This article was written by Rajkishore Nayak, Associate Professor, RMIT University Vietnam. Originally published on The Conversation.

By Courtney Rosenfeld, Contributing Author, founder of Gigspark.biz For over a decade, savvy business owners have been harnessing the power of video marketing to engage their audience and increase brand awareness. Are you thinking of using this strategy to grow your brand? If so, follow our quick guide and start creating excellent visual content to educate and entertain your followers: 1: Researching Your Target Audience When you run a small business, you often have to wear many hats (especially in the beginning months). On top of everything else, marketing your products often falls squarely on your shoulders. If you work in fashion, chances are your customers are visual people, so creating videos is an excellent strategy to promote your business. Your first step is to create a buyer persona: think age, gender, demographics, and location, but also lifestyle and values, to define your ideal customer. That knowledge will help you develop content that resonates with your target audience. 2. Creating Valuable Video Content Once you have a handle on your target audience, you can start tailoring video content specifically for that customer segment. For example, suppose you're a fashion designer. In that case, you have many options: high-quality videos of models wearing your creations, tutorials, and how-tos for styling your outfits, vlogs, behind-the-scenes, or Q&As about your creative process… the sky's the limit. But first, establish a reasonable budget for your project, thinking about what kind of ROI you're expecting for it. Next, develop a storyboard and a script to give it direction. Then, hire a videographer, or tackle this fun project yourself! 3. Adding Relevant Information to Your Posts If you want to add stats and facts about your business and make your posts more readable, valuable, and shareable for your viewers, an infographic maker can come in handy. And you can design your own for free in just a few minutes by selecting a template and customizing it with your text, icons, and images. Using a dynamic graphic to present information to potential customers as they scroll through their social media channels is a great way to capture their attention. And if they like what they see, they'll want to know more about your brand. 4. Publishing Your Videos on Social Media Platforms Offering a visual representation of your business on your social media channels will boost brand recognition and improve your reputation as a professional in your field. Post your videos on YouTube, Facebook, and your Google business listing to share your brand's story. Strive for authenticity, as this is what most consumers are looking for, and make sure to add keywords and tags to your videos so that they can easily be found with a quick online search. Then, create a social media calendar and schedule your videos to be posted when your audience is online to improve engagement. 5. Monitoring the Effectiveness of Your Video Marketing Strategy Once your videos are posted online, you can measure their performance by looking at different metrics, such as view counts and watch time. This will give you an idea of the most effective content for your target audience. From then, you can adjust your strategy accordingly. For example, if shorter clips perform better, you can repurpose your longer videos and add new graphics. And if you notice your followers turning to you for your tutorials, consider live streaming or offering webinars and establishing yourself as a real pro. A creative business deserves creative marketing strategies, and video is a great medium to promote art and fashion. Once you've figured out your target audience, developing video content that will engage, educate, and entertain them is much easier. So, tap into data analytics to gain more followers and increase your sales! Are you passionate about fashion? Then subscribe to insidefashiondesign.com, a global resource designed to inform, inspire, empower, and connect creative thinkers, makers, and brands like yours. Thank you Courtney for contributing! Check out her website at: www.gigspark.biz Have a feature you would like to recommend RECOMMEND A FEATURE STORY Want to be a featured maker or brand? SEND AN INQUIRY HERE Curious about advertising with us? SUBMIT AN INQUIRY HERE Curious about Design and Development services? REACH OUT TO US HERE Want to learn about our annual Ethical Fashion Festival and how you can get involved? EFF INQUIRES Become an ifd Insider; Free membership- Join here

Coming up on February 17th, Maxine Bédat, Executive Director at New Standard Institute discusses how the new Fashion Sustainability & Accountability Act in New York will affect fashion business models. ⌛ Are you a fashion brand looking to learn more about the upcoming legislation that could potentially impact your business? This informational session, hosted by The WORLD COLLECTIVE will include a discussion featuring Maxine Bédat Bedat, Executive Director of New Standard Institute who will provide insights on the Fashion Sustainability & Accountability Act proposed in New York and how it could affect the future of fashion. Come learn how about The World Collective, and how the platform works, and discover how the solutions discussed align with your business clarity and sustainability goals! 💥 Register now to save your seat! Agenda: Introduction to Maxine Bedat, Executive Director, New Standards Institute Overview of the Fashion Sustainability & Accountability Act Supply Chain Transparency, Traceability, and Accounting Origin of materials Fair & safe working conditions Insight from World Collective team on Criteria and Metrics for Accountability Audience Q&A with Platform Partners What exactly is the New York Fashion & Sustainability Act? This article from ReMake covers FAQ: Everything You Need to Know About New York State’s Fashion Act Interested in Contributing an article? INQUIRE HERE Want to be a featured maker or brand? SEND AN INQUIRY HERE Curious about advertising with us? SUBMIT AN INQUIRY HERE Curious about Design and Development services? REACH OUT TO US HERE Want to learn about our annual Ethical Fashion Festival and how you can get involved? EFF INQUIRES

