Shows
Conscious ChatterAn Update From Kestrel: why she's embracing sorting, shedding and creating space & why we should welcome the in-betweens in life, sustainability and fashionEpisode 332 features Kestrel (just me!) in the second-ever solo episode of the show. With a focus on Kestrel's reemergence after having her second child, she shares some of the things that have been on her mind during this postpartum era, the power of sorting, what "release" has meant to her over this last year, what she's shedding and what's she's embracing. It's very personal, raw and vulnerable — one of the ways Kestrel always loves to connect with you all. "Maybe this whole episode is sounding disconnected from what you generally hear in the sustainability and fashion realm. Bu...
2025-08-2017 min
Conscious ChatterPersonal stylist Jennine Jacob on welcoming the multiplicity of personal style while interrogating the language we use around fashion and why that mattersIn Episode 329, Kestrel welcomes Jennine Jacob, a personal stylist and Instagram phenom, to the show. You may know Jennine from viral videos that explore the many layers of nuance connected to the power of finding your own style. "Anytime I see people quote unquote dressing for their body type, those outfits that look good, they can all be explained through style principles. The rule of thirds, contrast, proportion, texture, color theory. So why do we have to attach a value to a person's body shape when that's not even necessary? I really want to call into question...
2025-03-2544 min
Conscious ChatterKestrel on vulnerability, personal health, podcast evolutions & a question to sustainable fashion folks: are you OK?Episode 323 features Kestrel (just me!) in the first-ever solo episode of the show. With a primary focus on vulnerability, Kestrel shares some of the rollercoasters she has faced personally over the last year (from health to finances), why she and Nat are parting ways when it comes to regularly hosting the show, the true costs of producing a podcast, as well as a question on whether performative vulnerability is what we are seeing too often from the industry. "To all of you interested in sustainable fashion or those of you who work in the industry - I...
2024-10-1516 min
Conscious ChatterWhy self work is integral to advocating for transformation in fashion & why we must deeply question our personal values to truly get active in creating a more sustainable fashion futureIn episode 313, you'll hear from co-hosts (yes, co-hosts!) Kestrel Jenkins and Natalie Shehata in the launch of Season 7. This is also the first episode in which Kestrel and Nat showcase their new co-host dynamic. With this powerful community-driven change, they've teamed up to reimagine some aspects of the show. Here's what you can expect this season: Roundtable Discussions — featuring at least 2 guests per episode Focus On Making The Conversation More Circular — bringing more folks to the table to learn from various voices at the same time Monthly Themes — we'll hone in on a specif...
2024-01-161h 23
Conscious ChatterSummer Dean (@ClimateDiva) on slowing down influence & building community instead of obsessing about analyticsIn episode 265, Kestrel welcomes Summer Dean (AKA @ClimateDiva), a writer, content creator and model, to the show. Both a fashion lover and climate justice advocate, Summer has a distinct way of making these conversations educational, intersectional and fun. "My goal this whole time has been to communicate to people who aren't already in these spaces, and I think it's really important to make the climate and sustainable fashion movement as big as possible. So, for me, that means making my content funny and nuanced and stylish and accessible. But you know, I really think my personality does shine through...
2022-03-1552 min
Conscious ChatterFarai Simoyi of The Narativ on the need for safe spaces where global designers can be seen, valued, and heard & educating the next generation of fashion's leaders In episode 257, Kestrel welcomes fashion entrepreneur, Farai Simoyi, to the show. Having designed and consulted for many notable names — including Beyonce, Jay-Z and Justin Timberlake — you may also recognize Farai from Netflix's "Next In Fashion". Since that appearance, she has continued to promote her design work while elevating global artisans and designers through her company, The Narativ House. "Fashion is going in a space where it's like — how does it feel? I think fashion is going into more of a feeling space. Like does this feel good? Yes or no? Does this design make sense? Am I j...
2021-12-0752 min
Conscious ChatterMaxine Bédat on why circularity won't save us, how the origin of business was not to maximize profit & what that context tells us about the current fashion system In episode 240, Kestrel welcomes Maxine Bédat, the founder and executive director of New Standard Institute, to the show. A think-and-do-tank, New Standard Institute is dedicated to turning industries into a force for good. Maxine is also the author of Unraveled: The Life and Death Of A Garment. "The society in which we live in is very much a result of the rules of our society — in that, it is people who change the rules, who create them and can change them, I should say. And so, I think that was definitely my biggest takeaway, is...
2021-06-2245 min
Conscious ChatterBest friends Jazmine (@thatcurlytop) & Gabby (@gabrielasage) on reclaiming "influence" & finding balance as content creators and sustainable fashion advocates In episode 238, Kestrel welcomes Jazmine Rogers (AKA @thatcurlytop) and Gabby Masuda Ambata (AKA @gabrielasage) to the show. A Black + Mexican creator, Jazmine is passionate about sustainable fashion and living, and sharing about it in a fun and graceful way. A Japanese American digital creator, Gabby is focused on sustainable fashion and lifestyle, and she's also a mental health advocate. "I'm trying to reclaim the word influence because I think the word is so special and so powerful. Like I said earlier — it's such an honor to be able to influence others to do things. Like wi...
