It is officially
National Recycling Week in Australia
13th – 19th November 2023
🛍️ consider your fashion consumption 👠 resist impulse sale purchases 🗑️
♻️ reduce waste within your home by 🧵 repairing much loved items 👗
🎁 return unwanted purchases 👕 reuse or restyle old tees or jeans 👖
🐕 recycle old sheets or towels to your closest veterinary clinic or animal shelter 💚
Click on the clips to watch some great initiatives to inspire you to step up:
Charitable Recycling Australia
Make a good deed GREAT!
14/9/2023
Great shifts are occuring within the Australian textile industry!!! With yesterday’s email from the Charitable Recycling Australia announcing the Department of Environment and Science (DES) initiative to change behaviour with the dumping of unusable donations on charity organisations.
The campaign ‘Make a Good Deed Great’, “refines and implements the next step of the 3-point behaviour change concept developed by DES on behalf of the charitable reuse sector: Plan. Donate. Dispose”.
Latest read …
Thinking Through Fashion : A Guide to Key Theorists
edited by Agnes Rocamora and Anneke Smelik
09/09/2023
I love new library editions and bending the spine of a new paperback … this weeks arrival of ‘Thinking Through Fashion’ should provide some food for thought on which direction to take my PhD studies in 2024.
Economic Naturalist Writing
QUESTION:
Is it possible to deter consumers from purchasing fast fashion, while the marginal costs are low, and the marginal benefits are high?
28/8/2023
A constant, and global demand for trend driven fashion items, sees the textile industry cater to the unlimited wants of fashionistas. Providing quick to market apparel, at a significant cost to the supply chains[1], and to the planet[2]. Fashion brands, driven by capital growth, oversupply the market. Customers, driven by scarcity, overconsume. Each with a lack of consideration for their environmental footprint[3].
The Australian Fashion Council’s ‘Seamless Clothing Stewardship’[4] (2023), called for a 4-cent levy[5] per garment, to be paid by foundation members. This marginal change to the cost of a garment will, undoubtedly be passed on to the buyer. Therefore, the marginal benefit of this transaction remains the same. Will fashion brands respond to incentives offered in joining the scheme, or will government regulation[6] be required?
To change the entire hyper-capitalist[7] system that the fashion industry is built on, would be near impossible. It is viable, however, to demand an ethical shift within the industry. Supply chains within garment producing nations[8], must unite to drastically increase unit prices[9]. Deterring fast fashion brands, to abstain from this previous economic principle of business, and shift to a cost-benefit analysis (CBA) model[10]. Policy objectives such as ‘Extended Producer Responsibility’ (EPR)[11], aim to reduce textile waste and provide sustainable considerations required to shift the industry to a slow fashion[12] model. Industry practices such as designing for the environment, ecolabelling and sustainable fabrications, offer the benefit of, and enable an easy transition to a circular economy.
Proud to be a ‘Global Citizen’ and #actnow on SDG12!
23/8/2023
Successfully completing the Griffith University Leadership for Good program, I have been inspired to step up as a leader and to #ActNow!
Industry shifts towards SDG12: Responsible Consumption and Production are long overdue!
And with a Common Purpose to take action, we as the industry need to step up, lead and develop programs to change consumer behaviour.
It is our responsibility as Global Citizens!
How can you take action TODAY?
Ellen MacArthur Foundation
THE JEANS REDESIGN
3/8/2023
Following the ‘The Jeans Redesign’ for quite sometime now. I was super excited to receive the Ellen MacArthur Foundation ‘Insights Report 2021-2023′.
100 pioneers across the industry are starting or expanding their brand’s journey towards a circular economy for fashion.
My KEY TAKEAWAY from the report: “voluntary commitments alone will not be enough to enact the system-level change needed. Since governments have the power to inform, incentivise, regulate, and develop the market to enable circular products, services, and systems to succeed, policymakers also have a significant opportunity to help shape the future of fashion“.
Life CHANGING reads!
