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This episode originally aired on May 29, 2024. As we're prepping for season 3, we're revisiting this episode in honor of our February Collective Challenge in the Commons app: Boycott Fast Fashion. Join us!Fast fashion is cheap, but the low cost to customers comes at a high cost to garment workers, communities, and the environment. So, how do we break free from the fast fashion cycle?Second Nature is your community for practical, sustainable living. On this episode, we're commiserating with listeners over the allure of fast fashion and getting real tips to break free from it. Plus, we're doing the math on the impact of buying less fast fashion and talking to Kestrel Jenkins (journalist and host of Conscious Chatter) about the human cost of fast fashion. On this episode, you'll hear:Practical guidance from real-life, former fast fashion shopaholics. An interview with journalist and Conscious Chatter host Kestrel Jenkins about the human cost of fast fashion and how to recenter the supply chain in our buying habits. What happens when get this right? Commons CEO and founder Sanchali Seth Pal does the math on how ditching fast fashion can make a real carbon impact.
Fast fashion is cheap, but the low cost to customers comes at a high cost to garment workers, communities, and the environment. So, how do we break free from the fast fashion cycle?On this episode of Second Nature, we're commiserating with listeners over the allure of fast fashion and getting real tips to break free from it. Plus, we're doing the math on the impact of buying less fast fashion and talking to Kestrel Jenkins (journalist and host of Conscious Chatter) about the human cost of fast fashion. On this episode, you'll hear:Practical guidance from real-life, former fast fashion shopaholics. An interview with journalist and Conscious Chatter host Kestrel Jenkins about the human cost of fast fashion and how to recenter the supply chain in our buying habits. What happens when get this right? Commons CEO and founder Sanchali Seth Pal does the math on how ditching fast fashion can make a real carbon impact.
In episode 313, you'll hear from co-hosts (yes, co-hosts!) Kestrel Jenkins and Natalie Shehata in the launch of Season 7. This is also the first episode in which Kestrel and Nat showcase their new co-host dynamic. With this powerful community-driven change, they've teamed up to reimagine some aspects of the show. Here's what you can expect this season: Roundtable Discussions — featuring at least 2 guests per episode Focus On Making The Conversation More Circular — bringing more folks to the table to learn from various voices at the same time Monthly Themes — we'll hone in on a specific topic each month Bi-Weekly Episodes — expect to hear 2 episodes per month, instead of the previous 4 because, slow media :) JANUARY THEME — FAST FASHION, CONSUMPTION & WHY SELF WORK IS INTEGRAL TO CHANGEMAKING Do you remember episode 303 when we talked about slow media and telling stories through love, not labor? In our kickoff to the new season, we decided to go deeper into this love-not-labor concept – to explore what it really means and how this approach directly relates to sustainable fashion. Pulling back a little further – our focus of this show is Self Work. But what does this really mean? In general, it gets aligned with the idea of self improvement. Across the fashion media landscape and socials lately, we've seen a heightened interest in looking inward to question what you really want out of your life. Why? Well, it's the time for annual resolutions, as we just celebrated the launch of a new year. And with that – in sustainable fashion lately, there's been a lot of commentary about how things need to be reimagined across the industry, with folks voicing different approaches to achieve larger scalable transformation. At the same time, it feels like the movement needs to have a more organic approach and not be so defined or limited – because as it stands, sustainability is so different to each of us, and in order to cultivate a space that is truly diverse, we all need to be at the table to provide our unique approaches. But whether or not we're at the table, in order to take any sort of action, we need to go back to the beginning and tune into ourselves. When was the last time you questioned your values? What do you truly care about? Until we are clear on these aspects within ourselves, how can we live out these values and put them into practice? Therein lies the crux of what we break down in this week's show. Find more notes at www.ConsciousChatter.com.