Today’s fashion and lifestyle brands face an urgency to implement Environmental Social and Governance solutions to their supply chains. Customers expect it and the planet requires it. For systemic change to occur, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) must be part of the solution. Concern about risks to change management, financial investment, resources, and capability needed, is often a deterrent. Enter World Collective. What is World Collective? World Collective is a fashion lifestyle and sustainability-focused not-for-profit providing affordable, practical, and actionable end-to-end solutions for SMEs delivered via an easy-to-use digital experience. Via World Collective collaborative platform, SMEs can implement specific solutions and ultimately transform themselves and scale their ESG efforts using our innovation database, industry-leading solution providers, consultants, environmental and social impact projects, education programs, events, and global reach network as a holding hand in their journey. SMEs overcome obstacles by offering access to the most promising, vetted, ready-to-implement, and innovative solutions. Membership offers a shared marketplace of resources including: Supply chain innovation database Transparency & traceability platform Impact-reduction tracking on carbon, water & chemicals Creating economy of scale for access to environmental and social impact projects Innovative materials with a science-based approach Executive education programs & awareness campaigns World Collective is the first non-profit consortium to scale transformative actions for supply chain innovation. Its program’s sustainability criteria are end-to-end solutions for brands, retailers & suppliers. The platform is based on a certification compliance database ensuring full transparency and traceability from Tier 1 Assembly factories to Tier 4 raw material suppliers. View World Collective Sustainable Fashion Master Talks Series Resources and initiatives offered by World Collective are aligned with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) which include poverty reduction, environmental protection, and a limit to the increase in global temperatures to 1.5°c above pre-industrial levels. Goals are interdependent and integrated, driving towards bold, collective action. World Collective’s online resource hub offers solutions for teams charged with leading supply chain transformation. Membership participation is offered at three levels, with progressively higher subscription fees: 1. Innovation Member – grants access to the resource hub 2. Activation Member – offers resource hub access + activation support + measurement tools 3. Transformation Member – offers resource hub access + activation support + measurement tools + partnership level participation in events and sponsorship level visibility for the subscribing organization All membership levels include access to SGS group - the world’s leading testing, inspection, and certification company- technical assistance and training, invitations to global networking events, and discounts for top exclusive Executive Education programs. Along with our digital platforms, it will support members to access transparency & traceability software for their business. Additional programs include carbon accounting and access to global impact projects with our jurisdictional environmental & social partners to support a healthier planet. World collective platform offers a digital platform for members to connect, share resources and join collective projects, and join the climate dialogue with our Media Partner We Don’t Have Time, see what's new, and take action. Members are required to a three-year commitment and accountability in innovation implementation, with yearly progress reports. World Collective helps members continuously build upon new opportunities and expand innovation. Members are encouraged to incorporate supply chain transformation metrics and successes into their organization’s marketing materials and public branding. Take a peek at F4Development! World Collective, launched in 2021, is an outgrowth of Fashion 4 Development, a private-sector global platform committed to supporting the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals. World Collective is funded through member subscriptions, donations, and grants. Want to learn more? For inquiries and further info, email: info@world-collective.com Interested in Contributing an article for IFD? INQUIRE HERE Want to be a featured maker or brand? SEND AN INQUIRY HERE Curious about advertising with us? SUBMIT AN INQUIRY HERE Curious about Design and Development services? REACH OUT TO US HERE Want to learn about our annual Ethical Fashion Festival and how you can get involved? EFF INQUIRES

If you work in fashion you may have heard about The Fashion Sustainability and Social Accountability Act- but what exactly is it and how will it affect our work? In New York, The Fashion Sustainability and Social Accountability Act (The Fashion Act) aims to be the first of its kind, a groundbreaking policy addressing the fashion industry in the fashion capital of the world. "By creating a global foundation for the fashion industry’s environmental and social practices, The Fashion Act’s objective is to put an end to its destructive impacts on the environment and exploitation of garment factory workers around the world". This Act has not passed yet, but is still in the works, getting support from many celebrities and organizations. The future is looking bright with all these amazing efforts in the works! Are you a fashion brand or industry professional looking to learn more about the upcoming legislation that could potentially impact your business? WORLD COLLECTIVE is excited to host a virtual roundtable a discussion featuring Maxine Bédat Bedat, Executive Director of New Standard Institute who will provide insights on the Fashion Sustainability & Accountability Act proposed in New York and how it could affect the future of fashion. We invite you to take part in this growing community of forward-thinking executives and join us in this meaningful discussion. Come learn more about the act and how World Collective works and discover how the solutions discussed align with your business clarity and sustainability goals! 