Common Threads

What does it mean to be an 'ethical influencer'? In this episode, we chat with Besma Whayeb, sustainable fashion and lifestyle blogger at Curiously Conscious, and founder of the Ethical Influencers network.

Besma shared with us her feelings about influencers’ role in the ethical fashion conversation, the issues of the Instagram echo chamber, and how we can all use our social media platforms for social change. 

Visit the Curiously Conscious website and follow Besma on Instagram and Twitter. You can also find out more about the Ethical Influencers Network through its website and Instagram. 

Here are some of our other favourite ethical influencers, as mentioned in this conversation:

For more updates on the ethical fashion conversation, follow Common Threads on Instagram, like us on Facebook, and join the conversation on Twitter. Buy us a virtual coffee here.

You’ll find Ruth on Instagram: @ruthmacgilp_ and Twitter: @ruthmacgilp

You’ll find Alice on Instagram: @styledbyalicex and Twitter: @styledbyalice

We’re back for series two, with writer Lauren Bravo as our first guest. As the author of ‘How to Break up with Fast Fashion’, Lauren chats to us about her personal journey to a more sustainable wardrobe, as well as actionable tips for people looking to quit fast fashion for good.

Follow Lauren on Twitter and Instagram, and purchase her book via all good bookstores. Remember to support independent retailers when you can!

Here are the links we mention in the episode:

For more updates on the ethical fashion conversation, follow Common Threads on Instagram, like us on Facebook, and join the conversation on Twitter. Buy us a virtual coffee here.

You’ll find Ruth on Instagram: @ruthmacgilp_ and Twitter @ruthmacgilp

You’ll find Alice on Instagram: @styledbyalicex and Twitter: @styledbyalice

It's the final episode of series one of Common Threads! In this solo episode, Ruth and Alice explain why changing the fashion system isn't the responsibility of individuals, and that it's OK to be 'imperfectly ethical' on our quest to become more conscious consumers. We're taking a break until October 2020, when we'll be back with more brilliant guests and new topics to explore. 

Here are some of our top resources to continue your ethical fashion education.

Podcasts: Articles of Interest, Yikes Podcast, Eco Curious, So Hot Right Now, Pre Loved Podcast, Conscious Chatter, Giving a Fuck is the New Black

Today we're exploring the topic of vintage fashion. With enough clothing already on the planet to last six generations, we look at how wearing old clothes is the future, and why supporting vintage brands is a feminist issue. We also welcome two brilliant vintage shop owners to chat with us about why consumers should get on board with the retro revolution. 

First up is Lapoze MacTribouy from Sooki Sooki Vintage who highlights the need for size diversity if vintage is to be a sustainable solution. Then we speak to Rachel Valentine from Strange Ray Vintage about the power of building a brand, and what role vintage leather has in saving the planet.

You can find out more about Ruth's work by visiting her website and newsletter. You’ll also find Ruth on Instagram: @ruthmacgilp__ and Twitter @ruthmacgilp,

Learn more about Alice's styling services by visiting her website, or follow her on Instagram: @styledbyalicex and Twitter: @styledbyalice.  

For more updates on the ethical fashion conversation, follow Common Threads on Instagram, like us on Facebook, and join the conversation on Twitter. Buy us a virtual coffee here.

Fashion is racist and fatphobic, and these tropes are bleeding into the world of 'ethical' fashion too. In this episode, we chat with Ronke Fashola, founder of Love Ur Look Clothing, about her experiences of racism in the industry, how brands can do more than performative allyship, and why moving beyond fashion diversity towards actual representation is essential.

For more updates on the ethical fashion conversation, follow Common Threads on Instagram, like us on Facebook, and join the conversation on Twitter. You can support the show by buying us a virtual coffee.

You’ll find Ruth on Instagram: @ruthmacgilp_ and Twitter @ruthmacgilp

You’ll find Alice on Instagram: @styledbyalicex and Twitter: @styledbyalice

In this episode we're joined by climate justice, refugee rights and anti-racism activist Mikaela Loach to talk about intersectional activism within sustainable fashion. We explore the interconnectedness of social justice and sustainability, the marginalised people left out of the fashion conversation, and the importance of system change over lifestyle change. Follow Mikaela on Instagram, support her Patreon, and listen to the Yikes Podcast to learn more about the issues she covers in the conversation.  

You’ll find Ruth on Instagram: @ruthmacgilp_ and Twitter @ruthmacgilp

You’ll find Alice on Instagram: @styledbyalicex and Twitter: @styledbyalice

During lockdown, thousands of us have been clearing out our wardrobes and flocking to resale sites like Depop. But building a great platform as a seller is harder than it looks. In this episode, Depop Top Seller Lauranne Borgeaux from 5th Season Vintage shares her top insider tips for making sales on the platform and explains why secondhand is not second best.

For more updates on the ethical fashion conversation, follow Common Threads on Instagram, like us on Facebook, and join the conversation on Twitter. Buy us a virtual coffee here.

You’ll find Ruth on Instagram: @ruthmacgilp_ and Twitter @ruthmacgilp

You’ll find Alice on Instagram: @styledbyalicex and Twitter: @styledbyalice

Rental fashion is often cited as THE solution to fashion circularity. But with the colossal environmental impact of dry cleaning, the lack of inclusivity, and consumers' deep-rooted attitude to ownership, we're asking: is rental all it's cracked up to be? In this episode we chat to Eshita Kabra-Davies, the founder of By Rotation, to find out more about the rental fashion model.

For more updates on the ethical fashion conversation, follow Common Threads on Instagram, like us on Facebook, and join the conversation on Twitter. Buy us a virtual coffee here.

You’ll find Ruth on Instagram: @ruthmacgilp_ and Twitter @ruthmacgilp

You’ll find Alice on Instagram: @styledbyalicex and Twitter: @styledbyalice

As many of us try to live more consciously, vegan diets and vegan fashion are more popular than ever. But does vegan always mean sustainable? Is all vegan leather just plastic? And how can vegan shoppers balance animals, people and the planet? We also interview Cat Anderson, owner of Edinburgh vegan clothing boutique Treen.

For more updates on the ethical fashion conversation, follow Common Threads on Instagram, like us on Facebook, and join the conversation on Twitter. Buy us a virtual coffee here.

You’ll find Ruth on Instagram: @ruthmacgilp_ and Twitter @ruthmacgilp

You’ll find Alice on Instagram: @styledbyalicex and Twitter: @styledbyalice

As Fashion Weeks around the world are replaced by digital events due to Covid 19, we're asking: is the catwalk dead? In this solo episode, we chat about what's wrong with fashion weeks from a sustainable standpoint, our personal experience of both digital and physical events, the class of 2020 fashion graduates, and why designers want to rewire the traditional fashion system. ⁣

For more updates on the ethical fashion conversation, follow Common Threads on Instagram, like us on Facebook, and join the conversation on Twitter. Buy us a virtual coffee here.

You’ll find Ruth on Instagram: @ruthmacgilp_ and Twitter @ruthmacgilp

You’ll find Alice on Instagram: @styledbyalicex and Twitter: @styledbyalice