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:
On this episode, we had a thought-provoking conversation with Kestrel Jenkins from Conscious Chatter. Together, we shed light on the hidden dangers of fast fashion and its potential health impacts. We discussed how the fast fashion industry often uses toxic chemicals and subjects workers to harmful conditions that go unnoticed by consumers. By listening to this episode, you'll gain valuable insights into the health risks of fast fashion and discover actionable steps you can take to make a positive impact. Join us now to explore the lesser-known side of fast fashion and learn how to become a more conscious consumer. Watch the Video podcast: https://youtu.be/KbkZa0G1obM Check out the "Conscious Chatter" website: https://consciouschatter.com/kestrel Support this podcast with a small monthly donation to help sustain future episodes: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/rarosue-amaraibi/support Read our blog: https://www.greenclubnigeria.com/blog/ Follow us on Instagram: @sustainabilitynuggets If you want to be interviewed on the channel, send an email to info@rarosueamaraibi.com or greenclubnigeria@gmail.com. #SustainabilityNuggetsPodcast #fastfashion #sustainability --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/rarosue-amaraibi/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/rarosue-amaraibi/support
In episode 280, Kestrel welcomes Nadia Bunyan, a fashion designer & the cofounder of Growing A.R.C., to the show. Growing A.R.C. is a nonprofit that creates spaces and opportunities for people to activate, reciprocate and cultivate their relationships with all beings. Through plants, material culture, and bioregional design, they are engaging in a conversation on sustainability through active participation. What started as an experiment – tossing some flax seeds into the ground in the backyard, has now led to the creation of a community-oriented nonprofit, that's using the concept of farm to closet to shift peoples' mindset on consumption; reinforcing their connection to the local environment and expanding their understanding of biodiversity to include the diversity of human perspectives, and experiences from diverse communities (because while we are trained otherwise, yes – we, humans, are also a part of nature). Nadia gives us an education on the need to try new things, to jump in without the fear of making mistakes, and to embrace those so-called *failures* along the way. As she tells us, “No expert becomes an expert without first having tried something.” With over 20 years of experience working as a fashion designer, she started growing flax – has now harvested it with other collaborators, and is working toward spinning and weaving it into linen fabric. Such a reminder that there is so much beauty that can be found through the act of stepping outside of your comfort zone and opening yourself up to learning new things. Quotes & links from the conversation: “You can plant, you can craft, you can knit, you can do what have you. But we're around each other and in those moments, we're talking. And that's the cultivation — not just of the plant, but of community. You need to put into your community, you need to support, you need to create spaces for that to happen, and you need to give space for that to grow.” -Nadia (25:38) “So, to grow the flax, it's a period of about 80-90 days, to get it to the right maturity, so that you have fiber. And that changes, depending. You can harvest the flax at different times, depending on how fine you want the flax to be. Full germination to get seeds is 100 days. So, when you take it out at 100 days, then you have the seeds, but you're gonna have a very rough kind of fiber. We've experimented with both and left some plants in a little longer so that we would have seeds for next year, and also to see how thick that fiber is going to be.” -Nadia (36:48) “How the pandemic transformed one Montrealer's relationship to her backyard and her world”, article in CBC that features Nadia Interview with Nadia on CBC, starts at around 12 minutes into the video Follow Growing A.R.C. on Facebook > Follow Nadia on Instagram > Follow Growing A.R.C. on Instagram >
In this episode, Kestrel Jenkins — host of the Conscious Chatter podcast — is sharing her thoughts on slow media. Kestrel also shares:If slow media could ever be compatible with social mediaHow algorithms impact us as content creators and content consumersHow news cycles have been speeding up — and what the impact has beenWhy podcasting is such a powerful form of mediaHow we can start to slow down our consumption (and production) of media Hit play to join this conversation on slowing down media. *****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 laundry essentials to help make your loved clothes last!***** FULL SHOW NOTES & TRANSCRIPT:https://www.consciouslifeandstyle.com/kestrel-jenkins-conscious-chatter EPISODE MENTIONED:Ep.37 The Challenges and Complexities of Being a ‘Sustainable' Influencer or Creator LINKS MENTIONED:People TreeSUSTAIN the MagThe Root Podcast: Ep.4 The Future of FashionNPR Lifekit: 4 Tips to Get Over FOMO CONNECT WITH KESTREL & CONSCIOUS CHATTER:Conscious Chatter WebsiteInstagram: @consciouschatter CONNECT WITH ELIZABETH & CONSCIOUS STYLE:WebsiteInstagramPinterest SUBSCRIBE TO THE CONSCIOUS EDIThttps://www.consciouslifeandstyle.com/edit
Welcome to the thirteenth episode of ‘The IKKIVI Podcast'. In this episode we have with us Kestrel Jenkins, host and producer of Conscious Chatter, a leading podcast that reimagines the narrative around sustainability, questions conscious consumerism, and works to deconstruct how oppressive systems impact the sustainable fashion space. On this week's show, Kestrel discusses with us the ways in which podcasts have become an intimate tool for us to connect with and learn from people all over the world, the popularity, uniqueness and impact of the audio format to share stories with each other and whether she thinks podcasts can be a business in themselves. In this conversation, she also talks about how she is going deeper into understanding the nuances around sustainability and fashion, where she sees us heading as an industry, taking the ownership to invest our time into learning something, how we can gently grow to be more mindful and sustainable, along with the resources she relies on to learn about sustainability in the industry You can follow Kestrel's work on Instagram and listen to her podcast about why what we wear matters on Conscious Chatter.
