Conscious Fashion Isn't a Trend —It's a Movement. From Burnout to Belonging Part 2
- Britta Cabanos
- 4 days ago
- 8 min read
🌿 Part of the Fashioning Wellness Series; From Burnout to Belonging. Part 1: From Burnout to Belonging: The Truth about the Fashion Industry & What Led Me to Inside Fashion Design
From an early age, I was drawn to both creativity and consciousness—long before those were buzzwords. My mom, a talented seamstress & crafter, taught me to sew and create with my hands. I made my own clothes, chose my fabrics, and dreamed of models walking the runway while standing in small-town fabric shops in Minnesota. My dad was a Professor & Environmentalist, who recycled before anyone else did—back when it was seen as 'hippie & granola,' and not the norm. These early influences laid the foundation for my journey in fashion and sustainability, a journey that I continue to embark on today.
I was very into Art, went to art camp, and was always drawing and practicing painting. My best and favorite class in school was Art. I remember telling my parents one day, "I'm going to be an artist!" I'm sure I scared my parents, as they knew I would most likely end up a starving artist for most of my life.
My first experience with fashion was during my time in the Girl Scouts. I was a very tomboyish person and had no interest in fashion, but I have a vivid memory of a fashion show our Girl Scout troop participated in. I was asked to model (I must have been 12 or so). I had no idea of runways or "modeling," but I agreed. And guess what I modeled? A wedding dress made from old lace curtains! Vail, train, and all! I was so amused that the dress was made of curtains....brilliant, I thought!
I became aware of fashion, got my first issue of Seventeen Magazine, and started learning about the industry. I first wanted to be a model, since that was my only experience in fashion....what young girl doesn't? I pursued modeling for some time, appearing in a handful of shows and print work, but again, that wasn't a realistic career path. It did however provide experience in fashion shows, modeling & production.
The Lunch that changed my life
At fifteen, my dad introduced me to a fellow professor who had attended the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT). She took me to lunch at a local Pizza Hut, where she explained the design program at The Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City. That lunch changed my life; I knew then what I wanted to do. I studied at NDSU (in Fargo, ND), which had an exchange program with FIT. While earning my BS in Apparel, Textiles, and Art, I applied to FIT, got accepted, moved to New York, studied fashion, and eventually worked on projects for major global brands.
Early in my career, I worked for a company whose primary sales came from Walmart. I was so excited to travel—I recall that in my 3rd week of working there, my boss called me into his office to ask me if I had a passport—he was sending me to Asia to work with the liaison office to get a massive amount of samples done in time for a big meeting. I was thrilled and couldn't wait to collaborate with makers on my designs.
What was to be a 2-week trip turned into a 5-week trip (which my boss knew, but hid that from me). I enjoyed learning the process, visiting the printing factory to see the strike-offs, and reviewing the sewn samples as they came in. I was also enjoying the outings in the city that the employees were taking me on—there was so much to learn, see, and experience. It was a great experience, and I continued to enjoy what became a regular part of my job.
These experiences opened my eyes to the darker side of the fashion industry, where excessive waste and substandard working conditions were the norm. Witnessing these unethical practices fueled my commitment to conscious fashion practices, motivating me to strive for what I can do to make a difference in the industry and encouraging others to do the same.
I recall one day on that first trip, when we were working in the office in Taipei, my boss came up to me and told me that I needed to start screaming at the employees to make them fearful and push harder to get samples done more quickly. I was shocked as we were all working well over 40 hours a week. I was working alongside the polite Taiwanese staff, young men and women who managed and oversaw the creation of hundreds of prints and styles. They worked Monday through Saturday, taking only Sunday off to see their families. I felt uncomfortable and concerned about the treatment of the staff from my boss, who was known for screaming at people. However, I wouldn't do it; instead, I treated them with respect and kindness. After all, they were already pushing the makers to capacity, and more screaming was not going to solve anything. I finally told my boss, "You get more bees with honey"....and you know what happened? We completed everything on time, and no one had to be reprimanded.
My boss was impressed and asked me, "How did you do that"? He even said, "Wow, Britta, they really like working with you," which seemed surprising to him. What was he thinking? That we would accomplish more by intimidation & fear? That's just not in my nature and never will be. This experience reinforced my belief in the power of respect and kindness in the workplace, and it's a principle I continue to uphold in my career. (Oh, and this was the norm for most of my bosses- screaming yelling, and occasionally throwing staplers)
What I observed during these trips—substandard working conditions, excessive waste, and an unrelenting pace—was deeply unsettling. One experience that especially stands out in my mind was going to the print factory—the employees working on the print machines were mixing big buckets of dye for each color, which, after running through the screen printing machine, was drained out on the ground—the workers standing in flip flops, exposing their feet to toxic dyes, all day, every day. Not only that, but the colored water was then running down the floor, down the street and into ditches that led to a local stream. The discomfort I felt at witnessing these unethical practices were profound. It was a moment of awareness that this was not the kind of fashion I aspired to create.
