Conscious Chatter

In episode 115, Kestrel welcomes Tomide Awe, the founder of Olori, to the show. A handbag line that incorporates traditional African textiles into modern designs, Olori was built with an intention to help women become actively involved in solving women-interest issues, especially with regard to education.

"It's not about just donating money - we are not a charity organization, this is not a charitable affair for us. We are on a mission to build this network of future empowered women, and we wanted to ensure that the girls feel the full effect of every dollar that we spend." -Tomide Awe, Founder of Olori

In this episode, Tomide shares more about her journey, and how growing up in Nigeria helped her realize the impact an education can have on women's lives. According to UNESCO, a girl in Nigeria has a 73% chance of not going to school. For Tomide, her mom helped to ensure she was able to get an education, and now she has multiple degrees. She wants to pay that forward to help give other young girls the opportunity to learn, grow and build their own future.

With each Olori bag purchased, a girl receives one month of education, in coordination with Olori's giving partner Bridge International Academies. One powerful element of Tomide's company is she's not just a charity and/or a business with a giving model. Instead, she has built a supply chain that supports women throughout the backstory of her products as well.

The below thoughts, ideas + organizations were brought up in this chat:

• Wharton, university where Tomide studied and received her Master's degree
• "Nigeria is a country where a girl has a 73% chance of not going to school at all, according to UNESCO"
• "About 9.5 million girls will never step foot in a school, compared to about 5 million boys [in Africa]."
• "UNICEF says that mothers that have had some education are more than twice as likely to send their own children to school."
• Bridge International Academies, Olori's nonprofit giving partner
• Olori actually means "queen" in Tomide's language - the Yuruba language of Nigeria
• Aso-oke: textiles used to make Olori's bags
• "We strongly believe that when women support women, incredible things happen."

GIVEAWAY ALERT

Conscious Chatter has partnered with IndieGetup for a Conscious Closet Giveaway! Featuring a line up of $850 worth of sustainable + ethically-sourced brands, you could win badass pieces from Krochet Kids, Bluer Denim, Patara Shoes, Indosole, Bewildher + more!

ENTER TO WIN A CONSCIOUS CLOSET HERE >

In episode 114, Kestrel welcomes Emily Katz, the founder of Modern Macrame, to the show. An artist, designer, business owner, and teacher, Emily also just released her new book Modern Macrame, which showcases 33 stylish projects for your handmade home.

"For the most part, if you're interested in craft and you have some knowledge of it, it's pretty easy to pick up. And, I think that because there's this low entry, it creates a lot of relaxation for people. In this hectic world that we live in where everything is at the speed of light and we're all accessible all the time, I think that macrame has this beautiful tactile quality that you can bring into your home." -Emily Katz, Founder + Author of Modern Macrame

In this episode, Emily shares her unique journey into macrame, and how while she was always interested in making things (from fiber art to clothing to embroidery), she didn't actually learn how to macrame until she was in her 30s. For Emily, learning to do macrame was part of a powerful reconnection with her mom.

Additionally, Emily shares insight into the incredible story behind the rope that she offers on Modern Macrame, which is made in a factory in Turkey that supports Syrian refugee women.

The below thoughts, ideas + organizations were brought up in this chat:

• Bonnie Heart Clyde, Emily's former fashion label
• Emily Katz Eco Collections, past solo label
• Emily Katz, past fashion lines + art
• Rope for macrame, available via Modern Macrame
• Refuge Design x Emily Katz Project
• UNDP on Supporting Syrians + the region, conference Emily attended in Turkey w/ Ray Boyle of Refugee Design was hosted by the UNDP
• Modern Macrame, Emily's new book
• Modern Macrame Book Tour
• For A Strawless Ocean

Event Alert From The IntroState Of Fashion (June 1st - July 22nd in Arnhem, Netherlands) Get Your Tickets Here >

In episode 113, Kestrel welcomes Lawrence Lenihan, the CEO of Resonance, to the show. A venture operating company, Resonance partners with brands to enable them to build a fashion business that is as beautiful as their creative vision.