“Sustainability is synonymous with Blackness.” Sustainability is not a new concept and, despite what their seemingly ubiquitous presence in sustainability might imply, it was not created by white people. It has existed for centuries as a foundation of life for the global majority: Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC). Therefore, we must center the invaluable experiences of BIPOC in creating solutions to the biggest challenges facing the fashion industry at large. On this episode of Unspun, Dominique Drakeford, the co-founder of Sustainable Brooklyn and founder of MelaninASS, joins Lauren, Danielle and Catherine in a conversation about the regenerative and liberative frameworks needed to evolve how the industry approaches sustainability. Drakeford views this white supremacist system as operating through three main pillars: public policy, marketing, and education. As she explains on The Root, a podcast series co-produced by Drakeford and Kestrel Jenkins of Conscious Chatter, these pillars control access, perception and information, respectively. If you want to learn more about Dominique Drakeford’s journey, regenerative and liberative approaches to sustainability, and what she imagines for the future of sustainability in the fashion industry, tune in to the first episode of Unspun. You can follow her work on Instagram @sustainablebk , @dominiquedrakeford or visit her website melaninass.com.To join the conversation follow us on Instagram @wearepopulation and visit our website wearepopulation.com. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
Pod Bless Everybody! Our special guest this episode is Kestrel Jenkins, host of the amazing podcast 'Conscious Chatter'. Conscious Chatter opens the door to conversations about our clothing and the meaning and potential impact connected to what we wear. It's a venue that allows us to continue to learn more about the garment industry and how we can all be a bigger part of positive change in the world of fashion.In this interview we’re going to learn more about Kestrel, we chat about all things fashion, we get her podcasters picks and of course we get into dope show 'Conscious Chatter'. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
Green Dreamer: Sustainability and Regeneration From Ideas to Life
How can we get over perfectionism to just take action in what we want to do? How can we effectively tell the story around sustainability to keep it inclusive and engaging, so that we can grow the movement more quickly? Today, host of Conscious Chatter and Co-Founder of Left Edit, Kestrel Jenkins, shares her wisdom with us. HIGHLIGHTS: [07:25] Kestrel: “After a couple years, I burnt out… I had to step back and reassess how I was going to work in this space.” [08:35] Kestrel: “[I wanted my work to be about] bringing more people in… so we can all learn together. I wanted it to have an inclusive approach.” [10:55] Kestrel: “Often I won’t do things because I want them to be perfect, and it holds me back from actually getting over the hurdle of just starting things.” [14:15] Kaméa: “Let’s say you wanted to start something new today, and a voice is telling you it’s not good enough. How would you respond?” [19:00] Kestrel’s thoughts on what we can do to keep conversations around discouraging issues engaging. [23:35] Kestrel: “It’s not a simple story. It’s really complicated – an intricate conversation.” [24:30] How Kestrel balances staying objective as a storyteller while also expressing her opinions. SPONSOR: Kanekta.co is a digital sourcing platform connecting ethical brands and suppliers to retail buyers across the globe. Thanks for bringing your light! Find the full show notes with links and resources at www.greendreamer.com, and share your #1 takeaway from the episode tagging our featured guest and me @KameaChayne to spread the light and to let us know you're tuning in!
