Stay ConnectedWhat will it really take to create a more sustainable and equitable future for fashion? Each week, hosts Elizabeth Joy and Stella Hertantyo interview fashion changemakers — from labor activists to slow fashion entrepreneurs — to explore this very question. Hear about topics like greenwashing, garment worker rights, consumer psychology, secondhand fashion, making the most of your closet, and more.
For more, visit consciouslifeandstyle.com and follow @consciousstyle on Instagram.
Copyright: © 2021-23, Conscious Life & Style, LLC
In this special short series, Conscious Questions, Stella and Elizabeth dive into some of the most talked about and ask questions in the sustainable fashion space. Today, we're talking about a big one: overconsumption.
There were 100 billion items of clothing produced in 2014, according to the Ellen MacArthur Foundation. But that was before the rise of ultra fast fashion giants like Shein. So that number is likely much larger today!
And global fiber production increased to a record 113 million tonnes last year, according to the Textile Exchange. That figure has almost doubled in the last 20 years and is expected to further increase to 149 million tons by 2030. Yikes!
So who or what is to "blame" for this rapid rise of overconsumption and overproduction? We're sharing some perspectives in this episode.
*****
READ THE TRANSCRIPT
https://conscious-style-podcast.simplecast.com/episodes/72-whats-driving-overconsumption-in-fashion
RESOURCES MENTIONED:
CONNECT WITH CONSCIOUS STYLE:
📧Newsletter: https://www.consciouslifeandstyle.com/edit
🌐Website: consciouslifeandstyle.com
📸 Instagram: @consciousstyle
📹 YouTube: @consciouslifeandstyle
📌 Pinterest: @consciouslifeandstyle
Is slow fashion always more expensive? Do you really have to spend more money to be part of the slow fashion movement?
What goes into the price of a responsibly made garment? And are expensive, luxury fashion brands more sustainable or ethical?
There is a lot to unpack in part 4 of our Conscious Question Series, so hit play and dive in!
*****
READ THE TRANSCRIPT
https://conscious-style-podcast.simplecast.com/episodes/71-is-slow-fashion-more-expensive
RESOURCES MENTIONED:
CONNECT WITH CONSCIOUS STYLE:
📧Newsletter: https://www.consciouslifeandstyle.com/edit
🌐Website: consciouslifeandstyle.com
📸 Instagram: @consciousstyle
📹 YouTube: @consciouslifeandstyle
📌 Pinterest: @consciouslifeandstyle
So you've learned about the issues in the fashion industry, become passionate about slow fashion, and want your friends and family to join the movement too.
But how do you talk to your friends or family or anyone in your life about slow fashion without feeling like you're sounding judgmental or critical?
It's a tough balance — but in today's episode Stella and I are sharing some tips and talking about our experiences for what's worked — and what hasn't!
***
ARTICLE VERSION:
https://www.consciouslifeandstyle.com/how-to-talk-about-sustainable-fashion/
TRANSCRIPT:
RESOURCES MENTIONED:
CONNECT WITH CONSCIOUS STYLE:
📧Newsletter: https://www.consciouslifeandstyle.com/edit
🌐Website: consciouslifeandstyle.com
📸 Instagram: @consciousstyle
📹 YouTube: @consciouslifeandstyle
📌 Pinterest: @consciouslifeandstyle
In this Conscious Question episode, Stella and I dive into if fast fashion resale programs are really circular or just greenwashing (and why we think so), how can we tell if a fashion brand's resale program is a genuinely sustainable effort, and what some red flags are to look out for.
Hit play to dive in!
***
ARTICLE VERSION:
https://www.consciouslifeandstyle.com/fast-fashion-resale/
TRANSCRIPT:
***
RESOURCES MENTIONED:
CONNECT WITH CONSCIOUS STYLE:
SUBSCRIBE TO THE CONSCIOUS EDIT:
Can fast fashion brands ever be sustainable? If someone is going to buy from fast fashion, is it better to shop from these conscious or eco-capsule collections? And what is the deal with fast fashion's sustainability ambassadors?
Should minor improvements from Big Fashion brands still be celebrated since these brands have such a large impact, footprint, and huge buying power?
And when we're trying to make better choices, how can we tell if a fashion brand is greenwashing?
Hit play to hear Stella and Elizabeth's perspectives on fast fashion's sustainability efforts.
