Meet Ethical Fashion Festival featured designer: Zazi Vintage Sometimes, the most beautiful partnerships start with the smallest of efforts- 7 dresses, no industry context, no connections… but a community of women with a love for the artisanal craft. One of the more stunning metaphors Zazi Vintage uses to describe its mission is “weaving stories of women together through cloth.” They take this concept seriously, only making moves in their company when it’s coming directly from the mouths of those in need across the global community they serve. Focusing on the magic of fashion, Zazi Vintage creates designs collaboratively with partners from across the world- independent female-led social enterprises around the world. From India and Afghanistan to Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and beyond. "...traditionally every mother teaches her daughter how to embroider suzanis. I learned it from my mother, and she learned it from her grandmother. Sometimes you even pass down the same suzani cloth from generation to generation. Each mother embroiders new wishes onto the empty spaces and it becomes dense with all the wishes of your ancestors." - by Tahmina from Ozara These collaborations start with creating a connection and listening- then they move, together into a process of design, sourcing, dyeing, weaving, and tailoring. All of this puts Zazi in a place where they can truly understand what these communities need- and therefore, how to better be a partner in sustainability alongside them. Learn more and see their full collection at: https://zazi-vintage.com Zazi Vintage 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 🔦🛍 Our designer showcase and virtual series showcasing the amazing designers, ambassadors, and partners helping us celebrate ethical fashion this holiday season. 🍿 Later in the month, we’ll hear directly from makers, social enterprises, and ethical fashion powerhouses through a docu-style video series. Tell your friends, turn on our IG post notifications and buckle up for a holiday 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 Learn about ethical, sustainable makers and brands. See behind the scenes, hear stories, connect with our community and see the makers at work

Take a peek behind the scenes of Ma-Wovens. Featured in our Ethical Fashion Festival, Kelly Peyton shares how her love of yoga and handwoven goods sparked her idea to create a rug using traditional weaving with modern materials. With a passion and mission to use sustainability and understand every step of the supply chain, Ritual Rug & her business was born. In our fireside chat with Kelly, she shares her journey, the struggles of finding her way, and working through an idea she couldn't get out of her head. Kelly traveled from Mexico to India to work through this idea, leading to prototypes and, finally, the launch of her brand. Come along on this inspirational journey and gain insights and inspiration from Kelly and why the ritual rug should be your go-to yoga mat. Like this article? Please share & Follow us to help us reach more people about Ethical, Sustainable, and Conscious Fashion. Instagram, Facebook, Linkedin, Pinterest, Twitter

May 2022 Dear Readers, How are you all managing in the face of this Coronavirus pandemic? I hope and pray you and your families are healthy & doing well. Somedays are harder than others to stay motivated and positive, but I firmly believe there is a silver lining to EVERYTHING that happens in life. The way I see it, we are being given the opportunity to "RESET", personally, professionally, and mentally. As usual, I have a long list of TO-DO's and now during this "Stay home, Save Lives" order in place, I am able to tackle some of those neglected items. Included are finding ways to connect on a more personal level with old friends, family, and even my spouse who often gets put on the end of the list due to the never-ending responsibilities. Let's take advantage of this time to reset our priorities, focus, our goals, and plans for the future....how will you pivot and shift your thinking for your work? Your family? Your personal goals? What can you do now that you didn't have time for previously or are just procrastinating on? What can you do now that will have the biggest impact on your personal and professional life? Do you know what your ONE THING is or do you need to discover it? If so, take this time and allow yourself to breathe, meditate, read and discover...what is your One Thing and how do I get there? If you're anything like me when it comes to adding ideas and projects to your to-do list, it is never-ending. Somedays I just don't know where to start tackling them! As a creative, I seem to be continuously inspired by ideas I wish to explore, but I have to remind myself to focus on the most important tasks and what will make the biggest impact toward that goal or project. I can quickly jot down an idea on a sticky note for later exploration, but in order for me to maintain focus on the priorities at hand, reminding myself of "The One Thing" keeps me on track. In an effort to focus in on "The One Thing", there is a wonderful book written by Gary Keller entitled, The ONE Thing: The Surprisingly Simple Truth Behind Extraordinary Results. I read the book and it has helped me greatly. Now when I face my day knowing that I'll be juggling multiple tasks and deadlines (or even now when stuck at home), I ask myself what is the One Thing that I can do right now that will make the biggest impact on my