In episode 116, Kestrel welcomes Mara Hoffman back to the show, for an update on where the company is - when it comes to sustainability - almost 2 years later. The first time Mara came to the show (in episode 18), the company was just beginning to shift Mara Hoffman over toward a more sustainable direction. In this chat, we get a chance to understand the evolution of the company over the last couple years, in their efforts to tackle their supply chain and fabrications, with a sustainability lens. "I've been saying 'survival of the kindest' right now - this idea that people that aren't doing good things for the planet or for humanity or for any living beings (the planet as a whole), should be voted off the island." -Mara Hoffman, President & Creative Director of Mara Hoffman In this episode, Mara shares her thoughts on how far her company has come since they decided to move toward a more sustainable direction. Additionally, Mara shares some of the challenges they encounter regularly since the adjustments, from changing timelines to factor in the timing necessary for fabric development, and navigating the world of certifications. As a smaller company, Mara shares that while often, it can be challenging to not have a large amount of capital at your fingertips, she's grateful to have the freedom to make changes faster, by being independently run. For the company, they've found unique ways of getting more creative with money to make things work for them. Also, a key element for Mara is always working on their fit. She believes fit is an important aspect of becoming more sustainable, because it plays largely into the wearability + longevity of their garments. The below thoughts, ideas + organizations were brought up in this chat: Materials breakdown, on Mara Hoffman's website Nest, a partner of Mara Hoffman, helps support their artisan network Art Atlas, a partner of Mara Hoffman, Art Atlas is committed to supporting local community development and artisan independence Women's Prison Association, nonprofit Mara Hoffman supports + does a lot of work with Lower East Side Girls Club, nonprofit Mara Hoffman supports + works with "Your experiences match your feelings, and I don't think people think about that a lot." "I think with anything, when you really love what you have, you're just not craving all the other stuff." Event Alert From The Intro State Of Fashion (June 1st - July 22nd in Arnhem, Netherlands) Get Your Tickets Here >
Kestrel Jenkins is a storyteller and conscious style maven who believes fashion with ethics can jive, and maybe even thrive together. For over a decade, she's been enthralled with asking questions about where our clothes are made, what they are made of and who made them. She got her start interning with People Tree in London, and from that point on, she knew the only world she wanted to live in was one where she could embrace her style without sacrificing her values. Kestrel is the founder of the Conscious Chatter podcast, an inclusive audio space, that opens the door to conversations about our clothing and the layers of stories, meaning and potential impact connected to what we wear. It's a venue that allows us to continue to learn more about the garment industry and how we can all be a bigger part of positive change in the industry. Find Kestrel Online: Website - http://consciouschatter.com/ Facebook - @consciouschatterpodcast Instagram - @consciouschatter Twitter - @consciouschatt Some Questions I Ask: Did you escape from yourself into fashion or was it self discovery? Are the male and female gender connections to fashion changing? Are big changes happening in fashion with the main stream? How do you balance three jobs at once and put positive energy in each one? How is feeling evoked through fashion? In This Episode, You Will Learn About: Fashion and the identity connection Finding positivity through fashion Society’s view on fashion and women Changing the perspectives you’ve created based on what people wear Learning lessons from each experience you have available Music Composed by John Zarcone
Episode 00 introduces you to the cofounders of the new podcast series Addvantage, and gives you a bit of insight into what's to come this season. Addvantage is a project developed in collaboration between Helsinki Fashion Week + Conscious Chatter. Kestrel Jenkins, the host + producer of Conscious Chatter + Evelyn Mora, the founder of Helsinki Fashion Week, first connected through a conversation on Kestrel's podcast. The two quickly realized their overlapping interest to redefine the conversation around sustainable fashion. Addvantage is a space for conversations that get outside the box and challenge the way we look at the world.
