According to a Guardian article written in 2017, 100 companies are responsible for 71% of global emissions. Topping that list of companies are fossil fuel companies. Over the past few years, conversations around which global actors are the biggest culprits of the climate crisis have increased - slowly moving the narrative from individual actions like recycling and living sustainably to mitigate climate change to holding the biggest culprits like fossil fuel companies accountable for their above-average contribution to the destruction of our planet and human livelihoods. Despite all this, individual action is essential. In this episode, I give three reasons why I believe individuals/consumers should still make changes to live greener lifestyles even if they are not the biggest and definitely not the only culprits of climate change. Let's dig in. 

Fernanda Simon is the Director of Fashion Revolution Brazil, as well as Sustainability Editor of Vogue Brazil. The movement now brings together thousands of people passionate about seeing change in the industry in the country and beyond. Fernanda is an empathetic powerhouse and I love this conversation with her. We talk about her spiritual transformation that led to her passion for bringing forth a new fashion industry to her current role as Vogue Brazil Sustainability Editor, as well as the important part that the indigenous people of Brazil play in the future of the country, the environmental and economical impact of fast fashion and more...we cover it all in this inspiring conversation. Listen for yourself.

In this episode, I start by sharing my current heightened state of eco-anxiety post the publication of the IPCC report, how I cope with it and some key resources we can all use to tackle the climate crisis together. 

I then dive into tips around 5 Indications that a brand/company has authentic ethical & sustainable practices. It's a greenwashing minefield out there these days and these 5 tips I picked up along the way have helped me identify the brands I should engage with and support versus the ones to avoid and hold accountable for their actions. 

Resources mentioned in the episode: 

Earth Rise Studio: https://www.earthrise.studio/

#stopcambo: https://linktr.ee/StopCambo

Paid To Pollute Campaign: https://paidtopollute.org.uk/?ltclid=1984a11a-9233-468a-83ba-f467c5f0578f

In this episode, I’m talking to Shakaila Forbes-Bell a Fashion Psychologist and founder of the Fashion is Psychology platform based in London. You may be wondering, what is Fashion Psychology? Simply put the clothes we wear impact the way we live our lives, Fashion Psychology is the research and study of that impact. Shaikaila and I chat about what exactly fashion psychology is and how this up and coming field can transform how we relate to our clothes, be it as a brand or as a consumer. Fashion psychology is about the journey we go on with our clothes in our lifetime, and how wielding their power positively can be transformative for us as individuals and as a society at large.  Shakaila shares some deeply emotional journeys with her clothes, and about how her profession is seeing a rebirth for the better.

This episode, I chat to Helene Lucas, one of the key initiators of Panafrica shoes. She takes me through the incredible origin story of the brand and how the amazing shoes are uniquely made ethically and consciously across Africa- from Ivory Coast to Morroco, they are proof that Made in Africa can truly embody sustainable and ethical practices that take into account economical and environmental impact of production. Have a listen!

Esha Ahmed, founder of fabulous sustainable and ethical brand Ominana is the definition of #bosslady.  Omi Na-Na is authentic, cool and flaunts stunning statement dresses. We talk about how her Indian heritage shaped her journey into sustainable fashion and inspired the craftsmanship behind her brand. The at-times hidden realities of garment workers in India and the lack of representation of people from that part of the world in sustainable and ethical fashion and so much more. Enjoy!

It's not often that we hear conversations about sustainable fashion in Africa. On this first-ever interview episode, I am joined by Belinda Smetana a Kenyan sustainable fashion blogger based in Prague and Tumi Monare, a South African education activist who is also passionate about sustainable fashion. Together we discuss growing up knowing exactly who made our clothes because that is the African way, the state of the Amazon forest due to farming and our best practices as three black women navigating the sustainable and ethical fashion space. I hope you enjoy their unique perspectives. 

Disclaimer, this episode was recorded during the turmoil of the #endsars movement in Nigeria. We of course touch on this and stand in solidarity with our Nigerian brothers and sisters.