*****
ARTICLE VERSION:
https://www.consciouslifeandstyle.com/can-fast-fashion-be-sustainable/
TRANSCRIPT:
RESOURCES MENTIONED:
CONNECT WITH CONSCIOUS STYLE:
SUBSCRIBE TO THE NEWSLETTER:
The more the sustainability market grows, the more we see greenwashing.
Greenwashing is basically, when a company puts forth a false or exaggerated impression or completely misleading impression about how their products or their practices are environmentally friendly.
We know fast fashion brands are notorious for greenwashing. But today's episode with Milos Vranes of Green Eco Dream is a broader take on greenwashing that applies to more beyond fashion.
Hit play to hear Milos and my takes on how to spot and avoid greenwashing.
FULL SHOW NOTES & TRANSCRIPT:
https://www.consciouslifeandstyle.com/tips-to-spot-greenwashing/
CONNECT WITH GREEN ECO DREAM:
EPISODES MENTIONED:
CONNECT WITH ELIZABETH & CONSCIOUS STYLE:
SUBSCRIBE TO THE CONSCIOUS EDIT
Can Big Fashion — fashion with a capital F — ever exist without exploitation of the planet and the humans and other living beings on it?
The more we dive into Fashion's perils, and how deep rooted these issues are, the more unlikely this seems.
In this episode, four members of Fashion Act Now — Sara Arnold, Sandra Niessen, Sam Weir, and Cindi Clark — are joining us to explain why they believe that we need to dismantle, decentralize, monolithic Fashion system and what kind of clothing systems could take its place.
Join us in this season finale of this podcast.
*****
This episode was brought to you by Green Eco Dream, a sustainably-minded marketplace with eco-conscious alternatives for your health, home, beauty, and on-the-go needs.
*****
FULL SHOW NOTES & TRANSCRIPT:
https://www.consciouslifeandstyle.com/fashion-act-now
RESOURCES MENTIONED:
CONNECT WITH FASHION ACT NOW:
CONNECT WITH ELIZABETH & CONSCIOUS STYLE:
SUBSCRIBE TO THE CONSCIOUS EDIT
We know that we need to dramatically slow down fashion. And this season of the podcast has been dedicated to exploring just how we might do that. But what happens to the people who make our clothes?
Stella Hertantyo is back in the host seat to explore this topic with Mousumi Sarangi, Fair Wear Foundation's Country Manager in India and the Regional Coordinator of Gender.
Fair Wear Foundation is a nonprofit organization and multi-stakeholder initiative, connecting factories, workers, trade unions, NGOs, brands, and other fashion industry influencers.
There's a lot to unpack in this episode — hit play and let's get into this layered discussion.
*****
This episode was brought to you by Green Eco Dream, a sustainably-minded marketplace with eco-conscious alternatives for your health, home, beauty, and on-the-go needs.
*****
FULL SHOW NOTES & TRANSCRIPT:
https://www.consciouslifeandstyle.com/fair-wear-foundation
LINKS MENTIONED:
CONNECT WITH ELIZABETH & CONSCIOUS STYLE:
SUBSCRIBE TO THE CONSCIOUS EDIT
Jasmin Malik Chua, Sourcing and Labor Editor at Sourcing Journal, joins us to discuss the role that journalists can play a role in sorting out the greenwashing and moving the needle forward on the sustainable fashion conversation. Jasmin also shares how the narrative around sustainability in fashion has shifted dramatically in recent years, if recycled polyester is truly "circular", how the rapid pace of media is impacting journalists, and so much more.
*****
This episode was brought to you by Green Eco Dream, a sustainably-minded marketplace with eco-conscious alternatives for your health, home, beauty, and on-the-go needs.
*****
FULL SHOW NOTES & TRANSCRIPT:
https://www.consciouslifeandstyle.com/jasmin-malik-chua
RESOURCES MENTIONED:
EPISODE MENTIONED:
CONNECT WITH JASMIN:
CONNECT WITH ELIZABETH & CONSCIOUS STYLE:
SUBSCRIBE TO THE CONSCIOUS EDIT
Know that it's okay to grow slow — in fact in might even be better for you or your business in the long term. Here's why.
*This was a last minute episode so we didn't have time to put together the transcript before publishing as we normally do! Please contact us if you would like a transcription of this episode.
CONNECT WITH CONSCIOUS STYLE:
SUBSCRIBE TO THE CONSCIOUS EDIT
Our TOPPODCAST Picks 