In episode 104, Kestrel welcomes Margaux Rousseau, the Cofounder of WOOLN, to the show. A company that brings together talented New York grandmothers and curious shoppers, WOOLN has a supply chain of senior knitters in New York, who lovingly hand-knit each piece in their collection. "We have this community of older ladies who sometimes are a bit lonely, they usually stay home, and with WOOLN, they get together, they are part of a project, they have this feeling of belonging. You know, they are all very talented - what they do with their fingers is incredible." -Margaux Rousseau, Cofounder of WOOLN In this episode, Margaux shares more of her story and what led her to have such a kindred alignment with knitting. When it comes to relaxation, she says, "it's even better than yoga for me." Kestrel also asks Margaux about WOOLN's unique supply chain, from the animal welfare of the alpaca yarn from Peru, to "the grandmas" who knit their designs in New York City. For Margaux, it's all about looking at everyone involved in the process - from the production side to the conscious shoppers on the other side. The below thoughts, ideas + organizations were brought up in this chat: Lion Brand, biggest yarn company in the world, Margaux worked for them in the past AmyAnn Caldwell of The Good Trade (listen to our Conscious Chatter episode with her here) Recommended link from the intro: GlobeIn's Nasty Woman Box launching on International Women's Day: March 8th, 2018
The ethical fashion movement is gathering momentum! Not so long ago sustainable, ethical, eco-fashion (whatever you want to call it) was a too easily dismissed as some way-out, niche concern. Something kooky, and very possibly hairy and hemp-y, that belonged on the lunatic fringe. Well, NO LONGER. Obvs. Today sustainability is a buzz word. Everyone wants a piece of the activism action. We're in the middle of a Fashion Revolution, where the coolest, smartest most creative fashion fans are starting to ask more questions about who made their clothes, where how and from what. Fabulous fashion podcaster Kestrel Jenkins is a pioneer in this space. She's been asking these questions since she was in college (she studied global studies and international journalism), became fascinated by fair trade, then went to intern at People Tree in London. Back in the her native USA she spent time in New York working for Ecouterre. In 2016, she launched Conscious Chatter, "a podcast where what we wear matters". Since then she's produced over 75 shows, telling stories about textiles, design, supply chains and the social and eco impacts of fashion, both fast and slow. She's interviewed everyone from True Cost filmmaker Andrew Morgan to some of the serious boss people at Patagonia (and Clare Press!). Oh, and she's delightul. “I always have wanted to learn the stories behind things,” says Kestrel. Her favourite word? "Curious." In this Episode Clare and Kestrel discuss the power of the podcast as a medium, who we think is listening and why, and how we keep them tuned in. We share our perspectives on ethical and sustainable fashion, discuss how the conversation has changed since we both first joined it, and where we see it heading. "For all you changemakers out there" (that's a Kestrel catchphrase), it’s really a treat to hear how Kestrel built her world, and what makes her tick. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
What change can happen in our lives when we look at the bigger picture, especially when we look through the lens of sustainability (i.e. social, environmental & economic impacts)? When we dive into the deeper meaning[s] of life, we can, or should see how connected we all are. #BTS(behind the scenes) w/ Good Support + Conscious Chatter explores how our choices and actions impact our greater communities. We also discuss ways to start making changes to align ourselves more fully with our beliefs. We will explore all the ways we can get more activated and engaged through quarterly topics like finance, education, healthcare and more. Each episode will feature hosts Gretchen Jones and Kestrel Jenkins as they make connections and discuss how our actions speak louder than our words, through in-depth conversations w/ experts in the field, but more specifically - women slaying it in their chosen field. Join the collective, work the guides and explore how challenging ourselves to be the change we hope to see in the world means learning and living more civically engaged lives.
What change can happen in our lives when we look at the bigger picture, especially when we look through the lens of sustainability (i.e. social, environmental & economic impacts)? When we dive into the deeper meaning[s] of life, we can, or should see how connected we all are. #BTS(behind the scenes) w/ Good Support + Conscious Chatter explores how our choices and actions impact our greater communities. We also discuss ways to start making changes to align ourselves more fully with our beliefs. We will explore all the ways we can get more activated and engaged through quarterly topics like finance, education, healthcare and more. Each episode will feature hosts Gretchen Jones and Kestrel Jenkins as they make connections and discuss how our actions speak louder than our words, through in-depth conversation w/ experts in the field, but more specifically - women slaying it in their chosen field. Join the collective, work the guides and explore how challenging ourselves to be the change we hope to see in the world means learning and living more civically engaged lives.
In episode 64 of Conscious Chatter, Kestrel welcomes self-taught designer Mia Vesper to the show. While Mia may be a new name to the fashion scene, she’s turning heads left and right. From Vogue to W Magazine to Man Repeller, the big guys are taking note. A 25-year old designer, Mia brings two key elements into her eye-catching designs: reinvention and recycling. In this chat, Kestrel asks Mia about her approach to design, and how she sources the vintage tapestries that are so integral to the pieces she creates. The two discuss the idea of "having your thing" as a designer, and its importance in today's overly noisy state. Mia shares her thoughts on a conundrum she's been facing for quite some time now: to build an ethical business or to build a profitable business, and the questions she's faced with on a regular basis, when she wants to build a better brand. Also, listen to hear some entertaining stories from two fashion-driven women who have roots in Wisconsin.