goal. Now is the perfect time to read this and learn about finding that focus, what that one thing is and how to make actionable steps that will lead you toward your goal. In addition to the book, check out Zen Habits The One Thing by Leo Babauta. Zen Habits is a favorite blog site I have been following for years. Below is Bauabuta's simple solution to effectively and efficiently make our way through our ever-growing lists of tasks. It's an absolute must-read. Highlights from LEO BABAUTA's Zen Habits "Most of us have that One Thing on our task list that is the most important thing on the list, that would be the most meaningful … and yet we’re not doing it. The One Thing is so meaningful and important that it brings up a ton of uncertainty for us, and causes us to avoid, run, distract, comfort, and procrastinate. It’s an old habitual pattern. So how do we deal with this uncertainty and habitual avoidance? I’ve been working on a 3-step method for this, very simple and it improves with practice. So here’s the simple (not always easy) method: Create a space. Put aside all the messages, social media, distractions, smaller tasks, organizing, and tidying, and checking on one more thing. Instead, have a small space (even just 10-15 minutes) for this important task, and nothing else. You can do it now: set aside the next 15 minutes for this task, and tell yourself this is the only thing you’ll do for the next 15 minutes. It’s that easy. Meditate on meaning & feelings. For just a minute, mindfully drop into your body and feel your fear, resistance, frustration, and overwhelm. Let yourself feel it fully. Then let yourself feel the love you feel for those who you’ll be served by doing this task. Do they matter to you? (It might be you, loved ones, customers, a team, the world, etc.) Let yourself fully feel what you feel for them as if your heart were wide open. This step only has to take a minute or two. Do the smallest next step. Now pick the smallest action you can take to get the ball rolling with your meaningful task. If you have a paper to write, can you just focus on writing a few paragraphs? If you have to do your taxes, can you just get your documents together? If you have to organize your house, can you just organize one drawer? Get moving, translating your love into a small action. And repeat. It’s that simple! With this method, you’ll connect to the deeper reason you want to do the task, along with the fears that are coming up for you that are making you run from the task. With this connection, you’ll be much more able to move into it. Once you are ready to move into the task, picking the smallest next step (instead of a huge step) allows you to move in with a lot more ease, and get the ball rolling. Then you can do the next small step after that … or throw in another short meditation to feel connected again. Over and over, this method helps with your meaningful tasks, your One Thing that you’ve been wanting to do but dreading and putting off." The ONE Thing: The Surprisingly Simple Truth Behind Extraordinary Results During this historical moment in our lives, give yourself this time to reflect- TIME is a gift that we never have enough of. It is the perfect time to define your One Thing, to work towards those tasks that will get you closer to it, and in the end, get to those extraordinary results we are all striving for. To get a copy of this book, you may find it here: The ONE Thing: The Surprisingly Simple Truth Behind Extraordinary Results I wrote this post using the method, with love, Britta

In our recent post about The New Cotton Project, we learned that Stella Mccartney for Adidas released this gender-neutral tracksuit, using the fibers created as part of the New Cotton Project. Made available October 2022 at www.adidias.com To learn more, read the full article by Carolina Sandeman at Futureworld here: Love these styles! Is there a way you can implement this new fiber into your future work? Like this article? Please share & Follow us to help us reach more people about Ethical, Sustainable, and Conscious Fashion. You can find us here: Find us here: Instagram Facebook Linkedin Pinterest Twitter

From The New Cotton Project; Original article Written by Muchaneta ten Napel Today I am sharing a wonderful project I stumbled upon while doing research on Fashion Circularity. There are many great things happening with new technologies, regulations, and collaborations to achieve circularity in fashion. Did you know that the EU has passed a policy called the EPR- Extended Producer Responsibility? This requires brands to a significant degree of responsibility for the environmental impacts of everything they produce, taking the whole life-cycle of garments and accessories into account. They have set goals to reach by 2030 and are implementing pathways to help companies achieve these goals. So moving forward, initiatives like The New Cotton Project are going to be instrumential in achieving these goals. Now, on to this great new project! What is The New Cottom Project? "The New Cotton Project is a three-year multi-stakeholder project that will harness cutting-edge chemical recycling technology to pilot and scale circular fashion within garment production." About the project "In a world first, for the fashion industry, twelve pioneering players are coming together to break new ground by demonstrating an entirely circular model for commercial garment production. Over a three-year period, textile waste is collected and sorted, and regenerated