Best commonthreads Podcasts (2024)

1
EP. 37 Ways of Caring from State of Fashion Biennale 2022 41:17

2y ago41:17

41:17

We’re back for a special bonus episode, to give you the inside scoop from The State of Fashion Biennale 2022 in Arnhem, The Netherlands. This unique event is co-curated by Fashion Open Studio and Not Enough Collective. Every day the range of activities is different and brought to life together by creators and visitors. Think of it as a big, interac…

1
EP. 36 Fashion as a Social Enterprise with Birdsong 32:34

2+ y ago32:34

32:34

What does being a game changer in fashion really look like? For the final episode of series three, we’re chatting to the founders of sustainable brand Birdsong, about their social enterprise model and how fashion can be a force for good. As well as our conversation with Birdsong’s founders Susanna Wen and Sophie Slater, we also chat to their embroi…

1
EP. 35 Inclusivity in Sustainability with Ngoni Chikwenengere of We Are Kin 24:04

3y ago24:04

24:04

Fashion can't be truly ethical if it's not inclusive. This week we're chatting to Ngoni Chikwenengere from size-inclusive brand We Are Kin about why inclusivity matters, and what fashion’s big players can do to get there. You can read more of Ngoni’s work over on her blog, and you can keep up with We Are Kin’s latest designs on Instagram. Common Th…

1
EP. 34 Unraveling the Journey of a Garment with Maxine Bédat 33:09

3y ago33:09

33:09

Do you ever think about the full life cycle of your clothes? This week we’re unraveling the journey of a garment with the wonderful Maxine Bédat, author and founder of the New Standard Institute. We chat with Maxine about the lifecycle of our clothes, the cycle of trends and seasons, the fascinating research for Maxine’s new book, and what shoppers…

1
EP. 33 - Appropriation or Appreciation? Cultural Sustainability with Monica Boța-Moisin 40:13

3y ago40:13

40:13

Is it ever OK to use the designs of a community that’s not your own? Today we’re exploring the issue of cultural appropriation, and what it means for the Indigenous communities that designers and brands like to ‘take inspiration’ from. To help us digest this meaty issue we’re joined by the wonderful Monica Boța-Moisin, a cultural IP rights lawyer, …

1
EP. 32 What does Transparency have to do with Fashion? 25:12

3y ago25:12

25:12

If we can't see it, we can't fix it, and that's why transparency is essential for a fairer fashion system. This week's episode is a solo chat between Alice and Ruth, breaking down the Fashion Revolution Transparency Index results for 2021, and exploring what the future of fashion transparency might look like. We also touch on wokewashing, and how C…

1
EP. 31 Sharing is caring with Aisling Byrne and Kalkidan Legesse 43:16

3y ago43:16

43:16

This week we're talking about a topic that is fundamentally transforming the way we consume fashion, and it’s called the sharing economy. We're joined by two guests helping us explore how we can make our wardrobes accessible to others, and what that means for making the industry more sustainable. First up we chat to Aisling Byrne, founder of peer-t…

1
EP. 30 F**k the system: How to transform fashion with Mairi Lowe 22:57

3y ago22:57

22:57

You'll often hear us talk about how the fashion system needs to change, but what exactly is a system? We're breaking down what a more equitable fashion landscape could look like with systems expert and Sustainable Fashion Scotland co-founder, Mairi Lowe. Listen to our conversation with Mairi to learn what the 'fashion system' is, how to fight the f…

1
EP. 29 Is Ethical Fashion Out of Touch? 33:25

3y ago33:25

33:25

Common Threads is back for Series Three! In this solo episode, Ruth and Alice explore all their gripes with ethical fashion. From not serving everyday families to the difficulty of investing in clothes for life, this is an episode for anyone who’s felt like the world of sustainable style doesn’t quite cater for them. Common Threads is an ethical fa…

