Why SLOW FASHION is the future! How conscious consumerism can save the planet

Hello, Darlings!

Welcome back, and welcome to another blog from the Future of Fashion, a place where we can magically impact the future of fashion, beauty and creativity for all living creatures.

As a regular reader of this blog, you will be aware of the damage caused by fast fashion and excessive consumerism.  There are endless headlines, articles and statements across the media space. 

Here are a few examples: 

  • WATER USAGE - The fashion industry is responsible for approximately 20% of global wastewater and consumes around 93 billion cubic metres of water annually.

  • CARBON EMISSIONS - It accounts for at least 10% of global carbon emissions, more than international flights and maritime shipping combined.

  • WASTE - It produces over 92 million tons of textile waste every year, which ends up in landfills or being incinerated.

  • MICROFIBRES - The fashion industry contributes to ocean pollution, with around 500,000 tons of microfibres released into the ocean each year from washing synthetic textiles.

  • AND - Less than 1% of clothing is recycled into new garments, with recycling limited to single-fibre options.

So what is it about SLOW FASHION and how can it help?

Firstly, slow fashion is a movement created as a counter to fast fashion.  It was not created by a single person, but advocated by many designers and brands.  One key figure associated with slow fashion is Kate Fletcher, a professor of Sustainability, Design and Fashion at the Centre for Sustainable Fashion, University of the Arts, London.  She is credited with popularising the term “slow fashion”.  Her work highlighted the need for systemic change in the fashion industry.

It is a philosophy that aligns with conscious living and awareness of our place on this planet.  An approach that focuses on sustainability, ethical production and durability in clothing.  It was created as a counter to fast fashion and, therefore, slow fashion takes the speed and drive to consume and slows it right down, encouraging consumers to be conscious and aware of their actions and behaviour.

Slow Fashion has two elements: One is the philosophy or approach, and the other is the physical garments.  

So let’s explore those two elements.

The philosophy must come first - an approach to fashion that is focused on quality, ethical practices and longevity.  It eschews trends and over-consumption in favour of having clothes for a longer time (hence the “slow”).  For this to be possible, the clothing must be of good quality.  Whereas fast fashion is created for speed, to follow a trend and to be worn only a few times.  Quality is not the priority.

Within the slow fashion movement, physical garments are better quality, longer lasting and can be recycled or upcycled.  

Clearly, if more people pursued a slow fashion philosophy and way of life, we would have reduced environmental impact, less waste, and more sustainable materials used.  We would also be more conscious of our purchasing behaviours.

On a personal note, I have developed a specific approach to dressing and consuming fashion.  It all starts with awareness, why am I buying this, do I need it?  I have been a fashion addict and bought many clothes in the past.  So how does slow fashion exist in my lifestyle?  I don’t buy fast fashion, I prefer to buy good quality items I will want to keep and wear for a long time.  I do tend to prefer natural fibres, although we have parts of life where synthetics are needed.  For these, I consider very carefully what I am buying and using.  I have upcycled a number of my clothes and I also gift or resell my clothing.  I just want to enjoy my clothes and not be compelled to chase trends through cheap clothing.

The most important consideration is to develop your own personal style and philosophy.  We are not going to stop buying clothes and we do need them.  To develop your own style, you can create a wardrobe that suits your lifestyle and makes you happy to wear those pieces.  It does not require a constant refresh of new trends from fast fashion.  It is also very valuable to address your approach to consumption.  For decades, we have been encouraged to buy more, and prices have dropped drastically to enable this.  Speed of acquisition and speed of delivery are two key factors in the consumption of fast fashion.  So buying fashion items can feel as easy as buying a coffee.      

I am not condemning anyone for their fashion choices or how they choose to spend.  I always endeavour to educate and have us be aware of the impact our choices have, especially our life on this planet.  Having awareness provides the opportunity to make good choices.  The more we educate ourselves on how we can reduce our impact and encourage good practices, I believe we can really enjoy how we consume fashion.

 Solving fashion sustainability is a huge challenge and we are very far from accomplishing that.  

However, there are ways we can encourage this journey: 

  • Understanding what a brand stands for

  • Sustainable materials and innovations

  • Local artisans and craftspeople

  • Upcycling 

  • Repairing and clothes swaps

  • Custom and handmade pieces

  • Transparent supply chains 

  • Education really makes a huge impact.

Fashion is fun and to be enjoyed.  Yet if it comes at the cost of someone who made it or an environment affected by it, then is the price too high to pay?  The more people create awareness for themselves around consumption and following the principles of slow fashion, the closer we get to creating an amazing future of fashion.

