Fashion is rarely focused on fixing real problems for real people. But what if slow fashion did things differently?

The thoughtfulness and attention to quality that is embedded into the slow fashion movement can be harnessed to make genuinely better products that make these options a no-brainer IF brands understand the true needs of their customer.

In this episode, you'll hear from Karen Poirier, founder of Embrago, a bra-alternative that uses a new approach to built-in bust support that can ebb and flow with our changing bodies.

Karen shares what is wrong with most undergarments today — it's not you, it's the clothes (or undergarments)! — and the potential health implications. Plus we discuss the often overlooked technicality to good fashion and how undergarments can add to the mental load for women (and how she is hoping to change that).

We cover a lot of ground in this one, so grab a cozy drink and hit play to dive in!

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🎧 LISTEN NEXT >> EP57: Tips for Starting a Slow Fashion Brand with Selina Ho

🌿 JOIN THE COMMUNITY >> Conscious Fashion Collective Membership

💌 FOR MORE >> Subscribe to Slow Fashion Saturday

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✨ CONNECT WITH KAREN >> embrago.com

Website: embrago.com

Instagram: @embragoclothing

The declining quality of sweaters has been a big discussion in the past year, but is a reality we've been witnessing for the past couple of decades.

But what exactly is so much worse about today's sweaters and what has been going on behind the scenes that's made them so bad? And importantly, how can brands do better? What should we be looking for in a high quality knitwear piece?

We're covering all of this and more in today's Conscious Style Podcast episode with expert knitwear designer and product developer Mari Medina. Mari is the founder of April Knit Studio, a design studio dedicated to creating high-quality knitwear for fashion brands. With an extensive network of trusted suppliers and artisans, April Knit Studio offers brands access to natural materials, enabling the development of knitwear that reflects each brand's unique identity.

In this episode, Mari also discusses what an ethical supplier or artisan partnership looks like, the benefits for both the customer and the brand of keeping the same styles year over year, and the value of harnessing external expertise instead of going at it alone as a brand founder.

🎧 LISTEN NEXT >> EP44: How to Identify High Quality Clothing with Zoe Hong

🌿 JOIN THE COMMUNITY >> Conscious Fashion Collective Membership

💌 FOR MORE >> Subscribe to Slow Fashion Saturday

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🧶 CONNECT WITH MARI >>

Website: aprilknitstudio.com

Instagram: @aprilknit.studio

LinkedIn: April Knit Studio

What is the state of circular fashion today? There has been a LOT happening with circularity in textiles in recent years, which is exciting but also means that it can be tough to keep up with and to discern what the most promising signs of progress actually are.

So in today's episode, you'll hear from Cynthia Power about the state of circular fashion, 5 areas of "invisible progress" in circularity, and what fashion brands should know about implementing circularity into their value chains. Cynthia also speaks to the happiness of repair, illuminating something that doesn't get talked enough about enough — that yes, slow fashion can actually be joyful!

Cynthia Power is the founder of Molte Volte and is an expert in the fields of fashion resale, reuse, repair, recycling and design for circularity. Working in fashion for over 17 years, she spent 6 years at the helm of EILEEN FISHER Renew and two years working on the service provider side at Recurate with dozens of brands. (In fact, you can hear Cynthia speak on behalf of Recurate in episode 27!) Cynthia is also the co-host of the Untangling Circularity podcast.

Hit play to dive in!

LISTEN NEXT >> EP83: What is Circular Fashion Design? with Carmen Gama

FOR MORE >> Join Slow Fashion Saturday: consciouslifeandstyle.com/subscribe

CONNECT WITH CYNTHIA:

Newsletter: moltevolte.substack.com

Molte Volte: moltevolte.com

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/cynthia-power-24963513