2021-06-0858 min
Conscious ChatterMATT HICKEY OF BE KIND VIBES ON KINDNESS + PLANTING THE EARLY SEEDS OF CONSCIOUS CHATTER In episode 226, Kestrel welcomes Matty Hickey, the founder of Be Kind Vibes, to the show. A social impact brand, Be Kind Vibes creates ethically-made goods that inspire love & compassion for each other and our natural world. "Kindness is a way forward for us out of these times — it's a chance for us to be able to reconnect with ourselves, and then, that way, we can kind of express that out into the world and to others. It's one of the values, one of the pillars of the brand, and it's how I guide the direction of...
2021-03-1033 min
Conscious ChatterSELINA SANDERS ON UPCYCLING, HOW FASHION CREATES CULTURE + HOW HER PHILIPPINE HERITAGE INFLUENCES THE BRAND'S AESTHETIC In episode 222, Kestrel welcomes Selina Sanders, a slow fashion artisan who makes clothing that is always one-of-a-kind and upcycled, to the show. After over a decade of working as a designer in fashion, Selina started her eponymous label to help reduce the industry's carbon footprint and build an environmentally responsible brand. "Fashion is in the business of creating culture — we are culture creators — that is an immense power that we have is the influence of creating communities in culture. And, the fact that we have an opportunity to shape what the next culture becomes is a tr...
2021-02-091h 06
Conscious ChatterROOPA PEMMARAJU ON HONORING ARTISANS + THE CRAFTSMANSHIP OF INDIA In episode 221, Kestrel welcomes Roopa Pemmaraju, the founder of her namesake label, to the show. A slow luxury fashion brand, with an emphasis on sustainability and social responsibility, Roopa Pemmaraju's collections celebrate Indian crafting techniques that have been handed down for hundreds of years. "We don't buy fabrics in bulk or we don't create the products in bulk. If we have an order today, that's when my atelier back in India would create that product, so that's why we ask our customers or our retailers to give us that much of a time, so that...
2021-01-2647 min
Conscious ChatterTHE ROOT | Episode 4 | The Future Of Fashion with Dominique Drakeford, Aditi Mayer, Terumi Murao, Kimberly Jenkins, Whitney McGuire, Akilah Stewart, Ibada Wadud, Ify Ike and Ayesha Barenblat The Root Episode 4: The Future Of Fashion is broken down in 4 lightening talk segments, hosted by Dominique Drakeford. Part 1 discuses Marketing with Aditi Mayer & Terumi Murao. Part 2 hones in on Education with Kimberly Jenkins and Whitney McGuire. Part 3 dives into Small Business Entrepreneurship with Akilah Stewart and Ibada Wadud. Lastly, Part 4 contextualizes the landscape of Policy with Ify Ike and Ayesha Barenblat. Terumi Murao is a sustainable stylist and model who works in the fashion and commercial advertising industry. She has worked previously in scientific research, luxury hospitality, and marketing for design & technology. Her curiosity...
2020-09-222h 09
Conscious ChatterKAMEA CHAYNE OF GREEN DREAMER PODCAST ON THE NEED TO DECOLONIZE "ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION" + BUILD REGENERATIVE ACTIONS INTO OUR COLLECTIVE SUSTAINABILITY GOALS In episode 204, Kestrel welcomes Kamea Chayne, the host of Green Dreamer Podcast, to the show. A Taiwanese American eco creative, writer and author, Kamea illuminates our paths to ecological regeneration, intersectional sustainability, and true abundance and wellness for all through her powerful show, Green Dreamer. "Sustainability to me isn't an individualistic pursuit for individual people or brands — rather, it's a collective goal requiring context and systemic change. In order to be sustainable, we also need to be regenerative in our actions and practices." -Kamea Chayne, Host of Green Dreamer Podcast On this week's show, Kamea sh...
2020-08-0452 min
Conscious ChatterSHAKAILA FORBES-BELL ON THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN FASHION PSYCHOLOGY + BLACK LIVES MATTER In episode 202, Kestrel welcomes Fashion Psychologist Shakaila Forbes-Bell to the show. With her area of research focused on diversity in fashion and the importance of multicultural marketing, Shakaila was among the first people in the world to hold a Masters Degree in Psychology for Fashion Professionals at University of the Arts London: London College of Fashion, and she is also the founder of the platform Fashion Is Psychology. "In the wake of the Black Lives Movement, when people are really starting to think about the lived experiences of Black people across all industries, we're definitely...
2020-07-2142 min
Conscious ChatterSAMATA, THE RED CARPET GREEN DRESS DESIGN CONTEST + HOW FASHION CAN BE MORE INTERSECTIONAL In episode 201, Kestrel welcomes Samata, the CEO of Red Carpet Green Dress, to the show. A women-led global change-making organization working from 'moment' to movement, Red Carpet Green Dress creates awareness by showcasing sustainable fashion on the red carpet. A British born Ghanaian entrepreneur, Samata is also the founder of THE TRIBE, a women's empowerment collective. "I try and choose talent that will speak to different audiences, because part of the way that I think fashion is not intersectional is by the faces it presents as the messenger." -Samata, CEO of Red Carpet...
