiative. Catch the premiere episode ft. @virgilabloh speaking on the value of social media and democratising fashion ✂ #EthicalFashionPodcast  @eu_partnerships 

This week we meet two rising fashion design stars. Both are part of the Ethical Fashion Initiative's Accelerator Programme for emerging African designers.  Jennifer Mulli is the founder of Kenyan brand Jiamini - made by women for women. Known for its jewellery, in particular extravagant beaded neckpieces, bracelets and bags, they use age-old craft traditions passed down the generations and brought to life by skilled female artisans. Mulli discusses empowering women through ethical employment pathways and the beauty of using heritage fashion techniques to do so. Lukhanyo Mdingi is a South African fashion designer based in Cape Town who is gaining accolades globally for his sophisticated men’s and womenswear collections. A textile enthusiast, Mdingi manufactures locally with a luxury aesthetic. In this conversation, we talk about how a small brand can take on the international market, the slow fashion approach and the opportunities for re-shoring garment production in South Africa. This podcast is brought to you by the Ethical Fashion Initiative. Find out more at https://ethicalfashioninitiative.org/ Our music is from the original production From Kabul to Bamako, music directed by Saïd Assadi. This podcast was produced with the financial support of the European Union. Its contents are the sole responsibility of ITC Ethical Fashion Initiative and do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Access to technology is changing the game for a new generation of young African entrepreneurs, and the creative economy provides exciting opportunities on the continent. But with young people making up 60% of Africa’s unemployed, how can they overcome career challenges and harness digital connectivity to get ahead? And what skills and qualities are companies looking for in potential young employees today? Welcome to the second episode in our new series focused on Africa. Our guest host this week is Roberta Annan, impact investor and founder of Africa Fashion Fund. She is in conversation with Patricia Obo-Nai, Chief Executive Officer of Vodafone Ghana. They discuss mentoring new talent, the importance of digital and financial literacy, women in leadership, their own career paths to becoming prominent female business leaders in Ghana, and strategies for emerging creative entrepreneurs across Africa in the digital era. This podcast is brought to you by the Ethical Fashion Initiative. Find out more at https://ethicalfashioninitiative.org/ Our music is from the original production From Kabul to Bamako, music directed by Saïd Assadi. This podcast was produced with the financial support of the European Union. Its contents are the sole responsibility of ITC Ethical Fashion Initiative and do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Virgil Abloh is one of the most interesting designers working in the global fashion industry today. He is the artistic director of menswear at Louis Vuitton, as well as the creative force behind his own brand Off-White. A true polymath, he is a multi-media artist who moves culture forwards and describes his creative process, across multiple platforms, as “taking an idea and dreaming it aloud”. In this, the first episode of Series 2, hosts Simone Cipriani and Clare Press sit down with Abloh to discuss diversity and inclusion, his latest projects, what he calls “mentoring by existence” and his personal creative journey. It’s conversation as a rollercoaster ride swooping from Andy Warhol to Miles Davis and James Baldwin to Caravaggio, fashion students, Abloh’s aims and inspirations, and the role of a designer today. Find out more at https://ethicalfashioninitiative.org/ Our music is from the original production From Kabul to Bamako, music directed by Saïd Assadi. This podcast was produced with the financial support of the European Union. Its contents are the sole responsibility of ITC Ethical Fashion Initiative and do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Cette semaine je reçois Camille Jaillant la créatrice de la marque Olistic The Label.  Je suis convaincue que la mode peut être un levier d’action puissant, une plateforme pour faire bouger les lignes de notre monde et de notre consommation. Camille l’a bien compris. Avec Olistic elle fait bien plus que vendre des vêtements. Elle encourage l’indépendance financière de communautés de femmes en Inde ou au Portugal, elle fait la promotion de matières innovantes et moins polluantes et elle s’engage auprès des Nations Unies.  Avec Camille on a parlé du rôle de l’ONU dans la défense et la démocratisation d’une mode durable, de ses actions engagées en tant que créatrice de mode et de la soie de la paix. Je vous souhaite une très belle écoute !  —— Références :  The Sustainable Angle : https://thesustainableangle.org  Arianee : https://www.arianee.org/  Episode avec Déborah Berger pour parler de blockchain : https://smartlink.ausha.co/nouveau-modele-1/episode-37-deborah-berger-une-tracabilite-exemplaire  Alliance des Nations Unies pour une mode durable : https://www.instagram.com/unfashionalliance/  Ethical Fashion Initiative : https://ethicalfashioninitiative.org  Les ODD des Nations Unies : https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/fr/objectifs-de-developpement-durable/  —— Mixage : Thomas Lenglain 