💥 Free and open to all Register to get the zoom link and mark your calendars! Zoom Registration: https://lnkd.in/edASpiDq FAQ: Everything You Need to Know About The Fashion Act This article from ReMake covers FAQ'S: Everything You Need to Know About New York State’s Fashion Act Want to help get regulations passed? To Sign a petition to help pass new regulations, visit this link to sign or visit: https://www.thefashionact.org Interested in Contributing an article? INQUIRE HERE Want to be a featured maker or brand? SEND AN INQUIRY HERE Curious about advertising with us? SUBMIT AN INQUIRY HERE Curious about Design and Development services? REACH OUT TO US HERE Want to learn about our annual Ethical Fashion Festival and how you can get involved? EFF INQUIRES

We need to give each other the space to grow, to be ourselves, to exercise our diversity. We need to give each other space so that we may both give and receive such beautiful things as ideas, openness, dignity, joy, healing, and inclusion. Max de Pree Several years ago, I started a ritual to greet the new year. Instead of setting New Year's resolutions that quickly fade away, I picked a one-word "intention." It is simple enough to easily remember and maintain focus throughout the year. The only rule that applies is that it must be ONE WORD. Yep, that's right, just ONE WORD that will be my intention. As I was contemplating my Word for 2023, I was curious to learn how best to choose that one Word- and how this idea came to be. I did a bit of digging and found some helpful articles to guide you in selecting the Word that best resonates with you at this time in your life. My favorite resources for finding you One Word: 1. One Word that will change your life This highly recommended book may have started the idea. "One Word explains how to simplify your life and business by focusing on just ONE WORD for the entire year. The simplicity of choosing one Word makes it a catalyst for life change. Clutter and complexity lead to procrastination and paralysis, while simplicity and focus lead to success and clarity; by celebrated authors Dan Britton, Jimmy Page, and Jon Gordon, One Word That Will Change Your Life shows you how to cut through to the core of your intention for the next year. It offers an action plan and a simple process to discover your Word for the year. It also explains how your one Word will impact the six dimensions of your life—mental, physical, emotional, relational, spiritual, and financial." from www.amazon.com 2. Article from INC.com : Here's How One Word Can Change Your Life in 2022. It's worked for me many times. Should you give it a try? In this article, written by BY MINDA ZETLIN, AUTHOR OF 'CAREER SELF-CARE: FIND YOUR HAPPINESS, SUCCESS, AND FULFILLMENT AT WORK'@MINDAZETLIN, says YES to giving it a try, and offers 5 simple steps to help you find your word. I like this method as it's simple and straightforward. Read the full article here 3. One Little Word Kit: If you are a fan of scrapbooking or journaling, Ali Edwards offers One Little Word kits, journals, stickers & even a yearlong workshop where you can really dive in. Each month she offers prompts, inspiration, and encouragement for implementing your one word into your life. To learn more, visit her website here 4. One Word Generator by Jen Fulwiler I love this one!! Can't decide what Word to pick and need an easy, super quick way to get one? Check out this One Word Generator by comedian and author Jen Fulwiler. Check out her IG post & Try the Word generator to see what comes up for you! Mine is DELIGHT! I love this Word and would have kept it as my Word of the year. However, I already decided on one, and as much as I want to DELIGHT, I want to implement the Word I already have as it is much needed for 2023. (Maybe i will save it for 2024!) So what is my Word for 2023? GROW! Why? Because there are several areas in my life that I want to grow. For example, I want to grow in my knowledge of best design practices, I want to grow my business, I want to grow our community; I want to grow as. a person overall. I can grow by striving to be a better parent, partner, leader, and teacher- I can grow in my spiritual, fitness, and creative practices. I may come up with specific "goals" for some of these, but to achieve GROWTH, I don't want to complicate things; I want to just simply focus on that Word, keep it top of mind and consider how I can grow in all my endeavors & life experiences throughout the year. So what's the magic word that will change your life? It's up to you to find it. Need more ideas? Check out the list below. Still need some ideas? A fun thing to do is google the Word you are thinking of + quotes, i.e., Grow + Quotes. See what comes up for your Word! Another route is to look up the Word you are considering to find its definition. This is what I found for Grow: Grow Definition: to spring up and develop to maturity to be able to grow in some place or situation to assume some relation through or as if through a process of natural growth INCREASE, EXPAND grows in wisdom Grow Quotes: Don't go through life, grow through life. Eric Butterworth Love is the answer, and you know that for sure; Love is a flower, you've got to let it grow. John Lennon Out of difficulties grow miracles. Jean de la Bruyere Be not afraid of discomfort. If you can't put yourself in a situation where you are uncomfortable, then you will never grow. You will never change. You'll never learn. Jason Reynolds I'm really excited about what the future holds and to grow as an individual and as an artist. Khalid If everything was perfect, you would never learn and you would never grow. Beyonce Knowles I would love to hear what you all come up with for your Word of the Year! Send a note to Design@insidefashiondesign.net. Then, follow us along in 2023 to see how we continue to GROW and what new things we learn that we can share with you! And I leave you with one more quote: “Your beliefs become your thoughts, Your thoughts become your words, Your words become your actions, Your actions become your habits, Your habits become your values, Your values become your destiny.” Ghandi Now go and find your word! Already well into the year? No worries...this works anytime!! Peace, Love, and Blessings! Britta Interested in Contributing an article? INQUIRE HERE Want to be a featured maker or brand? SEND AN INQUIRY HERE Curious about advertising with us? SUBMIT AN INQUIRY HERE Curious about Design and Development services? REACH OUT TO US HERE Want to learn about our annual Ethical Fashion Festival and how you can get involved? EFF INQUIRES