This realization fueled my commitment to conscious fashion practices, empowering me to strive for what I can do to make a difference in the industry and encouraging others to do the same.
Years later, I found success in my career, but at the expense of my mental and physical health. Ongoing deadlines, pressure for your designs to "sell," exhaustion, and emotional drain. My designs were selling, successfully even- our sales numbers were going up consistently, growing the business year after year (with that, comes even more expectations).
After years of ongoing pressure to perform, endless deadlines & expectation to grow sales, I started having chronic chest pains, often leaving me breathless and feeling panicky. I lived with the pains for several years, no tests revealing anything wrong—I was fatigued, short of breath, dizzy, yet I had pushed through as I still loved the work and the process of creating.
What I didn't know was that I was experiencing symptoms that were leading up to a type of heart attack called SCAD (undetectable in all the testing that was done). And eventually, I had a heart attack. There are multiple contributing factors leading to this specific type of heart attack, but stress is one of them. It was a wake-up call. Something had to change.
The pressures and expectations within the fashion industry extend beyond those employed in the sector, affecting consumers as well. This growing concern is often referred to as eco-anxiety: the anxiety, fear, and discomfort associated with our environmental and fashion systems. This developing discourse highlights that conscious fashion is not merely a trend but a movement. Keep an eye out for the next blog post in this series, where we'll explore Eco-Anxiety and potential solutions.
Despite the challenges, I believe fashion can still be a place of joy, creativity, and belonging. For those of us who love fashion, there is space to design with purpose, to find our voices, and to connect with communities that uplift rather than compete. The future of fashion doesn’t have to repeat the mistakes of the past—we have the power to create a healthier, more inspiring path forward. And for every student, designer, or entrepreneur pursuing their dream, know this: it is possible to thrive in this industry in a way that honors both your wellbeing and your vision.
Conclusion
The pressures of fashion can feel isolating, but they don't have to be. As creatives, students, and professionals, our greatest strength lies in conscious fashion & community—finding spaces where we can learn, share, and support one another through both challenges and breakthroughs.
That's why I created Inside Fashion Design (IFD) and The Conscious Fashion Design Academy (TCFDA). At IFD, you'll find a community of like-minded designers and entrepreneurs committed to conscious creation, mentorship, and collaboration. And through TCFDA, you'll gain access to on-demand learning, toolkits, and live sessions designed to help you grow your skills while staying true to your values.
🌟 Join Us at NYFW
This conversation doesn’t stop here. As part of New York Fashion Week, Inside Fashion Design is hosting a special event:
Mind Your Fashion: The Transformative Power Of Storytelling – To Build Your Brand, Too!
This gathering will bring together industry voices, students, and professionals to shine a light on the realities of mental health in fashion—and more importantly, to share tools for storytelling, and strategies for creating your own personal or brand story, along with conscious connections. If these topics resonate with you, I invite you to join us and be part of the movement toward a fashion industry that supports both people and planet.
Featured Speakers:
Michael J. Jordan – Former International journalist & Global strategist, creator of the MJMethod for strategic storytelling. Learn how to craft a narrative that heals and proves your impact.
Kahindo Mateene – Creative visionary and Founder of the ethical womenswear brand KAHINDO, proudly Made in Africa. Her work empowers women, celebrates Congolese heritage, and challenges stereotypes in the global fashion industry.
Jude Kingston – Founder of Mind Your Fashion and a global advocate for mental wellness in creative industries
Why Attend?
Fashion is often celebrated for its beauty and creativity—but behind the seams, many professionals face burnout, pressure, and disconnection. This event creates space for honest dialogue, peer support, and practical tools to bring mindfulness back into the fashion world.
✨ Networking & Wellness Moments
Fashion Presentation from Kahindo
Continental breakfast
Step-and-repeat photo opportunity
Intentional peer connections
Wellness & Storytelling takeaways and resources
Whether you’re a designer, entrepreneur, student, or industry professional, you’ll leave this event with:
✔ A clearer understanding of how storytelling strengthens both personal and brand identity
✔ Practical steps to use narrative as a tool for healing, empowerment, and impact
✔ New connections with like-minded conscious fashion peers
If you're looking for connection, guidance, or a reminder that you're not alone on this journey, I invite you to explore our community. Together, we can transform both the industry and ourselves—designing with purpose, resilience, and heart.
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