From a lack of transparency to a business model that squeezes those at the bottom, fashion's supply chains can be a sustainability nightmare. There's a disconnect between the consumers who buy clothes, the retailers who sell them, the designers who conceive of them and all the different suppliers further down the chain, who cut and sew them, produce the textiles and the raw materials. And while the fashion industry has been very effective in optimising shareholder wealth, it has been less so when it comes to creating wealth for other stakeholders – in particular suppliers and workers. The current system favours ‘buy cheap, sell high’, compressing the cost of production. Suppliers find themselves competing on price and are often forced to compromise on employment standards to stay in business. So what's the alternative? In this Episode we ask, how can we create positive sum relationships, rather than zero sum transactions in the fashion supply chain? What happens when we start to view suppliers and workers as true stakeholders rather than simple as costs? Simone sits down with Sergio Tamborini, CEO of Italian luxury textiles leader Ratti Spa. Clare discusses transparency with Remake Our World's Ayesha Barenblat, and profit sharing with Rituraj Dewan, cofounder of the Indian social enterprise 7 Weaves Silk. Find out more at https://ethicalfashioninitiative.org/ Our music is from the original production From Kabul to Bamako, music directed by Saïd Assadi. This podcast was produced with the financial support of the European Union. Its contents are the sole responsibility of ITC Ethical Fashion Initiative and do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Acting as a bridge between fashion brands and artisan producers, the Ethical Fashion Initiative carefully measures the impact of each order, to ensure that the work is positively impacting the lives of the artisans, and that each project works towards the UN Sustainable Development Goals. This is sometimes difficult, always rewarding work - and perhaps nowhere more so than in Afghanistan. There, the EFI's main fashion partner is Zarif Design. In this episode, your hosts Simone Cipriani and Clare Press sit down with Zarif's inspiring founder, Zolaykha Sherzad to hear how she established her social enterprise to bring beauty, harmony and hope to one corner of the city she grew up in.  Find out more at https://ethicalfashioninitiative.org/ Our music is from the original production From Kabul to Bamako, music directed by Saïd Assadi. This podcast was produced with the financial support of the European Union. Its contents are the sole responsibility of ITC Ethical Fashion Initiative and do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

You've probably heard Simone say, "It's a very serious business, fashion." Done right, the business of fashion can provide pathways for fair work and hope in places where they've been lacking. But how do our institutions put this into practice in areas afflicted by conflict and humanitarian disaster?  In this Episode, Clare talks the European Commission's Raffaella Iodice to find out how it all works, and learn how the Ethical Fashion Initiative began its projects in Afghanistan. And to discover Raffaella's personal story too - this is a conversation about finding purpose and following your dreams. At the time of recording, Raffaella was head of unit (Middle East/Gulf, South Asia and Central Asia) at DEVCO - the Directorate-General for International Cooperation and Development. Today, she is head of unit at ECHO - the Directorate-General for European Civil Protection & Humanitarian Aid Operations. In all her roles, she has brought compassion, integrity and a life-long passion for fashion.  