Career development matters because a career means so much more than the salary, security, and benefits we get from a job. A career affects what we can become and contribute, and who we impact in the pursuit of our work. To speak about career development is to speak about what your career means over your lifetime. Your career is a process that continues indefinitely; purpose, meaning, gratification, and passion are found not only in the result but are present in the pursuit of work itself. JEANETTE HUNG Co-ordinator, Career Counselling Services, Dalhousie University, NS Do you find purpose, passion, and meaning in your work? A career development plan will get you there! Developing a career plan can entail a lot of work; however, it will pay off as it lays out a blueprint of where you want to go in your career and how you’ll get there. Setting measurable goals specific to your career will help you get to the next level. No matter what stage of your career, having a plan will help you keep moving forward in the right direction. Creating a development plan also applies to those who may not have found their dream job yet. By doing so, you will have a concrete plan of how to get to where you want to be and make you feel motivated to get there. Did you know.... Only 29% of organizations have a clear learning and development (L&D) plan for their employees. 34% of employees say that career development opportunities motivated them to leave their previous position. 87% of millennials say professional growth and career development are very important. 76% of employees are looking for opportunities to expand their careers. So, dont leave it up to your company to provide one. Take it upon yourself to create your own so you have a clear and achievable path for your career journey. What is a Career Development Plan & Why do YOU need one? A career development plan is a way of creating a roadmap for your career by creating a personal action plan. This type of plan includes: The starting point: This is where you are now in your career. The destination: Where you want to go and be in your career. The gap: These are the obstacles you must overcome to reach the said destination. The route: How will you close the gap to reach your desired destination? By going through this process, you will identify specific achievable career goals and not only design a plan but implement strategies to reach your goals. How to Create a Career Development Plan (download our handy template!) 1. Identify your current position. This first step allows you to reflect on your current skillsets, strengths, and where you are at. Consider asking yourself questions such as: What are my past experiences? What do I enjoy doing? What are my natural skills and talents? Do I have a specific calling in life? What about my career gets me up in the morning? 2. Identify your destination. Start by brainstorming. Allow your brain to go to small goals, larger-than-life goals, and think outside of the box. This is the time in your plan where, if nothing held you back, where would you want to be? After you brainstorm, start to form smaller, more specific goals. This will help you better visualize your plan as these goals are closer to your current day-to-day life. Once you’ve completed the smaller goals, go big! Where do you want to be in five to 10 years? Remember to align your goals to what motivates you the most. By taking the time to do this step right, you’ll be ready to assess how to get to your destination. 3. Do a gap analysis. This is all about what is between where you are and where you want to be. Researching your goal career, consulting with seasoned professionals who are doing what you want to be doing, understanding the skills and experiences needed, and evaluating the qualifications you do and don’t have to see just how far you are and where you need to go .4. Create your career development plan. Now that you clearly understand what you need to advance in your career, you’re ready to make the plan. Looking at steps 1-3, start by making small task-oriented goals. For example, if you need to know how to use a specific type of sewing machine, look into taking a course or class to learn the skills to understand the machine and the skills needed to use it. Put your small goals into a timeline and create realistic deadlines to help you visualize how your plan will go and stay on track. 5. Measure your progress and evaluate. This is where you implement, check in to stay on track, and adjust where needed. As you progress, update your goals accordingly. This plan is not concrete. As you grow and evolve, so will your plan. 6. Why Should You Create a Development Plan Mapping out your career will keep you updated on your industry niche, enhance your business reputation, support you in developing new skills, and re-energize your excitement in your career life. By taking the time to plan, you will have the support you need to reach your career goals, stay motivated and inspired, increase productivity, and strengthen your relationships within your field. Stay on top of your plan; chances are, you will take your career to the next level. Check out IFD’s upcoming courses and consider taking some classes as part of your apparel career development plan! Have you checked out our new fashion design community yet? Create your own profile, share your work, and your career goals, and network with like-minded industry professionals.