1
EP. 28 Who Made My Fabric? Fashion Revolution Week 2021 12:34

3+ y ago12:34

12:34

Welcome back for a special mini episode to mark Fashion Revolution Week 2021. Now in its eighth year, Fashion Revolution Week is designed to bring the global community together to demand change within the fashion industry. You have likely already seen the hashtags #WhoMadeMyClothes and #WhatsInMyClothes, and this year the focus is on #WhoMadeMyFabr…

1
EP. 27 How to Start an Ethical Fashion Brand with Lora Gene 45:09

3+ y ago45:09

45:09

It’s the final episode of series two, and today we’re exploring the role of ethical brands in changing the fashion system. We’re asking: can an organic cotton t-shirt really save the world? We’re also joined in conversation with the brilliant Lora Nikolaeva. As the owner of the ethical brand Lora Gene for over 10 years, she has a lot to say on the …

1
EP. 26 Loved Clothes Last with Orsola de Castro 41:33

3+ y ago41:33

41:33

This week we’re joined by the co-founder of Fashion Revolution Orsola de Castro, as she releases her new book: Loved Clothes Last. Fashion Revolution has been instrumental in bringing the ethical fashion conversation into the public eye, and Orsola’s passion and knowledge for this subject is second to none. Listen to our conversation for an insight…

1
EP. 25 Transforming Textile Waste with Zero Waste Design Online 34:16

3+ y ago34:16

34:16

What if instead of managing fashion waste, we designed it out instead? Today we’re chatting with two people working to help small-scale sewers and bigger brands alike do exactly that, by focusing on zero waste systems that incorporate the whole supply chain. Holly McQuillan is a researcher at the Swedish School of Textiles and co-author of Zero Was…

1
EP. 24 Mending a Broken System: The Power of Clothes Repair 34:40

3+ y ago34:40

34:40

Repair is revolutionary, and today we are joined by two experts in this field to explore the power of sewing in combating the fast fashion system of consumption. First we spoke to Ros Studd, the creator of the free online resource for beginner sewers, Repair What You Wear. Since launching during the first lockdown, thousands of people have used her…

1
EP. 23 Speaking truth to power with Bel Jacobs 29:38

3+ y ago29:38

29:38

If you liked this episode and you want to support our work, you can buy us a Ko-Fi here. Welcome back to the second half of season two. Today we’re looking at the role of activists within the fashion industry itself, and how we can all ‘stay with the trouble’ to keep the conversation going, even when brands don't want to hear it. Our guest is Bel J…

1
EP. 22 True or False? Let's Bust Some Ethical Fashion Myths! 33:55

3+ y ago33:55

33:55

If you enjoyed this episode and you want to support our work, you can buy us a Ko-Fi here. To round off 2020, here’s a solo episode from Ruth and Alice looking at the six biggest myths surrounding ethical fashion. Here are the misconceptions we cover: Ethical fashion is really expensive Ethical fashion isn’t stylish Made in the UK guarantees clothe…

1
EP. 21 Sustainability, but Make it Sparkle with Uzma Bozai 22:21

3+ y ago22:21

22:21

In an ode to what should be the Christmas party season, we’re chatting all things sequins and embellishment in this episode. Most of us know that plastic sequins are a sustainability nightmare, but have you ever thought about the people who sew on those adornments? To chat about the role of these hand workers we’re joined by Uzma Bozai, whose epony…

1
EP. 20 The True Cost of Jewellery with Audrey Migot-Adholla 44:00

3+ y ago44:00

44:00

Have you ever thought about who makes your jewellery? This week we’re exploring the ethics of our necklaces, earrings, and other adornments, with Audrey Migot-Adholla. Audrey is the founder of Yala Jewellery, the only jewellery company which is a certified B-Corporation in the UK. She's incredibly passionate about social justice, circularity and su…