into a new, man-made cellulosic fiber that looks and feels like cotton – a “new cotton” – using Infinite Fiber Company’s textile fiber regeneration technology. The fibers will be used to create different types of fabrics for clothing that will be designed, manufactured, and sold by the global brand Adidas and companies in the H&M Group. The project also aims to act as an inspiration and stepping stone for further, even bigger circular initiatives in the industry going forward." From The New Cotton Project "New Cotton Project harnesses collaboration and cutting-edge chemical recycling technology to create circular fashion. Discover how 12 pioneering players work together to demonstrate an entirely circular model for commercial garment production." Who are the "New Pioneering Players?" Learn more about these pioneers: Rise H&M Kipas Textiles Frankenhuis Tekstina Adidas AG Inovafil Xamk Infinited Fiber Company Aalto University REvolve Waste Rise Learn More: https://newcottonproject.eu What progress has been made so far? "Following this, Adidas and H&M group designed and manufactured styles made with the Infinna fabric in preparation for the commercial production runs. As we near the end of 2022, on the 4th of October, the project launched an Adidas by Stella McCartney tracksuit. Part of Adidas's “Made to Be Remade” collection, the unisex tracksuit was made using a blend of 60% viscose and 40% organic cotton and boasts a subtle grey and black color palette". "As the New Cotton Project passes an important milestone, Muchaneta ten Napel—Founder of FashNerd.com, Associate Lecturer at LCF, and contributor to Vogue Business and The Interline—reflects on the journey so far and some of the key learnings the fashion industry can take away from the project". Read the full article here How are Brands implementing? Check out Stella Macartneys Adidas project: "Endeavouring to extend the lifespan of products, footwear major Adidas and designer Stella McCartney have launched the first-of-its-kind sportswear garment designed to demonstrate the potential of a circular fashion ecosystem" BetaTexfash H&M's Utility Bag and Denim Want even more info? Check out this short booklet is part of the NEW COTTON PROJECT knowledge exchange series, which aims to expose the reader to the project, its milestones, and the overall experience of implementing a circular ecosystem within the reality of the European textile industry. Brief in nature, this is a gateway into the project for those interested in learning more about the process behind our collections. From valitilastudio on ISSUU What are you currently implementing, or working towards, to achieve circularty in your work? Do you have a favorite tool or resource to help you get there? Share with us...we would love to hear Like this article? Please share & Follow us to help us reach more people about Ethical, Sustainable, and Conscious Fashion. You can find us here: Find us here: Instagram Facebook Linkedin Pinterest Twitter

The Apparel Career That Began with a Twenty Five in a Million Chance As a child, Alka Chopra thought she would grow up to be a doctor. But she always took a keen interest in apparel, designing and making her own clothing since she was twelve years old. After earning her Bachelor’s in Economics at Delhi University, she applied to fashion school. Out of one million applicants, Chopra was accepted for one of only 25 seats at the newly opened National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) in Delhi, where she studied Technical Design. Her career in apparel followed, bringing her to New York City for the first time. Years later, she’s now Senior Director of Technical Design for PVH Corp, whose brand portfolio includes Calvin Klein, TOMMY HILFIGER, Van Heusen, IZOD, and more. Below, she talks about her path to the top. How did you start your career after fashion school? My first job was with a company called Associated Merchandising Corporation which was later acquired by Target Corporation. My competitor at the interview was a seasoned pattern maker and I had little hope of being chosen. I was excited when I got the job and even more that I would go to the USA for training for a month. Traveling first class as a 24-year old on my own merit was unheard of at the time. This was the first time anyone from my family was going to NYC. I was cautioned not to take 42nd Street, as it was not safe. Well, how do you do that if your hotel is on 50th and office on 40th Street? I walked daily back and forth daily from hotel and office. I got to know the city and fell in love with it. After training, I was the first person to set up the Technical Design department in India in apparel. I was responsible for all approvals. At the time Technical Design was a male-dominated field in India. I worked hard. I was persistent and partnered with the male pattern makers to eventually earn their respect. Could you share with us a few things you did to “gain respect from the men you worked with?” Give respect and get respect back always works. I knew they had several years of practical experience and could learn from them. I approached them by asking for what advice they could give me? I understood how they worked and asked what was the most challenging aspect of their job. One example- I recall was that it was difficult for them to understand fit reports (they were not fluent in English). I offered that we work together wherein I would be happy to help them translate. They taught me the differences between