Find out more at https://ethicalfashioninitiative.org/ Our music is from the original production From Kabul to Bamako, music directed by Saïd Assadi. This podcast was produced with the financial support of the European Union. Its contents are the sole responsibility of ITC Ethical Fashion Initiative and do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Come with us to Tokyo Fashion Week, where your hosts Simone Cipriani and Clare Press met with longtime friend of the Ethical Fashion Initiative, Hirofumi Kurino of United Arrows. According to Business of Fashion, he's a "leading arbiter or style". Polimoda calls him "a fashion oracle" and Vogue, one of the most stylish men in fashion. Mr. Kurino also has a fine understanding of the importance of socially responsible business. United Arrows was the first Japanese retailer to work with the EFI, back in 2013. A fascinating look at Japanese style, what makes successful retail and the importance of sustainability. Plus you'll hear all about how Mr Kurino launched a United Arrows sub-brand, Tégê, with accessories made in Kenya and men's tailoring sewn in Japan using artisan produced fabric from Burkina Faso. It's all about the mix, he says. After all, Kurino-san is also a DJ. Find out more at https://ethicalfashioninitiative.org/ Our music is from the original production From Kabul to Bamako, music directed by Saïd Assadi. This podcast was produced with the financial support of the European Union. Its contents are the sole responsibility of ITC Ethical Fashion Initiative and do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Welcome to the very first episode of the ETHICAL FASHION PODCAST! In this episode, your hosts Simone Cipriani and Clare Press speak to International Vogue Editor Suzy Menkes; Roberta Annan, founder of the African Fashion Foundation; writer and sustainability consultant Rachel Arthur; and Helsinki Fashion Week's Evelyn Mora. Up for discussion: What's wrong with the old system of international fashion weeks? How we might redesign the format to make it less polluting and more inclusive. Does everything have to go digital? How can we ensure no one gets left behind? Follow us on Instagram @ethicalfashion www.ethicalfashioninitiative.org Our music is from the original production From Kabul to Bamako, music directed by Saïd Assadi. This podcast was produced with the financial support of the European Union. Its contents are the sole responsibility of ITC Ethical Fashion Initiative and do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How can fashion be a force for good? Goodbye fast fashion! Hello to a better way that focuses on social and environmental justice, inclusivity and sustainable development. The UN's Ethical Fashion Initiative acts as a bridge, connecting marginalised artisan communities, in challenging & remote locations, with some of the biggest names in international fashion.  Explore the issues driving the ethical fashion conversation with your hosts UN officer Simone Cipriani and sustainable fashion journalist Clare Press. The Ethical Fashion Initiative is a programme of the International Trade Centre, a joint agency of the United Nations and the World Trade Organisation.       This podcast was produced with the financial support of the European Union. Its contents are the sole responsibility of ITC Ethical Fashion Initiative and do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today I talk to Eva Geraldine Fontanelli. We begin by discussing how Eva is coping with the lockdow then tells me about her meditation practice. She studies a form of Japanese Buddhist meditation that she discovered in her 20’s. While meditating, she recites the mantra, “nam myoho renge kyo” which she roughly translates as ‘I believe in the law of cause and effect.’ Through her meditation, she finds answers to questions from within herself and declares the practice to also have a practical aspect to the results outside herself.I was curious to ask Eva about her start in the fashion industry and discover what brought her to a cover shoot with Gilles Bensimon for Elle US on the streets of NYC, the moment she discovered that being a fashion stylist could be (or would be) her career. Eva tells me about her journey from unpaid intern to junior editor and how her determination and being the only Spanish speaker in the fashion department really worked to her advantage. She also believes in her own unique style and sense of humor and explains how authenticity and honesty is at the core of how she works.I then ask Eva where her interest in sustainability began and we discuss the Social Sustainable program, acting as a mentor for brands like the beautiful Orenda Tribe and the UN  Ethical Fashion Initiative headed by Simone Cipriani. She then tells all about  Goooders, the platform she created to sell and to promote sustainable brands, like one of her favourites Parafina, and explains the meaning of the motto: “When you do good, you look good!”I also ask Eva about conscious travel post-COVID-19. She is optimistic and tells me of an Italian proverb: "Non tutto il male vien per nuocere" which she translates as ‘not all bad things come to damage you.’ She is operating from a place of gratitude and sees the opportunities that this global event provides us. I conclude the podcast by asking Eva these questions:1) What is your favorite word?"Grazie. Merci. Thank you. So, basically it's one of my secrets, because I have always been thankful and I try to be thankful all the time. Something really that keeps me happy. So, I'm really grateful for that time. So it's one of the word I say most. Grazie, grazie, grazie, to people in the street to the vendors, friends. You know, a word I really, really love."2) What are you not good at?