As always, have fun, love life, and enjoy fashion.

Kate xx

Ethical Vs Sustainable Fashion - What Is The Difference And Why Both Matter.

Hello, Darlings!

Welcome back, and welcome to another blog from the Future of Fashion, a place where we can magically impact the future of fashion, beauty and creativity for all living creatures.

In recent years, the fashion industry has undergone a significant transformation with more consumers becoming conscious of the impact their choices have on life on this planet and the planet itself.  Therefore, the terms “Ethical Fashion” and “Sustainable Fashion” have become widely used buzzwords.  Whilst they are often used interchangeably, they represent very different aspects of socially responsible fashion.  In this blog, we will explore the differences between “Ethical” and “Sustainable” fashion and why distinguishing them is important for informed consumer choices.

Defining Ethical Fashion

Ethical fashion primarily focuses on the human aspect of the fashion industry.  It is concerned with the fair treatment of the people involved in making the garments, from those involved in creating fabrics, dyeing, and making garments, to those people finishing and packing garments. 

Some of the key principles are:

  1. Fair Wages And Working Conditions: Ethical fashion brands ensure that their workers receive fair payment and work in safe, humane conditions.

  2. Community Impact:  Brands and businesses who distinguish themselves as ethical will support local communities by preserving local traditional craftsmanship offering employment opportunities and empowering communities.  A great example is my favourite, STELAR, which works with Balinese communities to weave beautiful bags and accessories, thus empowering the communities, and providing employment while preserving a valuable craft and tradition.

  3. Transparency: Ethical brands strive for transparency in their supply chains, allowing consumers to know how and where their clothes are made. 

There have been several human rights violations, which have been a huge cause for concern, especially the Rana Plaza incident in Dhaka in 2013.  Where an eight-storey building collapsed, due to structural failure, killing 1134 people and seriously injuring many more.  This is considered the most deadly industrial accident in the history of Bangladesh.  Amnesty International called this “The most shocking recent example of business-related human rights abuse”.  The collapse of Rana Plaza caused a major shift in the Bangladesh garment industry.  There were many protests and global outrage that lives could be wasted so carelessly.  Safety measures were immediately implemented to inspect buildings and ensure the safety of the workers employed there.  This case highlights the critical importance of ethical practices in the fashion industry.  Sadly, cases of human rights violations can be hidden from the consumers’ view.  It is easy to not be aware of ethical considerations when buying not only cheap fashion, but also luxury (consider the Dior sweatshop scandal).  Remember, if something is very cheap, it is likely that someone else is paying.

Defining Sustainable Fashion

Sustainable fashion focuses on the environmental impact and seeks to minimise the ecological footprint of clothing production.

Key principles include:

  1. Eco-Friendly Materials: Sustainable brands and businesses prioritise the use of organic, recycled or regenerative materials.  Those that have a lower environmental impact.

  2. Resource Efficiency: The implementation of practices to reduce energy and water consumption, minimise waste, use safe chemicals and decrease carbon emissions.

  3. Circular Economy: Sustainable fashion encourages recycling, upcycling and designing for longevity to reduce the need for new resources.  

Sustainable fashion has increased in both awareness and presence in the industry.  We are very used to organic cotton and recycled polyester in our clothing.  These steps forward are very positive, yet sustainable materials are often considered expensive and unnecessary.  The lack of restrictions towards oil-based materials leaves the planet with huge waste issues, massively impacting oceans, land environments and living creatures.  Future legislation will limit the use of polluting materials further.  As consumers, we need to consider the impact of the fashion we buy and wear to ensure they are not just thrown away and continue to impact the planet and its precious creatures.

 While both ethical and sustainable fashion align with creating the future of fashion as a powerful force for good in the world and for responsible consumption, they both tackle this from differing concerns.  Ethical fashion places human life at the forefront, while sustainable fashion focuses on environmental stewardship and reducing ecological harm.  Ultimately, both concerns really matter for the future of the industry and driving its integrity and impact on the planet’s future, as well as the quality of life within.  As consumers and fashion professionals, we have a responsibility to what we are involved in producing and consuming.  In summary, everything we do has an impact on the future of life on this planet.

 As always, have fun, love life, and enjoy fashion.

Kate xx

Nurturing Tomorrow’s Fashion Leaders - How We Empower Sustainable Fashion Designers Of The Future.

Hello, Darlings!