production and sample pattern. I would suggest alternate ways of correcting pattern but always gave them respect by asking them if it would work as I was still learning from them. Slowly they realized that the suggestions I made resulted in the right-first-time approval. After working in India for a few years I moved to NYC. I started as a measurer and rose to be a Senior Director over the years. This was not easy, as I had to prove myself. I wanted a different experience, so I moved to Dubai where again I set up a Technical Design department. The biggest loves in my job are leading and coaching, strategy, digital transformation, data analytics, change management, process improvement, and simplification. It’s all about the right work, the right place, the right people. The biggest challenges are working with teams and people who resist change and have a negative outlook. What are your goals for the future? To set your goals, one should know what your vision, mission and valuers are. I want to continue with Digital transformation and to eventually conduct all approvals digitally. Learn from other industries and adapt to Apparel. Grow to be a VP. and above. But above all, my true passion lies in making a difference in: 1- Taking fashion-forward for good 2- Continue to expand the culture of Inclusion and diversity 3- Stop animal cruelty Could you explain a bit more about “digital transformation?” Who would have thought a year ago that we could work efficiently and effectively from home 5 days a week. The world is changing so fast. Supply chains all over exponentially transformed through technology. Imagine how much faster technology will transform when we have a solution for combating COVID. These are exciting times and have forced all to think and work differently. Our industry is still in its infancy to adapt to digital tranformation. I envision there will be a time sooner than later wherein we will eliminate all physical samples. There will only be one pre-production sample prior to bulk production, just like aircrafts. You shared with us that knowing your values is important- Can you share what your values are? ” It is important to know your own Values, Mission and Vision.” Alka My Values: Compassion, dynamism, integrity, relationship, commitment and, courage My Mission: To continuously grow (spiritually) by serving and fulfilling all my obligations and doing what I ought to do My vision: To be the best servant leader Looking to clarify or define your own values? I love this article from indeed.com; 6 Steps to Discover Your Core Values– check it out to come up with your own list which will help guide you in all your decision making. https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/discover-core-values You are a leader with a proven track record; what strategies do you use to create a healthy and successful team? 1. I work with my team on their learning plans as I believe in continuous growth. Periodically I ask them how I can better support them. There is nothing more rewarding than seeing your team grow. Investing in team growth isa win-win situation. 2- Coaching is often not as easy as one may think. Coaching is what I thrive for. For me, people and connections are very important. When team members pose problems it is easy to advise and/or problem-solve. However, I believe that to grown the team, I start by asking the team to identify the root cause of the problem and provide the best solution the team could think of. We then dialogue pros and cons. I ask questions as this provokes their thinking further. This way either they come up with more appropriate solutions or additional conviction of their original solution. 3- When working on specific projects I ask for volunteer. With this approach teams take ownership. 4- We allow each other the right to point out when we are not our most positive selves. We reset and move forward. 5- Being available to my team is critical. I have an open door (these days virtual door) policy. No matter how busy I am, I ensure to give them the time they need. 6- Having fun is key to building morale and a positive environment. We celebrate birthdays, work anniversaries, baby showers and bridal showers, and holidays. Yearly we participate in a team volunteer activity. 7- Provide exposure to senior leadership by encouraging and creating opportunities. 8- Small authentic gestures like- job well done, being verbal about being a great team, and passing the compliments that others make when the team is not present in the room goes a long way in building a positive environment. 9- Allowing room for errors gives the team the freedom to take risks. Creating a safe space for the team is crucial. Developing a culture of hindsight and learning vs blaming always works better. 