In episode 63, Kestrel welcomes Arianne Engelberg, the Creative Director of The New Denim Project to the show. An innovative product line out of Iris Textiles in Guatemala, The New Denim Project makes textiles and products from upcycled pre-consumer denim waste. Arianne shares stories of the evolution of her family's factory over the years - her grandparents originally started it back in the 1950s. Also, Arianne explains more in detail the process behind the upcycled textiles they have developed, and where the waste they use comes from. In addition, Arianne addresses the way she and the New Denim Project have found creative ways to tackle their own waste from their manufacturing process, as they work to push the limits when it comes to building a closed loop company. One of Kestrel's highlights from this show was how Arianne explained that she and her team members have discovered over time, that as textile manufacturers, they actually do have a massive amount of power when it comes to helping to shift the future of the fashion industry.
In episode 62, Kestrel welcomes guests Ian Rosenberger, the founder and CEO of Thread, and Zachary Angelini, the Environmental Stewardship Manager at Timberland. Ian and Zack share some of the stories behind the Thread x Timberland collaboration, which is made of Thread’s Ground to Good™ fabric, harvested from plastic bottles littering the streets and landfills of Haiti. Kestrel also asks Zack to share his mindset on Timberland's approach to sustainability, especially considering the company's high-reaching goals for 2020, including wanting to have 100% organic, US-origin or better cotton, as well as 100% recycled, organic or renewable materials in their shoes. Finally, Kestrel asks Ian to share his insight on the microfilament issue, which now tends to arise in any conversation connected to recycled plastic fabrics. Ian's response brings light to other ways of potentially looking at this issue, from a more holistic approach.
In episode 61, Kestrel welcomes Dechel McKillian, founder of Galerie.LA and former stylist for the Black Eyed Peas and Lil Wayne to the show. They talk all things personal style and curation, and explore how sustainability fits into these approaches. With a background in psychobiology, Dechel shares her thoughts on how technology and fast fashion are influencing a general loss of personal style, and that the homogenization of culture is potentially influencing us to lose our own identities to only become "what is popular". Kestrel and Dechel also explore the importance of curation when it comes to the future of fashion. From Dechel's perspective, quality over quantity wins; she reminds us that owning your own aesthetic could potentially help you buy less and love your clothes more.
In this week's episode, Kestrel welcomes two guests to the show: Jason Kibbey, the CEO of the Sustainable Apparel Coalition and Alden Wicker, writer and founder of EcoCult. The idea for this show exploded for Kestrel after she read an article Alden wrote for Racked: “We Have No Idea How Bad Fashion Actually Is For The Environment”. It struck a chord with her -- and many other people who have been using the same unverified fact over and over again in our conversations: the global fashion industry is the 2nd most polluting industry in the world. In this chat, Jason shares his thoughts on where we are currently when it comes to determining the "impact" of the fashion industry. He highlights the reality that creating standards can be especially difficult in the fashion industry because value judgements will inevitably come into play. He also shares what The Sustainable Apparel Coalition is working on with the Higg Index. Kestrel, Jason and Alden also dive deep into the question of whether conscious consumerism can make an impact, and if so - how much. The search for analytics in the fashion industry is a constant thread throughout this conversation.
In episode 59, Kestrel had the opportunity to visit the Patagonia Headquarters in Ventura, CA to record an in-person interview with 2 key players in the Patagonia game. Helena Barbour is the Senior Director of Global Sportswear at Patagonia, and Thuy Nguyen is the Manager of Social Responsibility and Special Programs. The two have played a large role in building out Patagonia's Fair Trade initiative - in conjunction with Fair Trade USA - in recent years. In light of Fashion Revolution Day this year, and a continued hope to instigate more respect for the people who make our clothes, this chat is focused heavily on the concept and implementation of Fair Trade initiatives in the garment supply chain. Kestrel asks Thuy and Helena to share more about the evolution of the program at Patagonia, including their thoughts on where they started and where they have come. In addition, they discuss the logistics of how the Fair Trade program works, and how it has the potential to help support local communities around the world. Kestrel brings "scalability" to the table again, and Thuy and Helena provide their insight on the scalability of fair trade manufacturing, and how collaboration is key to the future success of this program. When it comes to storytelling, the three discuss how complicated it still is to bring up the sustainable fashion conversation with an inclusive, nonjudgemental approach. To close, Thuy and Helena each share their ideas on how we can continue to work on small ways of bringing a more conscious approach to what we wear.