Welcome back, and welcome to another blog from the Future of Fashion, a place where we can magically impact the future of fashion, beauty and creativity for all living creatures.
Recently, I’ve spent time with the new generation of graduates and undergrads discussing their futures, dreams and aspirations.  What came up so often, were the challenges as a future designer or business person in sustainability.  How difficult it is to be noticed; to get the first job opportunity (many of which have to be unpaid).  They asked how to really establish themselves in the fashion industry.  They’ve worked so hard to gain a qualification, and now it seems harder to move forward.

If I look back at my own journey through education to a successful career in fashion, I also remember those worrying and somewhat faithless days.  So in this blog, we will explore what I wish my fashion fairy godmother could have done for me, and how to nurture the aspiring designers of the future.  So let’s dig in and have some fun.

The fashion industry currently stands at a transformative crossroads as environmental concerns, increasingly grow the demand for sustainable practices.  To grow with them, emerging designers and designers for the future, hold the power to shape a new era of conscious fashion, driven by social and environmental innovation and responsibility.  

As a sustainable designer or brand creator, there are many pathways to the future of fashion.  Let’s say you have completed a fashion degree with knowledge in sustainability and see the ways the industry needs to transform, ask the critical question “How can I do that?”.  The future of fashion is a holistic one, where designers require more skills than creativity and design ability.  Those additional skills and knowledge include materials knowledge, human rights compliance, circularity, green energy, water, and waste - to name a few.  

  • ADD TO YOUR SKILLS: To make yourself valuable for brands (or ultimately for yourself), ask this question and take an inventory of your current knowledge and ability.  Where are the gaps, and what can you do to fill them?  Now, we have access to many digital courses, YouTube educators, industry experts and communities to educate us in profoundly valuable ways.  Sign up for industry-leading magazines such as Teen Vogue. 
    And remember - we have a Free Fashionable Futures Community on SKOOL, which you can Join here.  This is where you have access to endless valuable education and an amazing group of people. 

  • MODEL ON OTHERS: Glean inspiration from trailblazers in sustainable fashion, discover how they have combined creativity with eco-innovation and make their visions a reality.  These can include smaller craft-related brands right up to the likes of Gabriella Hearst and Stella McCartney, look at how they made their way to success and find your own path to model them.

  • COMMUNITIES: As we spoke about earlier, there are many digital communities for sustainable fashion.  In most cities, there are also physical communities, including NGOs and Charities, where you can gather information and network with valuable people in the industry.  The Fashionable Futures Skool community provides access to a community from all over the world with sustainable brands, founders, designers, marketers suppliers, and innovators.  The information and network available to you within this community is extremely invaluable.

  • COLLABORATIONS: Connect with some like-minded designers or brands and look at ways to innovate a product or service.  If you’re a designer, offer your services to an existing sustainable brand in an innovative way.  One that will benefit both of you to create a product or service which has real value in the industry in a new and sustainable way.  You have no idea where this could lead to.  It gives you an opportunity to make profound connections, gain credibility, and learn valuable lessons endorsed by somebody already established.  It’s also a great way to have some fun through collaboration.

  • EXPERT VOICE: establish yourself as an expert in the industry or a key opinion leader.  You could start a YouTube channel, or Instagram account or be active on LinkedIn (as I do). Certainly, you will have to learn more and more things as you move through the process of gaining credibility and building your audience.  From this, the opportunities for the future are endless.  You can also collaborate with other creators on social media platforms. You could create a course that you sell,  build your own community, and really contribute to the future of fashion in your own unique way.

On a personal note, I remember this time. I started a brand as a new graduate.  It was very difficult, and I felt very isolated.  I didn’t know where I could sell.  I received so many “nos” and “are you crazy” comments.  But I persisted and kept being true to what I believed was important for me and my journey.  One of the biggest lessons I learned, was to connect with others, especially when it felt uncomfortable.  To go beyond your limitations, to explore the world is an adventurous journey.   Whilst you can do a lot of things at home in your room, the world is an exciting place filled with extraordinary people and ideas.  So let’s make this future of fashion exactly that adventurous, exciting and fulfilling for all.

In summary, it may seem daunting to start a career as a new graduate or student.  So much to face, so much uncertainty, and yet so much opportunity.  Let’s transform the future of fashion together. Review the insights in this newsletter and take your next critical steps on your journey to the future of the industry.  We are all stewards of tomorrow’s fashion landscape.  Let’s make it a fulfilling and caring future.

As always, have fun, love life, and enjoy fashion.

Kate xx

The Power Of Having A Business Coach For The Success Of Your Brand Or Business

Hello, Darlings!

Welcome back, and welcome to another blog from the Future of Fashion, a place where we can magically impact the future of fashion, beauty and creativity for all living creatures.

