SUSTAINABILITY IN FASHION

In my early marketing career, I worked on fashion trade shows for designer and ready-to-wear labels. I experienced the birth of first fashion. My claim to fame is that I helped John Galliano set up his first exhibition stand!

I then moved on to a European menswear retailer and ran their fashion marketing across 4 countries. We had two collections a year: spring/summer and autumn/winter. Most of our clothes were manufactured in the UK or Portugal. How things have changed ...

As well as running a landscaping business with my husband when our children were young, I started to work in the ethical sector and learnt about the impact of chemicals in our everyday lives. I heard Orsola de Castro, co-founder of campaigning organisation Fashion Revolution, speak at the Ethical Consumer conference and I just had to offer to be involved. I worked in the Education Team for 4 years developing resources for teachers as well as setting up a Student Ambassador programme for universities. I then acted as Country Coordinator Liaison for a year to cover maternity leave and had the privilege of collaborating with all the country teams across the world. I also worked with the Global Coordination Team on communication and governance.

As part of my blog, I  interview Inspirational Sustainability Leaders. Read here about sourcing sustainable fashion fabrics with Emma Bottomley of Eloma Consultancy.

I have worked in the fashion industry in both B2B and B2C in mainstream and sustainable fashion. I have seen how it has changed and am old enough to remember how it used to be! I have also been active in the health and wellbeing sector. I ran a  breast health education business and offered lunchtime educational sessions to corporates. That was over 10 years ago and I was already talking to women about fabrics and the use of chemicals in cultivation, dying and finishing. As well as Fashion Revolution, I freelanced for prevention charity, Breast Cancer UK, to set up and manage their ambassador programme. I also ran the marketing for an organic and household brand, Greenscents, and have become a sustainability advocate and freelance marketing director for a number of businesses within the tourism industry.

This broad experience means that I have seen the best sustainable solutions in a number of different industries. I can share this knowledge and best practice with you.

Find out more about me

 As I have worked in the ethical arena for over 10 years, I have built up a substantial list of contacts. And if I don't have a specific contact, then I always know where to find one within the sustainable communities I am part of.