In episode 58, Kestrel welcomes on Cynthia Powers, the Facilitating Manager of Eileen Fisher’s clothing take back program, Fisher Found, as well as Teslin Doud, who was part of Eileen Fisher’s Social Innovators Project, helping develop some of the company’s circular design components. Kestrel asks Cynthia and Teslin about Fisher Found’s origins, intention and goals. In addition, Cynthia and Teslin share more insight on the meaning behind the program’s three Rs: Reworn, Renewed, and Remade. The three also discuss the future of take back programs and what we might expect down the line. This week’s episode was sponsored by The Fourth Gentlemen, who make accessories from bamboo and cork. Why are their bamboo sunnies so amazing? Bamboo is a renewable resource and apparently one of the fastest growing plants on the planet. It’s super flexible and lightweight - often I’ve forgotten I have these shares on because they’re like a feather. They float! If you like sailing or being on the water like me, these are a great option - I’ve lost many a pair of sunglasses to the depths below over the years.
In episode 57, Kestrel welcomes Liza Moiseeva to the show. Liza is the co-founder of GlobeIn, a social business dedicated to supporting remote artisans from around the world. Their primary product is a monthly Artisan Box subscription, where every product fights poverty through job creation and fair wages. Kestrel and Liza discuss the importance of storytelling when it comes to artisan and fair trade products, and Liza shares her insight on how she thinks the "subscription box" could be changing the future of online retail. For Liza, the concept of discovery is really intriguing to her and how it can influence shoppers down the line. Kestrel addresses the question of whether subscription models are inspiring a constant flow of "more stuff" and Liza shares her thoughts on how there may be ways to find a conscious balance within the box model. People + Brands Liza Addressed During The Show: + Muhammad Yunus + Matr Boomie + Kiva + Amour Vert
In episode 56, Kestrel welcomes on Lona Alia, founder and CEO of Style Lend, an online marketplace that hosts hundreds of designer styles that users can rent for a fraction of the cost and return after a week's time. Called the "AirBnB for clothes" by TechCrunch, Style Lend is working on shaking up the online rental fashion scene by giving women access to other women's impressive closets. In this chat, Kestrel asks Lona how she addresses the difficulties of having enough inventory for renters, given that peer-to-peer models often pose a struggle in creating enough supply for the demand. In addition, she questions whether rental sites will embrace more sustainable brands down the line, being that the majority of them are built on offering "luxury, name brands" at a reduced rate for renters. Kestrel and Lona discuss the concept of buying clothing for longevity, not only for its quality, but also for its resell value.
In episode 55, Kestrel welcomes Summer Rayne Oakes to the show. Known as “the first eco model”, Summer's experiences and knowledge go far beyond her notable look. With an education focused on ecology and entomology (the study of insects), she has worked in 2 distinct realms of the sustainability conversation: food and fashion. Kestrel asks Summer for insight on what the fashion world could potentially learn from the food world, and vice versa. They discuss regenerative agriculture, the politics of slow food and fashion, and how technology may help and/or hinder the future of fashion. Another theme that resonates throughout this chat is the idea of scaling, how it's been ingrained into our culture, and why scalability has become synonymous with success. For more on Summer's current projects, you can check out her book SUGARDETOX.ME, and her website Homestead Brooklyn, which helps us become more connected to nature while living in a city.
In episode 54, Kestrel connects with Sandra Capponi, the Co-Founder & Head of Development for Good On You, an app that helps you find fashion that has a positive impact on people, the planet and animals. Nowadays, there’s literally an app for everything. In this chat, Sandra shares insight on how she believes that apps can make an impact, and how giving people access to information can empower them to make better decisions. Kestrel asks Sandra about the sharing of information and how apps can potentially work together to aggregate their information, and collaborate on pushing for change. Also, they explore further the idea of "inconvenience" that arose in episode 52 with Whitney Bauck of Fashionista, and how it affects our purchasing habits. Click here to check out more on the Good On You app, and what they're up to!