The Economics of Fast Fashion
Marina Starck
2/8/2023
Today’s focus on the market forces within the fashion industry, saw reflection on, and the correlation between:
🏭 supply/production/overproduction
🛍️ demand/consumption/overconsumption
Finding 2 great articles, sharing one via my LinkedIn profile.
The second from ATTIRE media, provided great insight:
“In order to supply this new astronomical level of consumption, leaders of fast fashion have developed vertically-integrated supply chains and sales-oriented pricing, designed to bring clothing from the sewing machine to the rack in as little time as possible. From the rack clothing then flies, in enormous volumes. The cheapness of clothing means that we are purchasing more, and that we then attach less personal value to our pieces. We have no issue discarding said pieces, therefore, into an insufficient waste infrastructure that never caught up to our rate of consumption“.
Responsible Consumption and Production
Common Purpose + Global Citizenship
30/7/2023
Completing the first week of the Common Purpose leadership and development program Global Citizenship.
Understanding the cohort’s industry experience and individual goals, solidified my own values, working towards, and achieving Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 12 within the textile industry.
As the ‘Fashion Impact Specialist’ it is my intention to advocate to brand’s to reduce the footprint of their business practices. Immediately striving to implement:
🎯 Target 12.1: “10-year framework of programmes on sustainable consumption and production”, with textile manufacturing countries and supply chains taking action immediate action.
Green Purchasing & sustainable supply chain management, requires the responsible consumption of raw materials and use of natural resources.
🎯 Target 12.2: another key objective for organisations to immediately initiate.
🎯 Target 12.4, the responsible management of chemicals and waste. Daily it seems there is new information or controversy surrounding a brand or their product.
Particularly the activewear sector, recently plagued with controversy, regarding toxic BPA and PFAS ‘forever chemicals’ within fabrications.
🎯Target 12.5: By 2030 (2025 would be better), fashion brand’s should substantially reduce waste generation through prevention, reduction, recycling and reuse. Implementing a circular business model ASAP!
🎯Target 12.6: Encouraging company’s to adopt sustainable practices and sustainability reporting goals.
With a focus on Design for Environment (DfE), proactive strategies will enable brand’s to to reduce the impact of their product on the environment.
A particular focus for me personally has been the boycott and ban of synthetic fabrications which require fossil fuels.
Synthetic textile waste can be seen from space, in Chile’s Atacama desert, as well as in West African nations such as Ghana, Nigeria, Kenya and Uganda.
I LOATHE FAST FASHION, and will continuously push for the boycott of, and ideally the restriction of this environmentally harmful subsector, and scourge on our industry.
Time to clean up our industry! A combined effort to achieve goals should be apart of all business Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) practices.
25/7/2023
It is back!!! The ‘War on Waste‘ is back on our screens tonight! This season Craig Reucassel investigates the stockpile of soft plastic in Australia, fronts up to big business to confront packaging waste, and addresses how we can tackle food waste!
I am more than excited for their focus on fast fashion! This past weekend at Splendour In The Grass the ‘War on Waste’ created a Fast Fashion Graveyard installation.
“The Fast Fashion Graveyard was built to represent the mind-blowing 227 kilos of clothing – most of it fast fashion – that end up in waste”. But did patrons take notice or consider their impact?
This is a massive problem, one that one business or one brand can NOT solve on their own! Overproduction leads to overconsumption, therefore as fashion industry players we must design for the environment (DfE).
Consciously choosing fabrications which are considered sustainable, I personally feel a shift away from synthetics is dramatically required.
Recycling only organic or natural fibres, recycling plastic bottles to create fabric or in the knitting or garments is not a viable solution and in fact the industry practice should be ended.
EDIT after watching! I am soooo happy the topic of microfibres was included. Testing Reucassel’s sample to show the bioaccumulation of microfibres within our bodies!
The discussion of this wicked problem and information becoming available to society is key to tackling and remedying this issue.
Microfibre filters MUST become legislation. For both the commercial and domestic laundering of garments and household items!