"WHAT WE'RE DOING IS WE'RE RETHINKING. THIS WHOLE INDUSTRY WAS BUILT ON THE IDEA THAT YOU MAKE MANY - LOTS AND LOTS - BIG RUNS ... WE'RE ACTUALLY GOING COMPLETELY THE OPPOSITE. RATHER THAN HAVING FEWER STYLES OVER MORE AND MORE UNITS, OUR WHOLE ARCHITECTURE IS: HOW DO WE MAKE ONE UNIT AS EFFICIENTLY AS A THOUSAND?" -LAWRENCE LENIHAN, FOUNDER OF RESONANCE

In this episode, Kestrel asks Lawrence to talk more about how Resonance intends to fuse the worlds of art and commerce, when so often they tend to resist each other. For Resonance, it's about bringing business and art together, but allowing art to be the driving force.

Lawrence shares more about how fast Resonance can move their brand partners' designs from inception to customer doorstep - in less than nine days. Kestrel and Lawrence explore whether this new infrastructure Resonance is building is "speeding things up" or just shifting the model to allow the designer to have more control.

Additionally, Kestrel asks Lawrence to elaborate more on this idea that "creation is discontinuity," which is a foundational element of Resonance's approach.

The below thoughts, ideas + organizations were brought up in this chat:

• Resonance's Art vs Commerce Video
• "We have sold 20,000 units with 2,000 different styles."
• "The interesting thing about fashion is that it is the thing that is touching you physically, and it represents where you are, where you think you stand, where you belong. And, that expression of "where I belong" is a current expression of conditions in the environment in which I live, and that's why i think this is a really, really critical thing."
• Plausible deniability: "the ability of people (typically senior officials in a formal or informal chain of command) to deny knowledge of or responsibility for any damnable actions committed by others in an organizational hierarchy because of a lack of evidence that can confirm their participation, even if they were personally involved in or at least willfully ignorant of the actions"

GIVEAWAY ALERT

Conscious Chatter has partnered with IndieGetup for a Conscious Closet Giveaway! Featuring a line up of $850 worth of sustainable + ethically-sourced brands, you could win badass pieces from Krochet Kids, Bluer Denim, Patara Shoes, Indosole, Bewildher + more!

ENTER TO WIN A CONSCIOUS CLOSET HERE >

In episode 112, Kestrel welcomes Sarah Holley Gonzales, the owner + creator of neo•thread, to the show. An Albuquerque-based brand, neo•thread is dedicated to transforming discarded clothing into fresh, one-of-a-kind pieces.

"It was actually my Dad that taught me how to sew when I was little. And, even greater than how to work a machine, he taught me how to find beauty in the resources available - specifically, things that people would discard." -Sarah Holley Gonzales, founder of neo•thread

In this episode, Sarah shares more about what inspired her to build neo•thread, and how she took the leap from a "real job" to pursuing her dream job. Also, Sarah tells a powerful story about how her Dad taught her to sew + be resourceful as a child, and how that has influenced the way she values used things.

While neo•thread's branding approach is that "cool girls care," it was surprising to learn that Sarah's shoppers aren't generally sustainably or ethically minded when they make their first purchase with her. For these shoppers, connecting with neo•thread has given them the opportunity to learn more about the realities of the fashion industry, and get educated about the issues.

The below thoughts, ideas + organizations were brought up in this chat:

• "Our culture is all about before + afters ... whether it's fitness or home decor ... whatever it is, we're all about before + afters, so people really attach to that and they love that."
• "People hear upcycling and they think old and tired, and I want to be the exact opposite of that. I want to be youth, fun, celebratory - it's gotta be new life - neo•thread is all about new life."
• "Just because something's cheap, does not mean you should buy it."
• "We don't understand that a lot of times when we buy cheap, we aren't being resourceful."
• Conscious Chatter Episode with Cotopaxi: listen here >

Sponsor: This Conscious Chatter episode is brought to you by GlobeIn. **Use promo code CONSCIOUSCHATTER for 25% OFF your first Artisan Box with any Premium Artisan Box subscription.

In episode 111, Kestrel welcomes Aditi Mayer, the creative behind ADIMAY, to the show. Aditi explores the crossroads of artistic expression and social action on ADIMAY, and has a focus on style, sustainability, and social politics.