In episode 53, our first episode of Season 2, Kestrel connect with natural dye guru Kathy Hattori. As the founder of Botanical Colors, Kathy works to bring natural dyeing processes to larger scale production facilities, and also collaborates with designers on small batch dye projects. In this chat, Kathy breaks down the big differences between conventional and natural dyes, and the scaleability of the latter. Also, Kestrel and Kathy talk about "brilliance of dyes," and how this can be interpreted differently, depending on your relationship with color and its meaning. Nonylphenol ethoxylates (NPEs) are the chemicals that Kathy mentioned have extremely harmful effects. Research has shown that - when washed - NPEs are released from clothing and in turn, discharged into our waterways, where they turn into the even more toxic and hormone-disrupting chemical nonylphenol (NP). More on Greenpeace's Detox program here >
In this week's episode, Kestrel has the chance to welcome on one of her notable "Instagram-turned-real-life" connections: Whitney Bauck, an assistant editor at Fashionista. On her personal blog, Unwrinkling, Whitney explores the intersection of fashion, faith and ethics. In this chat, Whitney shares insight on what led her into the ethical fashion conversation. It's interesting to hear how she has embraced her role at Fashionista not only to write about style, but also to bring ethics, supply chains and transparency into the conversation, when relevant. Kestrel & Whitney discuss the idea of digital whistleblowers and whether digital activism can actually make an impact. Below, are some of the super cool brands Whitney mentioned she's currently loving: + Uniform + Tara + Vaquera This week's episode was sponsored by Pathways For Promise, a new recruitment initiative at AUW (Asian University for Women) which identifies talented women among current garment factory workers and provides them with the academic, financial, and professional support to earn their Bachelor's degrees and become leaders in their chosen fields. You can learn more about the Asian University for Women here >
Episode 51 | YOUTH FASHION SUMMIT + THE NEXT GENERATION
Episode 50 | THINK DIRTY + THE SEARCH FOR CLEAN BEAUTY
Episode 49 | FABSCRAP + REUSING TEXTILE WASTE
Episode 48 | PANAH + MADE IN AFRICA
Episode 47 | TIMO RISSANEN + ZERO WASTE DESIGN
Episode 46 | THREAD CARAVAN + ARTISAN ADVENTURES
Episode 45 | JASMIN MALIK CHUA, ECOUTERRE + AN INSIDER'S PERSPECTIVE
Episode 44 | ANDREW MORGAN + THE TRUE COST
Episode 43 | SOKO, VIRTUAL SUPPLY CHAINS + CONNECTIVE TECHNOLOGY
Episode 42 | SUSTAINABILITY IN THE FASHION CURRICULUM
Episode 41 | HODA KATEBI + FASHION ACTIVISM
Episode 40 | MARCI ZAROFF + FARM TO CLOSET
Episode 39 | YOUTUBE, COMPASSION FASHION + INFLUENCE
Episode 38 | EXPEDITION 196, PEACE + SUSTAINABILITY VIA TRAVEL
Episode 37 | PUSHING THE SUSTAINABLE FASHION CONVERSATION
Episode 36 | SPIRIT OF 608, TECH + THE FUTURE OF FASHION
Episode 35 | FASHIONKIND, LUXURY + SUSTAINABILITY
Episode 34 | STELA 9 + CULTURAL PRESERVATION
Episode 33 | REDRESS + WASTE LESS
Episode 32 | CHRISTY DAWN + MAKING DEADSTOCK LOVELY
Epsiode 31 | OLDERBROTHER, UNIVERSAL GARMENTS + THE PROCESS
Episode 30 | SAMATA + RED CARPET GREEN DRESS
Episode 29 | TRADLANDS + QUALITY OVER QUANTITY
Episode 28 | PIÑATEX + PINEAPPLES AS A LEATHER ALTERNATIVE
Episode 27 | STORIES, CRAFT + VALUES
Episode 26 | KNITTING IS COOL AGAIN
Episode 25 | MINDFULNESS FOR ENTREPRENEURS
Episode 24 | CELEBRATE LOCAL
Episode 23 | DIVERSITY IN FASHION
Episode 22 | RECYCLING + ECOALF
Episode 21 | CONSCIOUS BLOGGING
Episode 20 | BY HAND + THIEF & BANDIT
Episode 19 | CRADLE TO CRADLE + FASHION POSITIVE
Episode 18 | MARA HOFFMAN + MINDFULNESS
Episode 17 | TRANSPARENCY
Episode 16 | FIBER FARMING
Episode 15 | RENEWAL
Episode 14 | GIVING
Episode 13 | TINY WARDROBE
Episode 12 | NEW BUSINESS MODEL
Episode 11 | SUPPLY CHAINS
Episode 10 | COTTON
Episode 09 | HEMP
Episode 08 | FAIR TRADE
Episode 07 | FASHION REVOLUTION
Episode 06 | DESIGNER DILEMMA
Episode 05 | WASTE
Episode 04 | MADE IN USA
Episode 03 | WATER
Episode 02 | STORYTELLING
Episode 01 | INTRODUCTION