Last week we talked about success and how to achieve it, especially as it relates to your fashion brand or business.  This week, we are looking at an extraordinary way to encourage your success, which is engaging a Business Coach.  

At times, we all feel STUCK in business and life.  It feels like no matter what we do, all the effort and action doesn’t make any difference.  Does this sound familiar?  This is exactly why we engage with a business coach.  A coach, at the very least, provides a different perspective from your “stuck” one 

Engaging with a business coach, similar to working with a personal trainer, has become very popular in these competitive times.  One of the primary benefits of having a coach is that you have someone “on your side”.  You have someone who is committed to your success; they will be your partner and guide in you achieving it.  

Another key benefit is that a good coach will make you take personal accountability for achieving something in your life and business.  As humans, we are not always reliable to do what we need to do to achieve the things we say we want to achieve.  Even if we know exactly what we need to do to make something happen, we don’t always do those things.  We get distracted, bored or we don’t feel like doing it.  A good coach will see that and call us out on this disruptive or avoidant behaviour and ensure we get back on track to achieve what we set out to.

On a personal note, I have engaged business coaches for the past 15 years.  I am a manic seeker, always looking for ways to be more effective, successful and capable.  Always looking for an edge.  Maybe I have an addiction to consulting experts.  I have engaged personal trainers for years, too!  However, I am clear I have achieved so many things I would not have without a business coach.  

I will give you a few examples which I am so proud of.

  1. I left a job I hated and created a business and career I love.

  2. Increased my income several times in an extraordinary and fun way!

  3. I became an artist, had several exhibitions and sold my work globally.

  4. I transformed my relationship with my husband and created amazing adventures, deep love and connection.

  5. I have built courses and created an online community. 

These are only a few examples of what I accomplished by engaging a business coach.  It is not only the examples of accomplishments or the accomplishments themselves, it is how I have fundamentally shifted my perspective on achievement or success.  This shift of perspective is knowing that I can create my own success and achievements.  I can do anything I choose to do and make it happen.  When I get stuck, I ask my business coach to come at my stuckness from another angle.  I then go on to take new actions, which give me different results and get me closer to the results I want.   

So far, we have discussed how valuable employing a business coach is.  Yet, there are limitations or concerns to finding a suitable coach.  Let’s look at these.

  • It costs money to have a coach.  Yes, true, no question.  Yet, what would be the cost of not having one?  Certainly, in my experience, I have made more money, and been happier and more fulfilled than I would without a coach. This is priceless. 

  • Which coach to hire?  This is a very important question and subject to address.  You need someone who has achieved what you want to achieve.  Someone who is a step ahead of where you are and a step closer to where you want to be.  It’s best if they have already achieved it.

  • Coaching style.  Always find someone who can coach you in a way that will have you take action.  I once had a coach whose coaching style did not suit me, I felt like I was being yelled at, which had me just want to leave the session.  I appreciate a straightforward style, but has me feeling powerful and capable - this works for me.

 So how do you get the actual results?  

There are so many ways to achieve the goals and outcomes you set.  From my own experience, I’d like to share two key ways that work for me. 

  1. Creating the outcomes for the coming year.  This is a powerful process that takes place at the end of a year, as we look ahead to the coming year.  We create our key goals for the upcoming year and keep track of them during each coaching session.

  2. Coaching - A perfect tool for when you are Stuck.  Having a powerful conversation to make you understand your point of view is holding you back and then having you create a breakthrough to power.

 In summary, a business coach is a powerful way to propel you to success in life and business.  After having the experience of working with a coach, I have actively taken on coaching others.  I started in a personal development programme, where I coached the members, and have subsequently acted as a business coach.  After all, one of my greatest commitments is to have people become successful and fulfilled in business and life.  To be the most powerful and fulfilled version of themselves.

What would you want from a business coach?

As always, have fun, love life, and enjoy fashion.

Kate xx

What Is Success and How To Achieve It.

Hello, Darlings!

 Welcome back, and welcome to another blog from the Future of Fashion, a place where we can magically impact the future of fashion, beauty and creativity for all living creatures.