10- My team knows that I always have their back. 11- I don’t manage them I lead them- they manage on their own as they know how best to do their job. I prioritize and create strategies My advice, If you’re considering a career in this capacity, is to develop the following skills: 1. Leadership skills 2. High EQ 3. Cross-functional partnerships 4. Digital migration 5. Manufacturing & retail analytics 6. Vendor management 7. Product development 8. Conflict resolution Some of your most striking accomplishments are the supply chains you’ve built in Africa and areas outside of China. How did you go about finding makers in these places that are less typically tapped for apparel manufacturing? Africa was the highlight of my experience. Apparel is the second most polluting industry after petrol. The main reason is dye and high use of water. I was careful to adopt learning from my previous mistakes while setting up the Technical Design departments. As an example: from my personal experience working with suppliers from the northern part of India (20 plus years ago), each operator made an entire garment. This was inefficient both for sample making and bulk production. I knew that alone I can’t change the way of working and that setting up anything is a team effort. Working with the Bangladesh suppliers I learned that the industry was built after the city was built so the factories are in congested locations which is also why the sample rooms were congested. I learned that one has to be flexible and be mindful of the limitations of the suppliers. What were some of the challenges you faced when developing a supply chain in these areas? In my experience working with some suppliers at the time was that they did not have knowledge of garments and how they are manufactured i.e., how to sew or create patterns. The understanding was so limited that the workers thought it was good enough to have the size mentioned on the garment, but it didn’t need to match the size of the hangtag. I learned to be patient thru these challenges and educated the technical teams. It took me and my team a couple of months to build a training manual which included how to lay a garment to measure, what is each point of measure (POM), why we measure, how we measure, why, and how we fit, how to read/understand a Tech pack (TP). African suppliers can make several classifications including tops and bottoms, swim and, intimate apparel across men, women, and kids. Africa is mixed in terms of development. Some places in Africa were very modern and others where there was no infrastructure—no airport, no rail, no road and no factory. At one city I had to walk on the tarmac to board my flight. My luggage came in an open lorry. I saw cattle being traded from a distance. And in contrast, I visited a zero-liquid discharge (ZLD) facility for the 1st time in Africa which was very educational. Simply said it’s fascinating! What are some of the benefits of working with these makers? It’s duty-free, there is a shorter lead time, and, most importantly, I am proud to be part of building technical design in an environmentally responsible country. What are some things they are doing to be “environmentally responsible”? They have a Clean Water Initiative, plastic bags are banned, there are different projects planned for recycling plastic products and making the environment green as an example. Using plastic bottles for building homes, decorating, making crochet… I loved the coffee ceremony they have. They greet guests and make them sit in the special chair. They serve popcorn while women in tribal outfits make coffee in front of you. The coffee needs to be of a certain consistency and strength and is a skill they learn from their mothers.  The tradition is that one drinks 3 cups of expresso. While drinking they share stories/experiences. "Africa is a beautiful continent and in the most natural state, least touched by mankind. The air is clean, the grass is green, and the wildlife is preserved. Alka Any further words of wisdom to share? "Be agile, be flexible. Don’t let something you don’t have control overcome in the way of what you have control over. Alka’s photo journal Thank you Alka for sharing your many words of wisdom and your incredible journey!

The last time we were all together was August 2019. Now, our industry is ready, willing, and able to attend our in-person shows. Brands are slowly going back to office work and are eager to reconnect. Suppliers are ready to present their most innovative materials, components, and services at the most important sourcing show in the world. Come See, Touch and Feel Materials again. We look forward to seeing you ALL soon. This August, the world-renowned fashion trade show firm, Première Vision will appear with one of the footwear and performance industry’s longest-running and most influential trade shows, The NW Materials Show, to create an event unlike any other! The Materials Show & Première Vision Sport event takes place on August 10th & 11th in Portland, Oregon. Première Vision Sport will showcase a specially-curated selection of fifty Active and Performance Sports Apparel exhibitors from Asia, America, and Europe. It’s a designer’s dream, giving you access to textile vendors, pattern designers, and fabricators you can only find in Europe — all face-to-face with you in the U.S. It’s one-stop sourcing that’s perfect for makers and designers of leggings, sports apparel, performance wear, outdoor gear, and athleisure fashion. Here are five things you won’t want to miss! (Note: PV will only be at the Portland show). FABRIC MILLS Première Vision’s offerings include an array of fabrics like knits, wovens, synthetics and naturals, 3D fabrics, free cut, bi-stretch, 4 way-stretch, super light-weight poly, fine denier with lamination and coating, cooling fabrics, nano-chemicals, performance finishings and more — along with customized development possibilities! ACCESSORIES & TRIMS Meet manufacturers of zippers, badges, acrylic stones, resin printing technology, seamless bonding, compression bonding, and more. HIGH-PERFORMANCE MATERIALS You’ll find easy-care, stain-resistant, anti-UV, anti-bacterial, climatic, water-repellent, high-resistance, waterproof, reflecting, breathable, chlorine-resistant, fast-drying, thermal, and