1
EP . 19 An Anti-Capitalist Guide to Fashion with Tansy Hoskins 44:17

3+ y ago44:17

44:17

‘Tis the season to consume! As we approach Black Friday and Christmas, we’re exploring if capitalism and ethical fashion can coincide, with the help of journalist and author Tansy Hoskins. Tansy also chats about the ethics of our footwear, and why she’s quit Instagram for good. Follow Tansy on Twitter, shop her books ‘Stitched Up: The Anticapitalis…

1
EP. 18 Making Fashion Circular Again with Lynn Wilson 32:16

3+ y ago32:16

32:16

Can fashion really be ethical unless it's circular? This week, we're chatting with circularity expert, Lynn Wilson, about why fashion needs to be a 'closed-loop system', and why we should value access over ownership. Lynn explains the reality of textile recycling and zero-waste design, how we as consumers can get more circular, and what fashion has…

1
EP. 17 Building an Ethical Influencer Economy with Besma Whayeb 42:34

3+ y ago42:34

42:34

What does it mean to be an 'ethical influencer'? In this episode, we chat with Besma Whayeb, sustainable fashion and lifestyle blogger at Curiously Conscious, and founder of the Ethical Influencers network. Besma shared with us her feelings about influencers’ role in the ethical fashion conversation, the issues of the Instagram echo chamber, and ho…

1
EP. 16 How to Break Up with Fast Fashion with Lauren Bravo 40:00

3+ y ago40:00

40:00

We’re back for series two, with writer Lauren Bravo as our first guest. As the author of ‘How to Break up with Fast Fashion’, Lauren chats to us about her personal journey to a more sustainable wardrobe, as well as actionable tips for people looking to quit fast fashion for good. Follow Lauren on Twitter and Instagram, and purchase her book via all…

1
EP . 15 Why it's OK to be Imperfectly Ethical 23:57

4y ago23:57

23:57

It's the final episode of series one of Common Threads! In this solo episode, Ruth and Alice explain why changing the fashion system isn't the responsibility of individuals, and that it's OK to be 'imperfectly ethical' on our quest to become more conscious consumers. We're taking a break until October 2020, when we'll be back with more brilliant gu…

1
EP . 14 This Old Thing: How Vintage Fashion Can Save the Planet 41:50

4y ago41:50

41:50

Today we're exploring the topic of vintage fashion. With enough clothing already on the planet to last six generations, we look at how wearing old clothes is the future, and why supporting vintage brands is a feminist issue. We also welcome two brilliant vintage shop owners to chat with us about why consumers should get on board with the retro revo…

1
EP. 13 Fashion Diversity: Why Representation Matters with Ronke Fashola 40:01

4y ago40:01

40:01

Fashion is racist and fatphobic, and these tropes are bleeding into the world of 'ethical' fashion too. In this episode, we chat with Ronke Fashola, founder of Love Ur Look Clothing, about her experiences of racism in the industry, how brands can do more than performative allyship, and why moving beyond fashion diversity towards actual representati…

1
EP. 12 How to be a Fashion Activist with Mikaela Loach 31:03

4y ago31:03

31:03

In this episode we're joined by climate justice, refugee rights and anti-racism activist Mikaela Loach to talk about intersectional activism within sustainable fashion. We explore the interconnectedness of social justice and sustainability, the marginalised people left out of the fashion conversation, and the importance of system change over lifest…

1
EP. 11 Second Hand, Not Second Best: Meet a Depop Top Seller 33:51

4y ago33:51

33:51

During lockdown, thousands of us have been clearing out our wardrobes and flocking to resale sites like Depop. But building a great platform as a seller is harder than it looks. In this episode, Depop Top Seller Lauranne Borgeaux from 5th Season Vintage shares her top insider tips for making sales on the platform and explains why secondhand is not …

1
EP. 10 Would You Rent Your Wardrobe? Exploring the End of Ownership with By Rotation 36:32

4y ago36:32

36:32

Rental fashion is often cited as THE solution to fashion circularity. But with the colossal environmental impact of dry cleaning, the lack of inclusivity, and consumers' deep-rooted attitude to ownership, we're asking: is rental all it's cracked up to be? In this episode we chat to Eshita Kabra-Davies, the founder of By Rotation, to find out more a…