"I think the way we look at sustainable fashion now - it's been a response. So, sustainable fashion exists because the industry is inherently broken, and we could argue that fast fashion has profited off the normalization of exploitation. As we go forward, I think if we work toward a more just industry, that's inherently going to change the definition of sustainability too. It's tied with change, it's tied with being critical about how the industry currently stands - so, that's a reflection of who we are as individuals, but also where we stand in larger systems." -Aditi Mayer, founder of ADIMAY

In this episode, Aditi shares a bit of her personal backstory, and how she became interested in photography as a form of escapism, and then fused it with her interests in style and sustainability. She shares a powerful experience from the first "sustainable fashion event" she attended, and how it revealed to her a lot of realities of race, class and privilege in the industry.

"I definitely realized that fashion at large is really a microcosm of larger systems of inequality."

Kestrel and Aditi explore three articles in particular, that are featured on ADIMAY, that speak to: ethics vs aesthetics, women of color's representation (and lack of) in sustainable fashion, and the rise of the activist tee.

The below thoughts, ideas + organizations were brought up in this chat:

• Poverty Porn + the Western Savior Complex, explored more in Aditi's article, "Western Savior Complex In Artisan Led Fashion"
• "Making Sustainable Sexy Do We Market Aesthetics or Ethics?", article from ADIMAY
• Dominique Drakeford + Melanin & Sustainable Style, listen to our our show with Dominique here >
• "Women Of Color In Sustainable Fashion: Why The Stakes Are Higher", article from ADIMAY
• "The Movement, Commodified: The Rise Of (Pseudo) Activism", article from ADIMAY

Sponsor: This Conscious Chatter episode is brought to you by GlobeIn. **Use promo code CONSCIOUSCHATTER for 25% OFF your first Artisan Box with any Premium Artisan Box subscription.

In episode 110, Kestrel welcomes Rafik Riad, the founder of the Buy Good Feel Good Expo, to the show. Canada's only show bringing together socially- and environmentally-driven businesses, Buy Good Feel Good aspires to make ethical consumption the norm, inspiring all businesses to operate for the common good.

"Social enterprises so far are not playing the role they can play towards eradicating poverty, promoting social justice and advancing environmental stewardship. " -Rafik Riad, founder of the Buy Good Feel Good Expo

In this episode, Rafik shares a powerful story about how he got the opportunity to spend time in the garbage collector's community in Cairo, Egypt as a child. The impact this experience had on Rafik opened his eyes to social justice from an early age, and still influences the work he does today.

With the slogan of "businesses that change the world", Rafik and his team are working to build the Buy Good Feel Good Expo into a space to truly help young socially conscious brands get access to brands and shoppers that are looking for them. Rafik gives us an understanding of what the Expo is really like, and some of the stories behind the brands and products that will be showcased there this year.

The below thoughts, ideas + organizations were brought up in this chat:

• Cairo's Garbage Collector's Community
• African Bronze Honey Company (company working with 10K beekeepers in Zambiam featured at the Expo)
• Roota (organization that works with the garbage collectors in Cairo, featured at the Expo)
• Mata Traders (Fair Trade dress company featured at the Expo)
• Tenfed (every item = ten meals, featured a the Expo)
• Buy Good Feel Good Expo 2018: May 11th-13th in Toronto

Sponsor: This Conscious Chatter episode is brought to you by GlobeIn. **Use promo code CONSCIOUSCHATTER for 25% OFF your first Artisan Box with any Premium Artisan Box subscription.

In episode 109, Kestrel welcomes actor and model Brooklyn Decker, and former ABC & CNN anchor Whitney Casey to show. The cofounders of FINERY, Brooklyn + Whitney have built the world's first wardrobe operating system that reinvents how women view and interact with their closets, and style themselves.

"Women will spend more money on their clothing than their education [in their lifetime]." -Brooklyn Decker, cofounder of Finery

In this episode, Brooklyn and Whitney share a bit about how they ended up building a company focused on fashion - turns out, for both of them, it wasn't really the fashion industry that drew them in. Instead, they were interested in helping women's lives become a bit easier.

Additionally, Brooklyn and Whitney share some of their thoughts on where they hope to take Finery in the future. It looks like not only is helping women utilize what's in their closet a priority, but also, helping women find ways to put the clothes they aren't using back into the system.