windproof materials! Perfect for sports apparel, outdoor and performance wear. DESIGN STUDIOS Source from original prints and patterns to buy, digital printing, sublimation facilities, exclusive designs, custom prints, and reworked vintage. THE BIGGEST MATERIALS SHOW EVER! To showcase Premiere Vision’s offerings and the Materials Show side-by-side they have expanded the show floor by 25%! That means more vendors, more materials, and more choices for you! Head to the NW Materials Show this summer for in-person sourcing from the world’s biggest and best suppliers. THE NW MATERIALS SHOW August 10-11, 2022 Oregon Convention Center Portland, Oregon USA August 17th-18th NE Material Show Hynes Convention Center in Boston, MA americanevents.com Interested in connecting with us at the show in Portland? Send us a note and we can meet you there! design@insidefashiondesign.net

What 5 things can do today to incorporate sustainability in design? Advice from industry pros During the pandemic, the major footwear and apparel sourcing trade show, The Materials Show, went online in its first-ever digital show. As part of three days of networking and education, Inside Fashion Design founder and co-founder of Creative Capital Design, Britta Cabanos, co-moderated a panel on “Sustainability in Design” alongside Jim Chi, of Cascade Management and Oregon Sports Angels. The panel featured professor and industrial designer Matthew Rhoades, eco-fashion writer Sass Brown, sustainability strategist Caroline Priebe, footwear designer, and consultant Pete Lankford, and materials designer Alex Carlson. Here is what we learned about the state of sustainability today at this very special event: 1. The Way We Teach Design Needs to Change, and It’s Starting To For decades, designers were taught to solve problems with a particular set of parameters in mind: How do you make something quicker and more cheaply? These days, questions of ethics and sustainability are moving to the forefront of design, transitioning from the realm of industry talk into the classroom, design studio, and manufacturing. The next generation of designers is already learning to consider the other aspects of design and development, and learning to think in new ways. “Everything is changing,” says educator and designer Matt Rhoades, “The modern DNA of these new designers that are coming out—they’re not just CAD producers, they’re not just graphic designers. Everybody has to be more socially conscious as to what’s happening in the world.” Rhoades says, “In the past, designers never really had any opinion about it. They just wanted to make it lighter weight or more breathable, or look better or more on-trend…I’m trying to get them to be a lot more aware of what’s happening in the bigger world, the bigger picture so that they can bring that to an infinite level within their design.” 2. Designers Can Play a Key Role In Reaching Sustainability Goals Designer Pete Lankford points out: “The design problem today doesn’t necessarily mean pattern, color or shape anymore…Really, the level of play is about solving for sustainability.” Swap in ideas like “circularity” for sustainability, or look at any option that deviates from the linear business model, and it’s time to start examining where the work of designers fits into the larger puzzle. Design moving forward needs to consider the life of the product beyond the sale to its endpoint. Thanks to their training as problem solvers, and by being there at the very start of the process, designers are uniquely positioned to help companies solve this problem. “In the absence of true strategy, product strategy, it’s up to design to be able to solve the problem for the brand,” says Lankford. How? It’s a long answer, but it one key tenet is “The rule of ‘green is a free gift with purchase’—you can’t ask them to compromise on style or value.” Designers have to build sustainability from the start, designing for durability, repairability, disassembly, and circularity. Designers must challenge the status quo. Even when asked to create something new, there are often a lot of parameters on what designers can do. Ask “Why is it complicated? Why does it need to be complicated?” and challenge the answers. Use those moments of exploration as inspiration to do something new. Then work to show that your ideas are possible. “Showing the proof of concept before things are totally baked is what kind of holds feet to the fire to get things done.” Says materials designer Alex Carlson, “A lot of the time that’s what we need so we don’t get stuck in a rut.” 3. What Comes Next Is a Paradigm Shift Lankford says, “The next thing is really a leap, a paradigm shift, to say ‘we are now going to build things that are meant to come apart, that are meant to be repaired, that are meant to be streamed on whether it’s in a synthetic or natural cycle.” He describes the footwear industry in the late 2000s as tuned for value, consistency, and scale. Things got really efficient—“It’s kind of like a Big Mac.” Those are completely different practices and goals than creating something that is entirely circular. 