“Laundry. Unless you like tie & dye style, I would avoid laundry”3) What brings you happiness?“I have a little gratitude journal where sometimes I force myself to write at least 10 things I'm grateful for every day.So sometimes I come up sometimes with superficial things like my coffee but these days, I'm really, really thankful for my body and my health.“You can find out more about Eva here: InstagramYou can find more about Goooders here: Goooders and on their Instagram Select Links from Eva on both Buddhism and sustainability: Eva's zen buddhist community is SGI.Eva’s book recommendations for meditation practiceAnd another suggestion for introduction to buddhismEva’s recommendations for sustainability resources:To read:This is a good guideHarvard MagazineMission MagazineTo listen to:The Minimalists PodcastThe Green Divas podcastTo follow: Bandana TewariClare Presshttps://ethicalfashioninitiative.org_______________________________If you enjoyed this episode, click subscribe for more, and if you are so enclined, rate and review the show on Apple Podcasts.For show notes and transcripts, please visit Out Of The Clouds on Simplecast. Sign up for Anne's email newsletter at https://annevmuhlethaler.com.Follow Anne:Twitter: @annvi IG: @annvi    

In episode 143, Kestrel welcomes Barrett Ward, the founder + CEO of ABLE, to the show. A lifestyle brand, ABLE is focused on ending generational poverty through providing economic opportunity for women. “We also know that when a woman is empowered and given a job - this is a statistic, it’s a fact - that a woman has a far more significant impact in her community than does a man. If you want to have a serious impact on poverty in the world, the fashion world is an extraordinary place to start.” -Barrett Ward, Founder of ABLE In the introduction of this episode, Kestrel shares a bit of context as to what constitutes a living wage, according to The Clean Clothes Campaign. A living wage is a human right. And as The Clean Clothes Campaign outlines, a living wage should be earned in a standard working week (no more than 48 hours) and allow a garment worker to be able to buy food for themself and their family, pay the rent, pay for healthcare, clothing, transportation and education and have a small amount of savings for when something unexpected happens. Throughout this chat, Barrett shares more on his #PublishYourWages campaign, and how he believes exposing these numbers is the key to bringing higher accountability and to ensure workers are actually paid living wages. Barrett also shares how ABLE plans to have nutritional-like labels on all of their garments within the next year, showcasing their lowest wages. For Barrett, the “lowest wages” is really significant, so shoppers can truly understand what they are supporting through their purchases. The below thoughts, ideas + organizations were brought up in this chat:  Less than 2% of women in the global garment supply chain are actually being paid a living wage, highlighted in Fast Company article Amazon’s minimum wage issues in their fulfillment centers; an example Barrett brings up reminding us of the power consumers really have to influence change A hero of Barrett’s: Simone Cipriani, the Head of the Ethical Fashion Initiative of the International Trade Centre (ITC)'; Simone oversees the promotion of trade and incubation of creative micro-enterprises within marginalized communities in Africa and Haiti ABLE’s #PublishYourWages campaign

How can fashion aristanship empower women? What does a fair work accessories factory look like, and how do the workers see value in the setup? How about in community hubs, where skilled artisans can work as collectives? This is the second installment of a 2-part series about the UN’s Ethical Fashion Initiative, a flagship programme of the International Trade Centre. The EFI connects skilled artisans in places like Kenya, Mali, Burkina Faso, Haiti and Afghanistan, to the international value chain of fashion, working with the likes of Stella McCartney, Vivienne Westwood, Adidas and the Australian accessories house MIMCO. In this Episode - recorded on the ground in Nairobi, Kenya - we get to hear from the artisans themselves, and discover why Artisan Fashion now runs the organisation here as a social enterprise. And we learn how fair work can empower women - from the women themselves. This show is brought to you by MIMCO Follow them on Instagram   Follow Clare on Instagram and Twitter @mrspress Love the podcast? We have a Patreon page - every little helps! We are always grateful for ratings and reviews on iTunes. You can find us on Spotify now too.