This week I want to discuss something slightly different.  A few days ago, I listened to BoF’s Imran Ahmed interviewing Alessandro Michele (formerly Gucci Creative Director and currently at Valentino).  They talked about success, firstly as it related to Michele’s success at Gucci.  Michele brushed off that he had been hugely successful, that he was so focused on his work at the time, he did not notice.  He also spoke about how polarised his “success” was in the early days.  There were many haters in the early days.  His style was, at that point, so new and different; it must have challenged people’s view of beauty.  He also talked about how he had achieved all he wanted, in fashion terms, during his tenure at Gucci.  He could have done many things outside of fashion, maybe make a movie, etc.  Yet, he chose to take the extraordinary opportunity to express his view of beauty at Valentino, that the new era at Valentino is something of a bonus for him.  Not a need to prove anything, but another journey in creativity.  Clearly, Alessandro will experience huge success at Valentino, his creations so far have been stunning.  Yet he is not being driven to be successful to prove something.  We will refer to Michele’s view of success later in this blog. 

This had me thinking about success.  It is something I have been crazy about for as long as I can remember.  I am not sure why I have been.  Maybe growing up in a place where nothing was a given in the North East of England during the miners’ strike and the end of industry in that area.  I had to be successful, there was no choice.  I would go on to do anything I could to be “my version” of success.  Relentless. 

Let’s ask the obvious question - “What is success”?

SUCCESS as Oxford Dictionary defines it: 

  • The accomplishment of an aim or purpose. "There is a thin line between success and failure"

  • The good or bad outcome of an undertaking

  • The good or ill success of their maritime enterprises

 Or as Albert Schweitzer so eloquently states: “Success is not the key to happiness.  Happiness is the key to success.” 

This quote is very apt for the earlier reference to Alessandro Michele.  Yet not necessarily how I experienced my own success, until recently.

Success is something different to different people.  For some, it means financial security - this is something I would consider as success.  Yet, when I have financial success, I also can feel a lack of success in other areas of life.  Probably due to the focus on work and finance, I neglect or ignore important areas of life such as creativity, love and connection.  Others may see personal happiness or career as being successful.  

Cultural differences are also present in what is success.  As are personal preferences.  I know people who think success is when they are relaxed and chilled in life.  I know others who only experience success when they are working excessively.  So, as we can see, success is not something solid or easy to define it is a varied concept.  It is a personal experience and one which is fleeting and somewhat ephemeral.  So how do we measure success?  It cannot be measured, as an entity in itself, only by what it produces (e.g. money).  Even so, there are tangible and intangible versions of success. Money (as formerly mentioned) and happiness - totally intangible.

We drive ourselves crazy to be successful, to appear to be successful, to be seen as successful, to be known as successful.  Yet, I would question if any of these appearances of success really provide the absolute sense of the success we seek.

 There are so many myths about success.

  • Money = Success: The one we all know so well.  We all know many people (including ourselves perhaps) who have money and don’t feel successful.

  • Success as a Destination: There is no final place called “success”.  We can drive ourselves crazy in pushing to the inevitable destination, missing the joys of the journey and the joys in life.

  • Overnight Success: recently this has been debunked by many online influencers.  The so-called overnight success is usually 10-15 years of hard work and failures.  

Clearly, there are many keys and roads to success.  There is so much information available on how to be successful.  We must all know how to do it.  

Let’s explore:

  • Mindset for success: So many influencers and spiritual leaders provide endless content on this

  • Goal Setting and focus

  • Ongoing learning: Constantly learning from materials and life experiences

  • Personal development: coaches, mentors, masterminds and courses

  • Hard work and perseverance

  • Flexibility in challenges: the ability to try, fail, pivot and start again

The practical ways to achieve success are all available to us.  So why are many people still struggling with success?  The answer to this question is complex, nuanced and very personal.  

Let’s consider some answers here:

  • Some of us are unwilling to do what it takes to be an Alessandro Michele

  • Some of us have children and families.  It is not possible (or at least this is how we see it)

  • We did not have the opportunity to work in luxury fashion.  Not born in Italy - like Michele

  • Not talented enough.

To summarise: from this exploration of success, something has become clear to me. 
Success is a personal game. 
For myself, I have shifted my focus from being successful - which in my terms is being driven - to being fulfilled.  Fulfilled in my terms is to feel good about my work, and my progress, I have peace of mind and it is something I can impact myself.  I am not looking for outside confirmation to confirm my fulfilment or success.  The insight I gleaned from Alessandro was beautiful.  When we have nothing to prove and are acting from our own creative contribution as a service, we can truly experience success.

To make this an even more valuable experience, I am giving you these very important questions below.

  • What does success mean for you?

  • Without external recognition, what would success mean for you?  

  • How would you experience success as a tangible result and as a feeling?  

  • What does fulfilment mean for you?

  • What are the steps for you to experience fulfilment right now?

  • What have you been successful in and are successful in right now?

  • Be clear - this is a journey and not a destination.  Enjoy the journey!

As always, have fun, love life, and enjoy fashion.

Kate xx