4. Start over. Revisit all assumptions about known materials. See how technology has changed. Lankford points out one example of a company that is developing a new kind of leather that’s engineered to be fertilizer for organic farming at the very end of life. Look back, too. Find old construction techniques that can lead to a new and better-valued product. There are a lot of things that have already been invented but weren’t appropriate at the time. 5. Here’s The One Thing We Can All Do Now The one thing we can all do today is help raise awareness. Designers and consumers alike need to start asking the hard questions—right now. Hold yourself accountable for your purchases, and encourage your friends to be aware of what’s going on in terms of fashion waste and pollution. Consumers are asking for a high level of transparency in the supply chain. Bigger brands need to rise to the occasion, and governments need textile recycling infrastructure. All of this needs bigger buy-in from the next generation. “Ask that question of ‘Why?’,” says Carlson, “Why do we have fast fashion? How can a tank top be $5?” The decisions you make now have associated costs that affect humans and the planet down the line. Want to learn more? Here are some of our favorite links, along with learning opportunities: Check out our Online Courses here From Ellen McCarthur Foundation: https://archive.ellenmacarthurfoundation.org/explore/circular-design Downloadable PDF: https://emf.thirdlight.com/link/nbwff6ugh01m-y15u3p/@/preview/1?o From Redress: https://www.redressdesignaward.com/academy/resources/guide/circularity-in-fashion Like this article? Please share! Have a favorite brand, process, or idea about Sustainable and Ethical Fashion? Please share! We are constantly curious and have a love of learning- we would love to hear your POV!

Dear IFD Readers, Today I am sharing a message from the Founder of Handful- a Portland-based bra company that we have had the privilege to work with. We adore their bras and their team so passing along this special message and discount opportunity during the month of October; Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Shop Sale items here "The hustle and heart that have defined Handful for the last 15 years are still going strong, but the ground beneath us is shifting. We find ourselves today with too much inventory, most of it arriving late due to supply chain issues. These are finally working themselves out only to collide into more new products that actually arrived on time. I am writing to you b/c we need your help to spread the word about Handful. We are working hard to keep the lights on over here and to be able to continue to support you all with the products you know and love. We are headed into an already heavy discounting season and have made the decision to cut it loose early by offering the highest discount we have ever offered. Our request is that you use this 40% off discount [CODE: GETIT40] to stock up, cross some names off your holiday lists, and SHARE THIS MESSAGE AND DISCOUNT CODE WIDELY with all the friends and family you think are Handfuls. All items located HERE are included in this discount deal. It includes full-priced seasonal items we love that aren’t on sale yet as well as sale items you can get at WTF really???? pricing! We want to continue to be the little engine that could, the sports bra company that started with the dream that there had to be something better, more versatile, a bra that supports you all day, every way from wake up to wind down and all stops in between. And even if you think you have plenty of top-quality Handfuls, remember, bras, much like running shoes, should be replaced regularly." Jennifer Ferguson View the full bra collection here Thank you for continuing to support us so we can continue to support you. All sales are final & exclude any items not found on this page: https://handful.com/collections/seasonal-blow-out. SALE ends at 12:00 am on October 31st. Not available with any other offer or promotion. Shop Sale items here Learn more about Handful and their Cause here Go Grab Life by the Handful!! Read more about Handful here

When I stumbled upon Marcella NYC, I was searching for something to wear to an upcoming fashion event. I'm a pretty basic & practical gal, so I wasn't looking for anything too fancy. In fact, my practical side is always asking....will I be able to wear this again? Can I wear this for multiple occasions, how long will it last in both style and longevity, and is it made ethically? The answer???? With Marcella's collection and astounding YES!! My first purchase from Marcella was the Whitney Jumpsuit- it is simple, stylish, affordable, great fabric, and sustainable! I love it so much I logged back in to consider additional pieces- this time a swimsuit top and bottom, The Clara Dress, the Elaina, and the Greenwich Village top, and (this doesn't happen often) I LOVED them all!! I did have one item that was too fitted for my liking, but the quality and style were still top-notch. Ok, so there are multiple reasons I personally love this brand Their core values & design philosophy Their support of women & girls The combination of European style, mixed with NYC vibe Their fabric- is all sustainable and has a great look and feel I had to wait for them to produce my order. At first, I was thinking ....why haven't I received my dress yet? HA- this isn't Amazon and in my ongoing effort to practice patience....I had to wait....oh geez...maybe 10 days??? Reminding me that they produce only what's ordered. Bonus points in my book. Storytelling: I am a designer after all I was inspired by their story, their vision, and their demand for quality and affordable pricing. I'm putting it out there in the universe that i can one day meet up with the founders, in NYC for a coffee date and a tour of their studio. They have all the elements I look for in a fashion brand today, and the goals we strive for in our own product lines. MARCELLA MISSION: DESIGN THAT MATTERS™. Four Pillars Together To Advance Women and Girls Globally A few of our current favorites: Meet Marcella below: Hear about their business model built around how fashion can have a female impact and how they strive to be leaders in the Ethical fashion movement. "Marcella women clothing brand - our goal is to revolutionize the ethics of fashion thru design and impact" Like this article? Please share! We appreciate it! Help us spread awareness about Conscious, Ethical, and sustainable fashion! Follow us here: Instagram Facebook Linkedin Pinterest Twitter