Greetings!  Thank you for stopping by today. I am excited to share with you Hecho Por Nosotros, founded by Adriana Mariana.  I am also very excited to have had the opportuntity to include her as a guest speaker at our Ethical Fashion Festival! Hecho x Nosotros (translation: Made By Us) — is a non-profit NGO with consultative status in the United Nations that promotes sustainability in the fashion industry. They promote research & educational projects to reach a deep understanding of the social, economic, and environmental problems linked to the textile world. Their Vision and philosophy: "Our dream is to create unique products for consumers who are looking for quality and elegance that generates a positive social and environmental impact. Our vision focuses on learning from artisans and MSME’s as we believe that solutions come from the grassroots of the industry and that these communities hold the key to generating a systemic change. We partner up to create strategies in order to transform and upgrade their organizations together in a way that is the best for their community, stakeholders, and objectives". https://www.hechoxnosotros.org With a focus on sustainability projects and policy making, and a design line called animaná, featuring sustainable products clothes, accessories, and home decor highlighting natural fibers from Patagonia and the Andes. Adriana Marina is the founder of both Hecho por Nosotros and animaná, and she and her team are working to promote sustainability in the world of fashion. Sustainable Luxury: Hecho por Nosotros’ beliefs translate into products through the animaná brand, whose timeless, classic collections adhere to the principle of sustainable luxury. Nature offers beauty, which animaná seeks to preserve in their products by letting the natural fibers and natural colors speak for themselves in each garment, accessory, and home decor product. All items are crafted by hand by local artisans using ancestral techniques, making each piece unique while always still contemporary and sophisticated in style. Products are made of the finest fibers of Patagonia and the Andes—the exotic camelids fiber, vicugna, alpaca, llama, and guanaco, and the best Merino from Patagonia. Working with local communities and one of the most environmentally friendly fibers available makes animaná a truly sustainable fashion brand. Fashion for Good: Hecho por Nosotros’ vision of sustainable fashion goes beyond the animaná brand. As a non-profit NGO with consultative status with the United Nations, Hecho por Nosotros organizes sustainability projects and participate in sustainability policy processes and policy-making platforms. With a strong focus on research and education projects, the goal is to understand the fashion/design industry and its problems better and to find comprehensive solutions for creating a new paradigm of sustainable fashion. Industry Impact: In the past ten years, Hecho por Nosotros and animaná have impacted the lives of thousands of artisans through the ability to generate work, as well as teaching about modern design and sustainable production. Here are just a few of the organization’s accomplishments: * Increased the capacity of 27 fiber producers and 364 artisan groups, counting 3,023 people and their families. * Developed a business network of almost 7,500 artisans that meet market demand in terms of volume and quality standards, integrating them into the global market and offering more economic opportunities. * Trained 1,500 design students in a sustainable fashion. Hecho por Nosotros is actively working to turn Sustainable Fashion into the industry’s new reality, and Adriana Marina is leading the way. Learn more and be inspired by as Adriana Marina speaks in person, at our Ethical Fashion Festival Interested in learning more from other Ethical Fashion Businesses? check out our Ethical Fashion category to view other featured artisans, entrepreneurs and the makers themselves. Like this article? Sign up for our newsletter to stay up-to-date on all our insights & inspirations! Have a favorite brand to share? Let us know! Learn more by visiting the website

This Ethical Fashion Festival feature is The Zena Brand. We enjoyed chatting live with Caragh Bennet, to hear firsthand how she went from studies at Oxford, to Uganda, to launching a jewelry line and creating an educational program to support women FIRESIDE CHAT WITH CARAGH BENNET CO-FOUNDER OF THE ZENA BRAND "Our bottom line is to see the women establish their own bottom lines.” These are the words of Caragh Bennet, our guest today, who has made it their life's purpose and brand to rewrite stories and empower women through sustainable fashion design and entrepreneurship. The Zena Brand puts its community first with the notion that it isn't always about generating profit, but rather, about living out your purpose and finding fulfillment through it. Indeed, when we are so passionate about what we're doing, no matter what challenges come our way, we can find ways to innovate and continue to provide for our community. This conversation is filled with inspiration on numerous levels, from The Zena Brand's commitment to sustainability along with the use of raw materials, to how to start and run an enterprise that you are passionate about, to empowering women by providing them with lifelong skills that can ultimately help them achieve their dreams. Video Audio ifd Soundbites "Women living in rural poverty face two major barriers to business opportunities: a lack of education and capital. The Zena Brand set out to change that." Caragh Bennet Caragh Bennet & Loren Thomas, are the co-founders of The Zena Brand, a non-profit jewelry line that has purely social impact based in Kampala, Uganda. Together they founded Zena with the single promise of changing the global stories of gender inequality and extreme poverty by investing in female entrepreneurs. Key Highlights: Tune in to this podcast or video and learn: How they met at the university, then interviewed 50 women from rural Uganda with the hope of building relationships with people from a completely different culture (08:05) Introduced the concept of social entrepreneurship and employment in Uganda, where the idea of Zena came from (10:18) Their biggest achievement was partnering with Diane Von Furstenberg at Bloomingdale's last year to celebrate The Lion King on International Women's Day (13:58) What their brand looked like early on before it went through a significant rebranding to a younger demographic that better reflects their values (15:19) Their favorite memories starting Zena, as well as some challenging times (17:51) Caragh describes their journey to the book she read entitled “ Shoe Dog by Phil Knight a memoir by the creator of Nike” (17:58) Experiencing the pandemic was like going into a boxing ring - a fight of your life (18:29) How they turned their business's greatest fear into their strength (19:35) Why agricultural agriculture is a crucial industry for rural and farming communities (24:42) Their social act program has not only helped women escape poverty but also give children an opportunity for education (29:27) Their biggest advice to fashion design students pursuing this career path: to be intentional and to keep your purpose in mind (48:20) Are you interested in getting involved? Check out the Zena Student Brand Ambassador Application Student ambassadors are a KEY part of the Zena team and help us fund and sustain our mission of seeing female entrepreneurs rewrite stories of extreme poverty and gender inequality in their communities in Uganda. As a nonprofit, 100% of our proceeds are reinvested into our mission which means the more jewelry we can sell, the more women we can fund through our program. Are you passionate about ethical fashion, fun events, and social impact brands? Are you looking for experience in brand marketing, sales, or team building? We're looking for Zena girls on campus to head up our student community engagement program and to lead sales pop-up events, brand activations, and fundraising for our impact work. As brand ambassadors, you will be our official Zena reps on campus and be responsible for leading a team to design and implement brand awareness and community-building events at your university. We are looking for self-starters, creative thinkers, entrepreneurial leaders, and friend-makers. P.S pink exclusive Zena hoodies included Learn more and see their full collection at: www.thezenabrand.com Additional Resources: The Zena Brand’s Website is https://thezenabrand.com/ The Zena Brand on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/thezenabrand/?ref=page_internal The Zena Brand on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/thezenabrand/ Book Recommendation: Shoe Dog by Phil Knight The Zena Brand is one of our many featured makers in IFD’s Ethical Fashion Festival. Learn more about Ethical Makers and brands by following us virtually. 🔦🛍 Our designer showcase and virtual series showcasing the amazing designers, ambassadors, and partners helping us celebrate ethical fashion. 🍿 Hear directly from makers, social enterprises, and ethical fashion powerhouses through a docu-style video series. Turn on our IG post notifications and buckle up for a festival that informs, empowers & connects ☺️ To see all the happenings, join us @ #EthicalFashionFestival. Follow us on IG: insidefashiondesign to catch all the live streaming & on Facebook: @InsideFashionDesign Like this article? Please share & Follow us to help us reach more people about Ethical, Sustainable, and Conscious Fashion. Instagram, Facebook, Linkedin, Pinterest, Twitter

What if there was a more innovative way to improve your people's quality of life through fashion? It's not uncommon for young brands to be taught to operate in their own traditional way. However, in our current environment and state of the fashion industry, we have to figure out how to do things differently. Shivam Punjya, the founder of behno, came from a non-conventional background, yet continues to impact the Fashion Design Industry by transforming workers' lives. Please meet Ethical Fashion Festival guest Shivam Punjya of behno Shivam Punjya is the founder and creative director of Behno, a New York-based clothing and handbag company that was founded with a desire to improve the way the fashion industry approaches manufacturing. Shivam established the company not only to showcase impressive craftsmanship, but also to support India's garment workers -- most of whom are women, and can earn less than a dollar per day. In pursuit of this goal, the brand created "The Behno Standard," a set of six operating tenets aimed at advancing the livelihood of its artisans. Across its factories, each female colleague is addressed by the name behn ("sister" in Hindi), symbolizing the sisterhood of empowered employees the brand strives to create. In this Fireside Chat during our Ethical Fashion Festival, Shivam shares the unique path he took to become an entrepreneur, finding his place in the fashion industry, and using his undergrad experience to help him move forward. He explains why he encourages his team to dream big, learn, make mistakes and not be afraid to work for companies that don't do things like traditional ones, and how his "Behno Standard" principles have helped them grow into the fashion label company they are now. Listen in on our Fireside Chat video, or listen to the audio with ifd Soundbites: Key Highlights: Shivam's professional background and personal story, including how he became an entrepreneur despite having no background in the fashion industry (01:26) What Shivam's experience brought to the founding of Behno, and how the company developed in the fashion industry and international development space( 04:14) What it means to work with a community that's been marginalized and neglected by so many people in the industry (06:16) Shivam's purpose in creating a factory led him to create luxury products that saw manufacturing from a completely different perspective (06:49) How being an undergrad was an impactful experience for Shivam, which contributed to his success later on (09:33) Their brand name Behno, what it means, and why it affects so many factories in India (13:06) Behno: A personal name for people getting to know their grassroots partners on a very personal level (14:24) The Six Guiding Standard principles of Behno as a brand include access to healthcare services, education, and transportation (14:36) Why choosing good partners is critical to putting together a diverse and fit team ( 17:48) What kind of world change would you like to see Behno make? (20:29) Shivam recalled stories of individuals who inspired him and gave him a renewed appreciation for what his branding company can accomplish (37:56) What is the