Hello, all! Welcome to Episode 10 of Good Will Hunters! Can you believe we’re at 10 episodes?! I can’t think of a more perfect guest to mark this milestone with than the wonderful, bubbly, intelligent, hilarious Clare Press. Clare is the Sustainability Editor At Large of Australian Vogue and an absolute powerhouse in the world of ethical fashion. Our conversation is funny, timely and inspiring, for anyone who wears clothes (AKA most of us, right?!) and wants to be a more responsible consumer, and help change the world in the process. Check out the Oxfam ‘What She Makes’ Campaign here - https://whatshemakes.oxfam.org.au Asian Floor Wage Alliance - https://asia.floorwage.org Ethical Fashion Initiative - http://ethicalfashioninitiative.org To learn more about Mimco’s work with EFi, check this out - https://www.mimco.com.au/mimco-gives-back/ethical-fashion-initiative And lastly, to pre-order Clare’s fantastic new novel, go here - https://www.mup.com.au/books/rise-resist-paperback-softback Royalty free music by Bensound.

Meet Simone Cipriani, founder of the UN’s Ethical Fashion Initiative, a flagship programme of the International Trade Centre, a joint agency of the UN and World Trade Organization. The EFI connects skilled artisans in places like Kenya, Mali, Burkina Faso, Haiti and now Afghanistan, to the international value chain of fashion, working with the likes of Stella McCartney, Vivienne Westwood, Adidas and the Australian accessories house MIMCO. Simone sees luxury fashion as a vehicle for development. He talks about ethics and aesthetics and says Sweatshops and workers trapped in an endless cycle of creating cheap fast-fashion is not true fashion. Simone believes responsibly produced fashion can help change the world  for the better. Actually, he knows it can, because he started this endeavour in 2009, and nearly a decade later it's thriving and has seen thousands of people find fair and ongoing work opportunities. This is part 1 of a 2-part series. Next week, we’ll be bringing you the podcast Clare recorded in Nairobi, Kenya with the Ethical Fashion Initiative artisans. This show is brought to you by MIMCO Follow them on Instagram   Follow Clare on Instagram and Twitter @mrspress Love the podcast? We have a Patreon page - every little helps! We are always grateful for ratings and reviews on iTunes. You can find us on Spotify now too.

New Zealand designer Karen Walker is one of The Business of Fashion’s 500. Her brand sells in 42 countries, in prestigious stores like Barneys New York, and Liberty of London. She is a New York fashion week veteran, with some very famous fans. Everyone from Beyoncé and Rihanna to Scarlet Johansson, Alexa Chung, Lorde, Lena Dunham, Toast the dog, oh look everyone, wears her sunglasses. She also designs ready-to-wear, handbag, shoe and jewellery collections as well as homewares. Okay, Karen Walker is a hot brand... But what does it take to be an ethical one too? How can successful designers incorporate sustainability and social responsibility into their business models? Karen says "ethical values of responsibility, uniqueness, quality and connection, are at the heart of what we do." What does that look like on a practical level?  Karen is engaging with all these issues. She is working with Baptist World Aid Australia on their Ethical Fashion Giude, for example, and has an ongoing collaboration with the Ethical Fashion Initiative. She is highly invested in the process of producing her products and the people who make them, but also in what it means to work as a creative in fashion today, from responsibilities around supply chains to the impacts of advertising and messaging. She also has a lot to say about the deep stuff: the purpose of design. Ultimately, what is fashion for? We start off this interview talking about widening the lens on beauty and Advanced Style, we discuss beginnings - Karen started out by making a single men’s floral shirt for a musician friend when she was 18-years-old - what’s changed and what’s remained the same. And we look to the future. How can fashion designers meet tomorrow's challenges? Check out the shownotes here. Music is by Montaigne http://www.montaignemusic.com.au/ Enjoying the show? Please leave a review in iTunes. It helps other people find us. Also, we're excited to announce our new Patreon page. We're so grateful to our supporters.