I am so proud to be a Griffith University postgraduate 🙂
National [international] Bikini Day
A truly sustainable swimwear brand …
5/7/2023
Launching #maneaterswimwear in 2010 it was always my intention to source small quantities of fabric locally to create limited run collections. Never purchasing more than 10 metres and a minimum of 3 meters. Creating magic 
and A TRULY sustainable swimwear brand 
With only 2 subjects remaining until I complete my MBA I am more than willing and available to work with brands to review their supply chains and implement cleaner production methods.
National Geographic:
Fast fashion goes to die in the world’s largest fog desert. The scale is breathtaking
By John Bartlett
Photographs by Tamara Merino
Published 11/4/2023
Delving into my MBA subject Cleaner Production and the Circular Economy, I was shook by this National Geographic article.
The imagery heartbreaking! Please head to the link below & think next time you need an outfit & buy 🙁
https://www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/article/chile-fashion-pollution
Walk Talk & Tidy
Collecting plastic waste with NightEyes Landcare
29/3/2023
After a day of researching the Great Pacific Garbage Patch and subsequent other plastic waste in the ocean, it was GREAT to start my day with the NightEyes Landcare crew and collect trash in Golden Beach.
It is surprising what you find in the mangroves … today for me I personally collected :
-> 1 single left foot flipflop/thong/plugga [Mens size]
-> 1 single left foot flipflop/thong/plugga [Childs size]
-> Synthetic [nylon] rope caught up in the mangroves
-> Plastic sheeting & bags
-> an acrylic flower
-> plastic handles from buckets
-> an eroded Santa sticker
-> many many small pieces of styrofoam
-> drink bottle lids
-> and the list goes on & on & on!
It was so surprising to find an old drink can, so old it was rusted through with barnacles attached.
I am on a mission to reduce microplastics (less than <5mm) & mesoplastics (large plastic 5–10 mm in range) from our local environment when I can.
Do your part … be conscious of what you leave behind!
Life CHANGING reads!
Mission Economy : A Moonshot Guide to Changing Capitalism
Mariana Mazzucato
27/3/2023
Gifted this book via the ‘Buy Nothing St Kilda’ facebook group (November 2022), I had not had a chance to get too far into reading.
However, today considering my innovation for impact; Chapter 5 : Aiming Higher: Mission-oriented Policies on Earth … has just BLOWN my mind! *insert mindblown emoji*
With the grand CHALLENGE of societal transformation and adaptation to climate change, how can we make behavioural change as consumers?
World Water Day
22/3/2023
Today we celebrate World Water Day! And what perfect timing! I am currently delving deep into microfiber pollution with our oceans, and what we can do to stop it from happening further!
World Water Day is a United Nations initiative and aligns with Sustainable Development Goal 6. Clean water and sanitation for all, is seen as a basic human right for some, but what about developing economies?
Have you ever thought about the water that is use in the making of your clothing? Or if the manufacturer provides clean drinking water or sanitation to their workers?
- 6.1 – Safe drinking water for all
- 6.2 – Sanitation for all
- 6.3 – Better water quality
- 6.4 – More efficient water use
- 6.5 – Integrated water management
- 6.6 – Healthier ecosystems
- 6.A – International cooperation
- 6.B – More local participation
Green X Talks
The inaugural Green X Talks in Caloundra
15/3/2023
It was an honour to be at the inaugural GreenXTalks conference on the Sunshine Coast. The event held by Cleantech Industries included core themes of:
-> ECO-tourism
-> GREEN finance
-> SUSTAINABLE procurement
-> CLIMATE innovation
With many highlights & take aways from the event, Stewart Moore from EarthCheck, delivered an inspiring session as the Opening Keynote speaker.
All speakers within Session 2 – Green Finance were inspiring, but I would Pollyanna Darling from Carbon Positive Australia, delivered information that was pertinent to my current business transition from ‘swimsuit designer’ to that of the ‘fashion impact specialist’.
Session 3, was definitely where it was at for me with Chamber of Commerce and Industry Queensland (CCIQ) representative Heidi Cooper encouraging participants to sign up to the EcoBiz progam.
