Ten years ago, sisters Fatuma and Laurinda Ndenzako were sitting in a café in Nairobi, watching local women walk past in bold, vibrant Maasai Shuka textiles. That moment sparked something more than a fashion idea; it sparked a movement. A movement that would become Collective Closets, a Melbourne-based slow fashion label built on purpose, heritage, and heart.

In this episode, Fatuma shares the journey behind the brand and how she and her sister are reshaping the Australian fashion landscape, one intentional piece at a time.

In this episode you’ll learn:

• How slow fashion offers an antidote to trend-driven consumption
• What it means to design with cultural integrity
• The creative (and often chaotic) dance between business, family and values
• Why clothing can be a powerful form of self-expression and storytelling

Collective Closets is not just a brand; it’s a source of empowerment, emotional resonance, and cultural pride, creating a legacy that reaches far beyond the runway.

Want more?

Explore the newest Be Your Own Muse Collection and follow Collective Closets on Instagram or Facebook for updates that celebrate culture, craftsmanship, and bold design.

Dive deeper into Fatuma and Laurinda’s journey at Collective Closets.

Stay connected with the Let’s Check In Podcast on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and TikTok for more soulful stories and slow fashion conversations.

Life doesn’t always go to plan; so let’s talk about it.

Season 2 of the Let’s Check In Podcast is almost here, and the trailer just dropped! 🎧

Think: Cultural icons, frontline experts, raw conversations, and the lessons that school skipped.

Guests this season include:

🟣 Purple Wiggle, Lachy Gillespie

🌀 The Hormone Revolutionist, Nat Kringoudis

💬 Behavioural scientists, therapists, founders & more

We’re diving into burnout, bodies, parenting pressure, identity shakeups - and what it takes to stay steady through life’s wobbly seasons.

🎙 Episodes drop every Monday for 6 weeks, starting 28 July, 2025

📍Follow now so you’re ready when the first one lands.

Marc Gascoigne runs a successful 150-hectare, 450-cow dairy farm in central Waikato, South of Cambridge in the upper North Island of New Zealand.

Seven years ago, Marc had a panic attack that jolted him into realising he needed help. After overcoming his own mental health struggles, he has gone on to become a facilitator with the Rural Support Trust and is a key ambassador for the organisation Farmstrong - advocating for better mental health and self care for farmers.

In this episode you’ll learn:

• How finding the courage to speak truthfully builds authentic connection
• How embracing vulnerability can improve overall happiness
• Key preventative measures to manage personal wellbeing
• How to manage uncertainty

Want to find out more?

You can also check in with Suzie and the Let’s Check In Podcast Team on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn and TikTok.

Learn more about work with Farmstrong and Rural Support Trust.