Garment Worker Project and The behno Standard? "Through the Garment Worker Project, behno’s founder, Shivam Punjya, invited fashion photographer Dan Smith and documentary filmmaker Kent Mathews to MSA Ethos to explore the less visible side of fashion. While Smith captured the unique individuals of MSA Ethos through an emotional series of intimate portraits, Mathews documented their personal stories and the unique infrastructure of the factory through documentary film." www.behno.com Envisioning manufacturing to be radically different. Shivam Punjya, created a space where garment workers, artisans, and factories are an intimate part of a brand’s core DNA. Behind the Scenes: Luxury bags from behno collection Learn more about: the behno Ethical Philosophy The Garment Worker Project The exquisite handwork from their artisanal hand-embroidery workshop the handwoven Silks Supporting non-profits such as the National Downs Syndrome Society Partner factories View the ethical benefits behind each product "The Bag of the Moment" & its social benefits To shop, support, or reach behno visit: Behno’s website https://behno.com/ Shivam Punjya on Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/in/shivam-punjya-80489a13/ Shivam Punjya on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/shivampunjya/?hl=en

Back in 1948, Eleanor Roosevelt was the Chair of the United Nations Human Rights Commission. She was the driving force behind this declaration, which inspired the name of the Article 22 brand. Article 22 jewelry is handmade from bomb shrapnel + scrap in Laos. They partnered with the Minnes Advisory Group to clean the land of bombs left over from the war. There are 80 million unexploded bombs contaminating the laurel. Each piece of Article 22 jewelry made from bombs helps to dean a chunk of land. "ARTICLE22 celebrates stories of positive transformation and makes a real impact through jewelry handmade in Laos. we partner with artisans in off-the-beaten-track places to create modern heirlooms that are beautiful and meaningful." www.article22.com ARTICLE22 is on a mission to transform negative into positive. Each piece of jewelry is a modern heirloom – a piece of history upcycled from Vietnam War shrapnel and scrap by artisans in Laos. Proceeds from the collection clear some of the 80 million unexploded bombs there. The Story Bangle is the first piece and represents the virtuous circle formed by ARTICLE22 - the more jewelry worn and shared, the more land cleared, and the more material for artisans to make more jewelry and build their lives. Engraved with the story, dropped + made in Laos, each bangle is also marked with the company namesake, ARTICLE22, inspired by the 22nd Article of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which states everyone's right to social, economic, and cultural security and the free development of personality. Each piece gives back to support traditional Lao artisan livelihoods, village development, community endeavors, and further de-mining efforts. IFD fell in love with the Peace Bomb bracelet and the moving story behind Article 22. Elizabeth Suda, founder of Article 22, along with Aleena Inthaly from Legacies of War joined us for an informative and inspiring talk about their story, mission & creating a livelihood for communities in Laos. The Story Bangle is the first piece and represents the virtuous circle formed by ARTICLE22 - the more jewelry worn and shared, the more land cleared, and the more material for artisans to make more jewelry and build their lives. Engraved with the story, dropped + made in Laos, each bangle is also marked with the company namesake, ARTICLE22, inspired by the 22nd Article of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights which states everyone’s right to social, economic, and cultural security and the free development of personality. Each piece gives back to support traditional Lao artisan livelihoods, village development, community endeavors, and further de-mining efforts. A purchase from Article 22 contributes to MAG (Mines Advisory Group) to safely & expertly clear some of the 80 million unexploded bombs contaminating land in Laos. Learn more and see their full collection at: https://article22.com Article 22 is one of our many featured makers in IFD’s Ethical Fashion Festival. Learn more about Ethical Makers and brands by following us virtually this season Turn on our IG post notifications and buckle up for a holiday festival that informs, empowers & connects ☺️ To see all the happenings, join us on IG @insidefashiondesign & #EthicalFashionFestival. Follow us & like us to catch all the live streaming. Learn about ethical, sustainable makers and brands. See behind the scenes, hear stories, connect with our community and see the makers at work

Agents of Change: bgood collective Believes Sustainability is Achievable for Everyone When Rabia Farhang and Johanna Masket met through a retail networking group, they realized they shared a similar worldview and were searching for work with purpose and meaning. Together they launched bgood collective, a group of change agents using its collective expertise as a force for good to drive sustainable solutions. bgood collective works with small brands, retailers, and non-profits to create and scale social and eco-conscious strategies and enterprises. Their goal: support female founders in purpose-driven organizations and make sustainability accessible to all. The Founders Rabia Farhang started her merchandising career in department stores while putting herself through college. Her career path led to executive leadership roles with brands like White House|Black Market, Cache, and Fashion to Figure. Driven by her entrepreneurial spirit she began independent consulting, working with startups and small brands and utilizing her passion for launching businesses, turnarounds, and driving high growth. She has also worked with mission-driven organizations with a focus on underserved women and girls. Now as a female founder Rabia is putting her proven business skills and her passion for driving positive change to work focusing on social impact with purpose-driven Johanna Masket has turned around, expanded, and created businesses in every region of the world. Her career has spanned entertainment, retail, and consulting work at companies large and small. In her work as a thought leader at the global services and