Irina sits down with Filip Westerlund, the CEO and visionary behind OUR CHOICE fashion, in today's episode. Filip is a Swedish national who, in pre-COVID times, split his time between Sweden and Luxembourg, where he is finishing his master's degree in psychology from the University of Luxembourg. 

 

As a psychology student, Filip has an in-depth understanding of consumer motivations and behaviors. That, coupled with his desire to clean up plastic waste found in the oceans, particularly on the beaches of his hometown, was the catalyst behind the launch of OUR CHOICE Fashion. The company just ended a very successful Kickstarter campaign where they launched the world’s first circular sneaker. 

 

The fashion industry is one of the largest polluters worldwide. Filip’s goal is to change how we source and manufacture products. Many brands promote vegan or eco-friendly sneakers predominantly made of plastic while also charging the consumer up to 70% more for low-quality products. It’s hurting our planet but also hurting our wallets. The mission of OUR CHOICE is to educate consumers on the circular economy and sustainable fashion.

 

Irina and Filip discuss how COVID has impacted the sustainable supply chain and how that might impact promises brands have made to consumers. They also discuss how brands can maintain full transparency to their end buyers and their supply chain.