1
EP. 9 The V Word - Understanding Vegan Fashion with Treen 30:27

4y ago30:27

30:27

As many of us try to live more consciously, vegan diets and vegan fashion are more popular than ever. But does vegan always mean sustainable? Is all vegan leather just plastic? And how can vegan shoppers balance animals, people and the planet? We also interview Cat Anderson, owner of Edinburgh vegan clothing boutique Treen. For more updates on the …

1
EP. 8 The Future of Fashion Week: Is the Catwalk Dead? 31:13

4y ago31:13

31:13

As Fashion Weeks around the world are replaced by digital events due to Covid 19, we're asking: is the catwalk dead? In this solo episode, we chat about what's wrong with fashion weeks from a sustainable standpoint, our personal experience of both digital and physical events, the class of 2020 fashion graduates, and why designers want to rewire the…

1
EP. 7 Creating Through a Crisis: The Indie Fashion Labels Thriving in Lockdown 38:05

4y ago38:05

38:05

Shopping small is a revolutionary act. In this episode, we explore the independent makers creating garments that are 'accidentally ethical', and why some small fashion labels are not just surviving but thriving during lockdown. We speak to two designers - Rosette Ale of Revival London and Flora Collingwood-Norris - about how coronavirus has impacte…

1
EP. 6 Greenwashing 101: How to See Through the BS 32:26

4y ago32:26

32:26

Greenwashing is a term you’ll hear a LOT in the ethical fashion conversation, as well as its little sister ‘wokewashing’. But what do these phrases actually mean? How are brands greenwashing and wokewashing their way through the current crisis? And could consumers' changing needs in a post-Covid world result in more accountability from brands? For …

1
EP. 5 What's Next for Charity Shops after Covid-19? 28:26

4y ago28:26

28:26

Just in time for the re-opening of retail stores across England, we speak to Hannah Carter from Love Not Landfill to hear about the impact of Coronavirus on Britain's beloved charity shops, the future of the thrifting experience and how to get involved in the #LockdownDressUp campaign. For more updates on the ethical fashion conversation, follow Co…

1
EP. 4 PPE, But Make it Fashion: Are Face Masks Ethical? 25:11

4y ago25:11

25:11

The phrase ‘personal protective equipment’ had probably never crossed most of our lips until Covid 19, and now a face mask is being lauded as THE major accessory of 2020. But who's making these face masks, and are they being treated fairly? And why is the NHS relying on imports to protect frontline workers when the UK manufacturing industry is rari…

1
EP.3 #PayUp: Understanding the Cancelled Orders Crisis with Ayesha Barenblat 29:16

4y ago29:16

29:16

As the coronavirus pandemic first took hold, garment workers in countries like Bangladesh were some of the worst affected. We chat to Ayesha Barenblat, founder of Remake, who's #PayUp petition is campaigning for these brands to pay factories what they are due. We also discuss Lost Stock who compile unsold stock boxes to support garment workers. For…

1
EP.2 What the Hell is Ethical Fashion? The Glossary Episode 41:58

4y ago41:58

41:58

Do you know your organic from your fair trade? What about the definitions of ‘greenwashing’ and ‘transparent’? And can fashion truly be called ‘sustainable’ if it’s not ethical? In this episode Alice and Ruth provide you with their take on ‘ethical fashion 101’, offering a glossary of the key terminology you’ll see as a conscious consumer. For more…

1
EP.1 From Fast Fashion Addicts to Conscious Consumers 23:22

4y ago23:22

23:22

In our first episode, we share our personal journeys from former fast fashion addicts to conscious consumers and ethical fashion activists. We touch on the current state of ethical fashion in 2020, including greenwashing, fashion’s impact on the climate crisis, the role of garment workers, and the business models of fast and slow fashion. For more …

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