consulting  company Accenture she found younger consumers were expecting more sustainable business practices. New business models like rental and re-commerce were growing. Brands that incorporated sustainability and social impact into their business were outperforming the market. She realized she could not only do good but had a good argument to bring the rest of the industry with her. And so, Johanna and Rabia started their sustainability agency to merge the fashion industry and the impact space. Check out our Ethical Fashion Festivals Fireside chat with Rabia and the Shegul Brand! Or listen to the audio version here The Motivation IFD: What are some of the experiences that shaped who and where you are today? Rabia: I am an avid world traveler with a passion to explore new cultures, people, and customs. One of the most impactful experiences was my first trip to Afghanistan after 3 decades of war. Meeting people who have nothing in the eyes of the developed world, yet who live full of hope for the future. I used to think unless you can help in a big way, you couldn’t contribute enough. That trip changed my point of view to one that has stayed with me: every single one of us can make things happen in whatever way big or small. That is my ethos. Johanna: In all honesty, meeting my husband and becoming part of his family in Tunisia (North Africa) has probably been the greatest impact on who I am. It has opened my eyes to the world. It has changed how I see myself. It has opened me up to a totally different culture. And, it has exposed me to a different way of life. It made me painfully aware of what I was taking for granted. And, it also gave me more desire to do good. IFD: What was the impetus for starting bgood Collective? Rabia: Having worked with both small and large companies over the course of my career, I have realized that bringing change to organizations tends to be a slow and inefficient process, but it doesn’t have to be. The common element in driving successful change is agility and open-mindedness. That is where I have seen organizations thrive, and that is what I want to help bring to companies. Having lived in many countries growing up, I see the world as interconnected with all of us having a collective responsibility to bring positive impact in what we do. The fashion industry has a long way to go in thinking about the world as a global community and acting with a sense of urgency to adopt sustainable practices—both social and environmental. Social enterprises on the other hand exist for a purpose, but need sustainable growth to drive their impact further. That is where I wanted to bring my two passions together—driving change in my own way. Photo by Brandon Wilcher for Sita NYC IFD: What is your vision for the business? Rabia & Johanna: To make sustainability achievable/accessible and a core component of every organization. We will do this by managing change for organizations and helping to develop, launch and grow sustainable practices in the fashion industry and by helping to develop and implement sustainable growth initiatives for social enterprises. IFD: Who are some of your clients? Rabia &Johanna: Our clients range from a fashion e-commerce business looking to expand their sustainable business model to other brands as well as develop new revenue streams, to the launch of a sustainable fashion apparel brand, to a female empowerment non-profit looking to launch a social enterprise focusing on women entrepreneurs, and an existing social enterprise with a mission to eradicate human trafficking looking to grow and expand their enterprise and revenue model. IFD: And who would be a potential client for you? Rabia & Johanna: Small or mid-size fashion companies looking to incorporate sustainability into their business model or looking to expand their sustainability initiatives. Companies who are looking to implement initiatives, but may not have the resources. Companies need to make a pivot or manage through a crisis. Social enterprises who want to scale their models. Non-profits who want to start or expand a social enterprise. What is your process when working with a client? We guide clients through different phases of change management and business strategy and use our collective approach to collaborate with clients one on one to create customized solutions and strategies that best fit their needs: Define and Assess where they are and where they want to go Create Solutions – Collaborate closely to develop strategies, and roadmaps and identify resources Activate – Partner with them to roll out and implement strategies Manage Initiatives as an outsourcing partner IFD: What should clients know before working with you? Rabia & Johanna: They need to know that they should be building sustainability in their business practice….that is it! We can then help them whether it is to give them. an overview and understanding of what and how, to actually build, roll out, and execute the initiatives. Also if a company is looking to pivot or expand its business, we will drive and manage the change. IFD: What are the top five reasons to use your services? Rabia &Johanna: If you are a small or mid-size organization without resources to support sustainability initiatives— We will be your outsourced partner. If you have minimal resources to dedicate—We will be an extension of those resources without the full-time investment or be a new resource to help accelerate new strategies. We are not “consultants”—We will partner with you 1 on 1 based upon your needs to develop, implement and execute as well as manage long term. We bring years of experience, skills, and leadership with an approach that is entrepreneurial, collaborative, and agile. There is nothing traditional in the way we operate…including our fee structure We are change agents who execute with you. We don’t just give “advice” and walk away. IFD: What are your desires for the industry and its future? Rabia &Johanna: All industries whether fashion, non-profit or other work collaboratively to get to a more sustainable future in our world. Not as a one-time crisis-driven initiative, but as a permanent practice. Do you want to make your business more sustainable and eco-conscious? Need someone to help you plan and execute? Reach out to bgood collective by visiting their website: www.bgoodcollective.com Thank you Rabia and Johanna for sharing your business and mission!