Looking for solutions to ethical and sustainable practices in your work and business? Join us for the launch of World Collective YOU'RE INVITED On October 21st, we will present our exciting new organization, and the benefits of our global services partners, and showcase how members like you can increase their sustainability efforts toward positive impacts. WORLD COLLECTIVE is a fashion lifestyle and sustainability-focused not-for-profit organization providing affordable and actionable end-to-end solutions for small and medium enterprises. Via World Collective collaborative digital platform, SMEs can implement specific and tailored solutions to transform themselves and scale their ESG efforts. World Collective's supply chain innovation hub, trailblazer solution providers on blockchain technology, carbon tracking, chemical protocol, education programs, global network, and consultants' expertise, act as a holding hand in SMEs' sustainability journey. RSVP to info@world-collective.com www.world-collective.com

By Contributing Author: Lisa Walker. Lisa created JobDreamTeam.com as a passion project to reach a wider audience and share information that will help her readers find, land, and succeed in their dream job." Most new businesses fail within five years of operation. The reason? Most owners overlook the not-so-fun parts of starting a business. This article will help you learn the ropes and get a feel for what you're getting yourself into. 1. Legal Structure When contemplating steps to start a new business, start deciding which legal structure your business will use. There are four basic structures: Sole Proprietorship Partnership Limited Liability Company Corporation. Most small businesses start with a sole proprietorship or partnership, as they're easy to set up and have few compliance requirements. With a limited liability company, you can shield yourself if your business goes bankrupt. If you're thinking of taking on investors, you may want to register as a corporation. An LLC offers personal liability protection like a corporation but is not as complex or expensive to set up. It provides significant savings for the owners. It allows for pass-through taxation, as the income and losses are passed through to the owners and taxed at their rates. An LLC also gives your business a professional image and can help attract investors. 2. Accounting and Payroll You're liable for all the taxes on your company. Otherwise, you could land yourself in trouble with the IRS, resulting in fines and liens against your business. Setting aside the right amount of your business income can be daunting, but it could save your business. Taking on payroll yourself helps you to understand all the ins and outs of the process. It helps build a strong foundation of trust and respect between you and your employees. 3. Cost Analysis and Financing You can get an idea of your startup costs from the SBA, which provides a sample cost worksheet. But costs can rise and fall due to a variety of factors, including energy bill increases, unexpected repairs, and material prices. You'll also need to account for annual license fees and compliance costs like transportation. If you're planning to launch a startup that requires significant investment, you'll need to find outside funding. Luckily, there are numerous programs designed to help entrepreneurs seeking funding. 4. Products and Marketing Your product should solve a real problem or fill a specific need, and it should be scalable to meet demand. You'll need a platform to sell your product, like a website or pop-up shop. Occasionally, the investment needed to market your business is greater than the money you'll need to create your product or service. Always spend your budget on the marketing techniques that give you the highest return on investment. 5. Sharpen Your Business Skills Strong business skills will help you understand the inner workings of businesses. Consider getting a college degree in business to sharpen your skills. Gaining the knowledge and ability to run a successful business will help you make your dream a reality. 6. Start Your Business By putting in hard work and perseverance, your business could be the next big thing. Choose a business structure, find funding, create a plan for accounting and payroll, market your products and services, and sharpen your business skills if necessary. Looking to build a sustainable, ethical, and consciously created product? Check out our Conscious Design Roadmap and Directory. To get your copy to this live document, subscribe below" Like this article? Please share! Have a comment or inquiry? Send us a note to: design@insidefashiondesign.com. Looking for more design knowledge & guidance? Learn about our online education and community for industry insights and support. Visit: