Conscious Chatter

In episode 75, Kestrel welcomes Executive Director of The C&A Foundation, Leslie Johnston, to the show. The C&A Foundation is a corporate foundation pushing to transform the fashion industry.

From Leslie's perspective, the big way to push the needle when it comes to the fashion industry, is through a business to business play. While customer education is key, Leslie believes that the brands, retailers and manufacturers really need to step up and act differently. And as she acknowledges, within the industry, these players have been stepping it up in recent years.

Leslie shares insight on how currently, the data from supply chains is living in a collection of separate silos. One of the ways that the C&A Foundation is working to collaborate with others in the industry is by finding ways to accurately aggregate the information, so people can access it. One of the partners they are working on this project with is SourceMap.

Throughout this conversation, Leslie brings up several organizations and initiatives that the C&A Foundation is working with on some capacity. These are outlined below:

• Organic Cotton Accelerator
• New Foresight
• Sumangali Scheme + Bonded Labor in India
• Labor Link + Labor Voices: allow C&A and others to hear directly from workers, with realtime supply chain data
• Global Fund For Women
• Thomson Reuters
• Forum For The Future

In episode 74, Kestrel welcomes Tim Scott, the cofounder and CEO of Mitscoots Outfitters to the show. An Austin based clothing company, Mitscoots Outfitters is on a mission to outfit & employ the homeless.

In this chat, Tim shares some of his story, how he learned more about the homeless population in Austin, and what really led him to launch Mitscoots. Also, Kestrel asks Tim about his thoughts on how the 1for1 model has evolved since it first gained speed through the Toms shoes approach.

For Tim, when it comes to making an impact, it's all about working together with partners that are highly knowledgable and skilled in particular areas. As he says, "I don't ever think an organization or company can entirely solve a problem on their own."

For Tim, it's about collaboration, and working with other partners simultaneously to fill those gaps, so the entirely of the problem can be eventually addressed.

• Mobile Loaves & Fishes: a mobile food & clothing truck for the homeless, that Tim has volunteered with in the past; he realized how quickly they would run out of clothing, and decided there was a need for Mitscoots

In episode 73, Kestrel welcomes Céline Semaan Vernon, the CEO of Slow Factory to the show. Slow Factory is a mission-driven independent fashion label & lab that creates beautiful accessories, clothes and jewelry while directly supporting environmental and humanitarian causes. All work is fair-trade and manufactured with eco-friendly ink and fabrics.

Throughout this chat, Céline shares insight into what fashion activism means to her, and why buzz words aren't enough in pushing for change in the fashion industry. She also shares her thoughts on the open web - unfiltered/unorganized information - and how she is an open web actovate.

Kestrel asks Céline about her creative process and what inspires her collections. Céline explains that leaving her annual collections somewhat open-ended allows for more of an ability to react in a creative way to political or cultural situations that arise.

"You can't be creative in a vacuum ... well, you can but then you're completely disconnected from what's happening."

Below are a list of other ideas, blog posts or organizations that were discussed throughout this chat:

• Overview effect
• Fashion Activism (Céline's Wikipedia entry)
• Read "Fair Trade Is Not Enough" on Slow Factory
• Read "Open Web" on Slow Factory
• ANERA
• Are We There Yet? #WeAreHome Documentary -> You can watch here!

In episode 72, Kestrel welcomes Isadora Alvarez, the creator of Back Beat Rags, to the show. Isadora created her company as a reaction to some of the negative experiences she had working for an off-price retailer in LA. She created her business - Back Beat Rags - in a way that was the total opposite of the previous company she worked for. Isadora specializes in making what she calls: "low impact goods".

Throughout this chat, Isadora walks us through the process of creating her garments via her super local supply chain, and how much she loves having close relationships with the people who make her clothes. She also shares insight on building a sustainable fashion brand with affordability in mind.

Tune in to hear tips on how to build a sustainable brand with lower price points in mind, and to hear how Isadora thinks people are "shying away from fast fashion".

Eco Warrior Princess is a media company that's pushing to change the way we perceive sustainability. Not only does founder Jennifer Nini rock some killer style, but she's also bringing fresh ideas to the sustainability conversation. Check out everything I'm gushing about here: http://ecowarriorprincess.net/

In episode 71, Kestrel welcomes Gordon Seabury, the CEO of Toad&Co to the show. An outdoor industry lifestyle brand, Toad&Co has a bold mission: "To lead with integrity and weave optimism into everything they do; To create meaningful change through socially and environmentally smart business; and To inspire people to live their fullest lives". Toad&Co has a motto: "Dirty is the new clean. Wear more. Wash less." Studies suggest that 58% of the energy and 45% of the water that goes into a garment happens post-purchase, so we recommend that you wear your clothing multiple times before washing to save on both natural resources and prolong its life. -Toad&Co Throughout this chat, Gordon shares insight on how Toad&Co approaches the triple bottom line, when it comes to their materials and the manufacturing throughout their supply chain. In 1997, Toad&Co cofounded Planet Access Company (PAC) to positively change the lives of adults with developmental disabilities by providing them with job training and work opportunities. Gordon explains how this project has evolved over the years, and led to the creation of the Outdoor Access for All Tour in 2016. In collaboration with the National Park Foundation and Wilderness Inquiry, Toad&Co helped get 1,000 adults with disabilities into national parks in 2016. For Gordon and Toad&Co, people are simply integral to building a business not only their customers, but their employees as well can feel proud to be part of. Fabrics Gordon + Toad&Co have said NO to: Rayon Acrylic Bamboo Resources / Companies Gordon mentioned: Renewal Workshop: Listen to our episode with their cofounder Nicole Bassett. Planet Access Company: a social enterprise that ships hundreds of thousands of products each year, including those of Toad&Co. Along the way, adults with disabilities ensure items are stored, packaged and shipped properly.

In episode 70, Kestrel welcomes Linn Frisinger, cofounder of Swedish Stockings to the show. Swedish Stockings produces beautiful pantyhose from 90-98% recycled nylon yarn.

Each year, two billion pairs of tights are produced, worn a few times, and then discarded.

After being inspired by the documentary The Lightbulb Conspiracy, Linn and her cofounder Nadja Forsberg set out to find a better solution for the hosiery industry. In this chat, Kestrel asks Linn about the approach Swedish Stockings has to sustainability and zero waste in their supply chain, as well as their Recycling Club, which addresses the end of life of pantyhose.

Linn also acknowledges the impact that nylon has on our oceans and microplastics issue; she shares how Swedish Stockings is developing a new yarn composed of upcycled plastic from the ocean. When it comes to being able to recycle elastane, Linn believes a solution is close, and hopes we will see one in the near future.

Details on material composition: Nylon: a man-made polyamide, derived from petrochemicals (a thermoplastic); nylon is not biodegradable and contributes to microplastic pollution in the ocean. Elastane: a synthetic materials, scientifically described as a thermoplastic polyurethane elastomeric fiber; elastane cannot be easily separated from other materials, due to the way it shifts when heated. Currently, a solution has not been found to recycle fabrics with mixed compositions including spandex.

Resources Linn mentioned: The Lightbulb Conspiracy: documentary on planned obsolescence & Other Stories: offers a beauty and textiles recycling program, a brand under the H&M Group FAIR TRADE FASHION SHOW TICKETS A fashion show for activists! This unique fundraiser uses fashion as a platform for education and awareness around the realities of modern slavery as well as a space to celebrate the power of everyday purchases to support freedom. Hosted by Bead and Reel, the event will benefit nonprofit Free The Slaves. Kestrel will be moderating the pre-show panel hosted by EcoSessions, which includes: Hoda Katebi of JooJoo Azad, Mike Farid of Nature USA and Jeff Denby of Renewal Workshop. The event will take place in Los Angeles on July 29th, 2017. Get your tickets here!

In episode 69 of Conscious Chatter, Kestrel welcomes Alex van Os, eco stylist and founder of Op Shop To Runway to the show. Alex is an Australian Red Cross Op Shop Ambassador and a fashion & TV stylist on a mission: to help people realize that having killer style doesn't mean you have to kill the earth in the process. For her, second hand doesn't mean second best!

Stat from the introduction, found via Elizabeth Cline, author of Overdressed: Every single minute Americans toss out 47,564 pounds of unwanted clothing and textiles (that's enough to fill three olympic size pools).

In this chat, Kestrel asks Alex about her background, and how she found herself engulfed in pushing for a less wasteful fashion industry. They also discuss the challenges / balance of working as a mainstream stylist (to make money) + partnering with influencers to bring the sustainable conversation further into the mainstream.

Tune in for Alex's key second hand shopping + styling tricks at 00:24:50 of the episode.

Another really interesting element that arose in this conversation is the idea of heirlooms, and how with the influence of fast fashion, there's a big question of what our generation will pass down to future children, family or friends, when so many things today are built to fall apart or wear out after a few washings. Listen to this part at 00:30:55.

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.

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.

In episode 68, Kestrel welcomes Clare Press, the author of Wardrobe Crisis: How We Went From Sunday Best to Fast Fashion, to the show. Clare is Marie Claire Australia's fashion editor-at-large, and Daily Life's Sustainable Style columnist. Clare is a big-time advocate for responsible fashion and sits on the Australian advisory board of Fashion Revolution.

Clare shares her story, and how she feels like what we wear says a lot about what we want to say to the world. For her, we have truly lost our connection with our clothing, and that's part of what's leading us into this "wardrobe crisis".