Championing African Brands In A Western Market With Akojo Market

Are you a sustainable brand owner, looking to fast track your success? Or are you an ethical consumer, eager to understand how brands make and bring you their amazing products. Lucy speaks to Shannon Lohr, Founder of Ethical Fashion Accelerator Factory 45 to find out why sustainable brands are the future.

In a male dominated industry like diamonds, women were often surprisingly sidelined when it came to the stones that were marketed to them. Things have changed and now women are being appointed to head up the largest mining companies in the world. We talk diamonds and sustainability with Raluca Anghel from Natural Diamond Council.

Do you give much thought to the lifecycle of a cotton bud? Many of us didn't, but now they are banned in the UK, we are faced with the truth behind our single use plastic habit. Lucy speaks to LastObject Co Founder Isabel Aagaard to find out about the future of reusables.

Garment workers are historically underpaid and undervalued. Birdsong is doing things differently. The London based fashion label was co founded by Sophie Slater who speaks to Lucy in this episode about the role the sexism and racism play in the unfair treatment of garment workers.

There is a fine line between cultural appropriation and awareness and appreciation. Akojo Market are amplifying the voices of African artisans and ethical brands to give them access to a lucrative Western market. With one fundamental goal, to put the brands in control. We meet co founder Natasha Buchler to find out more.

Style With Substance partnered with Sustainable fashion concept store The Maiyet Collective for this panel discussion with three of their brands. Lucy speaks to Arkitaip, To The Fairest and Taylor Yates about Creating Positive Impact through their brands.

In this special bonus episode Lucy speaks to the inspiring Noëlla Coursaris Musunka, model and philanthropist and creator of the Malaika school for girls, and CEO of Hurr Victoria Prew. Their collaboration is fostering female friendships and empowering young girls.

In honour of Wool Week we spoke to a long term partner, Finisterre. The Cornish based company is proud to be a B Corp and to create long lasting, sustainable clothing. We discover the qualities of wool and Debbie tells us the story of a flock of sheep, near extinction that they helped to bring back from the brink.

Using slow production methods and sourcing locally are both ways that fashion brands can become more sustainable. Hanna Fiedler has both of these processes sewn into the DNA of her brand. We spoke to her about her considered approach, and utilising all the fabrics that the UK has to offer.

Natural fibres are arguably a very sustainable option, however in some cases this isn't always true. Linen however is grown, harvested and produced with as little impact as possible. We learnt more when we chatted to Arkitaip Co Founder Lea Wieser about the secrets of linen and why it's good for our skin as well as our planet.