The below thoughts, ideas + organizations were brought up in this chat:

• Mint, Slice, Tripit: apps that also help simplify your life
• "On average, women only wear 20% of their wardrobe."
• "Half a trillion dollars worth of clothes are hanging unworn in our closets."
• "A detailed survey of almost 2,000 women aged over 16 found that most fashion purchases see the light of day just seven times." (stat Kestrel mentioned - was featured in Daily Mail in 2015)
• "We're not trying to say, 'Don't buy anything.' We are trying to make you really optimize what you have." - from the below article in Business of Fashion
• "Finery Aims to Succeed Where Other Virtual Closets Have Not", article from Business of Fashion
• The RealReal, Vestiaire, thredUP, Tradesy (secondhand platforms mentioned)
• Explore more about FINERY here >

Recommended Artist From The Intro: Mona Chalabi (found via Brother Vellies)

In episode 108, Kestrel welcomes two key players at G-Star RAW to the show - Adriana Galijasevic, their Denim and Sustainability Expert, as well as Frouke Bruinsma, corporate responsibility director at G-Star RAW. A condition for doing business at G-Star RAW today, sustainability has been formally built into the company's framework since 2006.

"SUSTAINABILITY HAS BEEN A CONDITION FOR DOING BUSINESS AND IT'S A CONSTANT WORK IN PROGRESS, SO WE ARE ALWAYS LOOKING FOR THE NEXT SUSTAINABLE INNOVATION AND ALWAYS STRIVING TO SURPASS OUR LATEST SUSTAINABLE ACHIEVEMENTS." -ADRIANA GALIJASEVIC, G-STAR RAW'S DENIM + SUSTAINABILITY EXPERT

In this episode, Kestrel asks Adriana + Frouke to share their personal experience with sustainability, as well as the background story G-Star RAW has connected to sustainability. In 2012, G-Star RAW took their sustainable capsule and decided to expand that concept and apply it to their entire line. Since then, sustainability has been a condition for doing business and it's a constant work in progress.

Adriana + Frouke also share a very in-depth and detailed account of the layers of sustainability + circularity that were integrated into the design and manufacturing process behind The Most Sustainable Jeans Ever. As Adriana explains, The Most Sustainable Jeans Ever are a culmination of all of the sustainability work G-Star RAW has been doing formally since 2006; the team developed this project using a holistic approach, and a sustainable lens on every step of the process.

The denim fabric used in this project was certified Gold level by Cradle to Cradle, and one of the most powerful elements of this collection is that G-Star RAW has created open-source access to their sustainable denim fabric-development processes through C2C's Fashion Positive Materials Collection.

The below thoughts, ideas + organizations were brought up in this chat:

• "Cradle To Cradle: Remaking The Way We Make Things", book that impacted Adriana's interest in sustainability
• "If You Care About Ethical Fashion, It's Time To Stop Sleeping On G-Star RAW", article by Whitney Bauck in Fashionista
• Some of the issues with denim manufacturing historically when it comes to sustainability: + The indigo and the use of sodium hydrosulfites + Cotton and its water-intensive nature as a crop + throughout the denim manufacturing process
• DyStar®, partner G-Star RAW worked with to develop the cleanest indigo technology for their most sustainable jeans (the process uses 70% less chemicals + 15% less indigo, it doesn't require any hydrosulfites and it produces no salt byproduct in the reduction or the dyeing process)
• Artistic Milliners, partner G-Star RAW worked with in the development of their fabric for the most sustainable jeans
• Saitex, where G-Star produces - "basically the beacon of sustainable manufacturing"
• Bangladesh Accord, one of the first ways the industry started working together to collaborate
• Renewed Denim, new product launching in stores in May (jeans made with upcycled yarns from recycled G-Star RAW jeans)
• EarthColors, launched in November 2017 (in collaboration with Archroma, naturally-dyed jeans, colored with traceable dyestuff derived from recycled plants and nutshells)
• Lena Library, a Fashion Library in Amsterdam where you can "check out" or lease garments

Recommended Reading From Intro:"Fonts, Colors, Layouts Impact Whether Customers Will Buy From Your Website" via The Fashion Law

In episode 107, Kestrel welcomes Leah Kirpalani, a certified holistic health coach & the founder of Shop Good, to the show. An online platform as well as freestanding store in San Diego, Shop Good offers clean beauty products for the ultimate healthy lifestyle.

"We absorb 65% of what we put on our body." -Leah Kirpalani, founder of Shop Good

In this episode, Leah shares stories from her past experiences with a chronic illness that led her into exploring holistic health and natural beauty products. She reminds us that everyone has a distinct body, and there's not one solution that will work well for us all.

Leah also shares some of her favorite wellness hacks - ways to bring mindfulness into your daily routine without having to add more things to your to-do list.

The below thoughts, ideas + organizations were brought up in this chat:

• Leah's Basic Framework For A Healthy Lifestyle: 1) Simplify 2) Get Sleep 3) Drink A Ton Of Water 4) Move Your Body 5) Be Mindful About What Your Body Needs 6) What We Put In And On Our Body Matters
• "There's over 20,000 chemicals introduced into our food systems annually these days ... and we as women are placing up to 500 chemicals on our bodies during our beauty routines."
• "We absorb 65% of what we put on our body."
• Wellness Hacks (shortcuts, tips + tricks to integrate into our lives) One that Leah loves: Keep eucalyptus oil in the shower: put a few drops in your hands, place them around you nose/mouth, and take 5 deep belly breaths.
• Shop Good's Foundational Skincare Line: Botnia (the founder is based in Sausalito and grows almost 75% of all of the ingredients in the products in her own backyard)
• Some of Leah's favorite makeup products: TMF (Leah's favorite lipstick) Alima Pure Satin Matte Foundation Lily Lolo Mascara
• Toners: use right after cleansing - they help rebalance the pH in our skin

Suggested Product From The Intro "Botnia is where it's at. When I first started using 4 of their products (daily face wash, fix zit face mask, toner & hydrating serum), I was skeptical, because my skin was in such a bad spot. But, these babies work, and I've been beyond pleasantly surprised with the results." -Kestrel's insight after using Botnia in her skincare routine for the last month. Find the products at Shop Good here >

In episode 106, Kestrel welcomes Sarah Corbett, founder of the Craftivist Collective, to the show. An inclusive group of people committed to using thoughtful, beautiful crafted works to help themselves and encourage others be the positive change they wish to see in the world, the Craftivist Collective has built a global movement.

Sarah recently released a new book, called How To Be A Craftivist: The Art Of Gentle Protest.

"It's about intriguing people in to open their hearts and minds about an issue, rather than forcing your opinion or preaching to people." -Sarah Corbett, Founder of The Craftivist Collective

In this episode, Sarah shares her thoughts on "the art of gentle protest" and how craftivism can be a powerful tool for her, being an introvert, as it allows her to maintain energy and stay activated. She is also careful to note that craft is not the answer to every activist's scenario, and that activism always comes first, with craft being one of the tools to utilize when it makes sense.

Kestrel and Sarah also discuss the unique underlying power of crafting, in how it slows us down, and allows us to think more strategically and with more attention to detail. Sarah sheds light on the distinct way that working with your hands in a group (and not having eye contact) can actually work in everyone's advantage to open up deeper, more challenging conversations.

The below thoughts, ideas + organizations were brought up in this chat:

• How To Be A Craftivist: The Art Of Gentle Protest (Sarah's new book)
• "Craftivism" the word was originally coined in 2003 by writer Betsy Greer
• A Craftivist's Manifesto by the Craftivist Collective
• Liberty, an organization that help campaigners campaign legally
• Ethical Trade Initiative, companies can sign onto it but it isn't a binding agreement
• Labour Behind The Label, a charity that campaigns for garment workers' rights worldwide
• Craftivist Collective Kits
• "Shop Dropping" as featured in the Huffington Post
• ShareAction, campaign organization Sarah worked with on a project to get 50,000 staff paid the living wage
• Lush, cosmetic company that Sarah is working on a project with
• "Activism has to be strategic to be effective - otherwise, it's just screaming in the wind."
• Women's Institute in the UK
• Fashion Revolution, Sarah does a lot of collaborating with them / listen to our show with their cofounder Orsola de Castro here >
• Kate Sheridan, made in UK denim that Sarah mentioned