Planet Ark Environmental was to follow with Nicole Garofano inspiring with stories of the company’s sustainable acquisition and growth achievements.
However, it was Dr Clinton Schultz from Sobah Non-alcholic beverages, who received the standing ovation. His insights on First Nations business practices were highly emotive, but addressing racism on their social media was heartbreaking!
Keep fighting the good fight Dr Schultz!!!
Another highlight that needs an honourable mention was in Session 4 – Climate Innovation and Dr Alexandra Campbell from UniSC! Such an engaging speaker! She had me wanting to overcome my immense fear of sharks & don a wetsuit to planet seaweed 🙂
Closing Keynote from the GreenXTalks, was One Million Women founder Natalie Isaacs!
It was inspiring to hear how her life as an entrepreneur pivotted dramatically!
& here is to ONE MILLION women rising!
I purchased her new book ‘Right Here Right Now : How women can lead the way in the climate emergency’ & I am EXCITED to be one of those women! 🙂
Thank you again to Cleantech Industries Sunshine Coast for a GREAT event!
Australian Fashion Council
I MADE THE PLEDGE!
16/3/2023
Australia’s clothing industry is responsible for more than 200,000 tonnes pa of Australian landfill waste.
Whether you’re a brand, organisation, government agency or individual, we need collective action to work towards eliminating clothing waste in Australia.
I’ve made the pledge to join the journey towards clothing circularity and I hope you’ll join me.
Make the pledge: https://ausfashioncouncil.com/pledge
Fashion Impact Specialist
Excited to release our new logo
1/3/2023
Creating a new logo, my vision was to incorporate a fabric panel with text. I love how the logo turned out! Denim background with true stitch detail, and patch overlay.
The sacred earth inverted triangle with zigzag stitch line running through it horizontally. It would not be me if I could not pay homage to my swimwear background with some twin needle stitch detail.
Even with the 3 versions of font, I just loved it so much! The banner needed to stand out! I am so happy with the end product!
Cleaner Production and Circular Economy
Back to School!
6/2/2023
In preparation for my next MBA subject: Cleaner Production and Circular Economy has me engrossed in ‘Recycling from Waste in Fashion and Textiles : A Sustainable and Circular Economic Approach’.
Realising I much prefer having a hard copy in my hand rather than Adobe Digital … I have found I actually have 2 copies of ‘The Fashion Business’ from Dario Golizia in my library.
Would anyone care for a book swap? What is a MUST read? 📖
Asia-Pacific Greens Federation (APGF)
23/1/2023
My passion as an advocate for the Australian Greens is well publicized within this platform. Recently I have expanded my connections throughout Asia-Pacific.
With many years working alongside countries such as India and Bangladesh, it brings my much joy and pride that there is a Green local government candidate in Pakistan this year.
Erum Saleem Khan, is apart of this global greens movement. And is the first female candidate for her party.
Apart of the Asia-Pacific Greens Federation (APGF) she has received mentorship, finding her voice and confidence to represent Pakistani women.
“I want to stand in the national elections. My aim is to become a parliamentarian. Because if you do not like politics, then you must change it. You can change your society. And now I have that chance, I also have this responsibility. I have a platform – I must use it.”
Please consider giving to her campaign on the link below:
18/2/2023
So excited! My new business venture is ALIVE! & so is my website!
Relocating to Melbourne end June 2022, for a short time contract, it was a short time but a GREAT time!
It was clear to me that my priority was to return to consulting, and so the ‘fashion impact specialist’ was born, on the 11th November 2022.
Returning to Queensland, and transferring from intensive mode MBA studies to trimester mode.
I was excited to move into my remaining subjects start 2023.
My intention behind this blog is to share insights on my journey to end greenwashing, educate fashion brands that recycled fabric does NOT equal a sustainable brand, and to pave the road for Cleaner Production (CP) production methods within the fashion industry!
Standby for GREATness … as Lewis Howes would say 🙂
hello@fashionimpactspecialist.com