2020-07-1553 min
Conscious ChatterVIN+OMI ON RESISTING THE TRADITIONAL FASHION SYSTEM + DOING YOUR OWN THING TO BUILD A SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS In episode 198, Kestrel welcomes Vin+Omi, award winning fashion and multi media designers, to the show. One of the leading pioneering eco fashion brands today, VIN+OMI are focused on sustainable approaches to business, design and textiles. "We don't need another fashion brand — we don't. You know, we have enough clothes, if everybody stopped production tomorrow (all fashion houses and every fashion brand stopped), we have enough clothes to last us at least 6 generations." -Omi, Cofounder of VIN+OMI On this week's show, Vin+Omi share more on the unique path th...
2020-06-181h 16
Conscious ChatterMATE THE LABEL, DRESS CLEAN + FASHION'S IMPACT ON WOMEN'S HEALTH In episode 196, Kestrel welcomes Kayti O'Connell Carr, the founder and creative director of MATE, to the show. A clean essentials brand, MATE is made sustainably in Los Angeles with nontoxic and certified organic materials. "I realized that the missing piece — a part of the sustainability conversation — is fashion's impact that it has on us as women from a health's perspective." -Kayti O'Connell Carr, Founder of MATE On this week's show, Kayti shares more on her journey of starting MATE, and how much the brand has evolved since its early days as a vint...
2020-05-1334 min
Conscious ChatterEVERLANE ON RADICAL TRANSPARENCY AND GETTING VOCAL ABOUT THEIR SUSTAINABILITY PRACTICES In episode 191, Kestrel welcomes Kimberley Smith, the Chief Supply Chain Officer at Everlane, to the show. Known for their messaging around radical transparency, Everlane prides themselves on building timeless products that are designed to last. "We can be better — I mean we're not perfect in any way. It doesn't happen overnight, and I think that's something that — our customer, just be patient, but we are listening … we really admire them, and we really want their feedback. And so, I think that that's important for them to continue to challenge us." On this week's show...
2020-03-1743 min
Conscious ChatterCLADWELL, DISCOVERING YOUR PERSONAL STYLE + WEARING WHAT YOU ALREADY OWN In episode 190, Kestrel welcomes Erin Flynn, the CEO of Cladwell, to the show. A personal styling app, Cladwell allows users to add in their clothes (without taking photos) and it will generate daily outfits personalized for their weather. "I would go to my closet and say the same thing which is, I have too many clothes and nothing to wear, which was ridiculous because I had over 450 items hanging in my closet — so, there was no reason that I should have nothing to wear." -Erin Flynn, CEO of Cladwell On this week's sh...
2020-03-1133 min
Conscious ChatterGREEN HEFFA FARMS, HEMP + REPRESENTATION IN FARMING In episode 189, Kestrel welcomes Clarenda "Farmer Cee" Stanley, a fifth generation farmer, to the show. In addition to being the CEO of Green Heffa Farms, a medicinal plant and hemp farm in Liberty, North Carolina, Cee is also a senior principal gifts officer at The Nature Conservancy's World Office. "We hustle, and the reason for that is being a black-owned farm, a black woman-owned farm — I mean, you gotta look at the numbers: 96% of all private farm land is white-owned — that leaves 4% for everybody else." -Farmer Cee, CEO of Green Heffa Farms On t...
2020-03-0744 min
Conscious ChatterG-STAR RAW ON CIRCULARITY + THEIR 100% RECYCLABLE DENIM ICONS In episode 188, Kestrel welcomes Adriana Galijasevic, the Denim and Sustainability Expert at G-Star RAW, back to the show, alongside Sofie Schop, G-Star RAW's Sustainability Director. Less than 2 years since the last time G-Star RAW came on the show, this conversation provides an opportunity to check in on the brand and how far they've come with their sustainability goals. "It's a journey of continuous improvement, and always looking for the solutions. And we always look at these challenges as actually enablers of new design, rather than looking at them as barriers or obstacles to what we...
2020-02-2634 min
Conscious ChatterDANA THOMAS + FASHIONOPOLIS: THE PRICE OF FAST FASHION AND THE FUTURE OF CLOTHES In episode 187, Kestrel welcomes Dana Thomas, the author of Fashionopolis: The Price of Fast Fashion and the Future of Clothes, to the show. A regular contributor to The New York Times Style section, Dana has also written for The New York Times Magazine, The New Yorker, The Wall Street Journal, the Financial Times, Vogue, and Harper's Bazaar, among others. She was recently named the editor-at-large for Vogue Business, which is based out of London. "They're saying from day 1 — no, we're going to start our company with this zero-waste idea, as opposed to trying to change it...
2020-02-2336 min
Conscious ChatterOLIVIA LOPEZ OF LUST FOR LIFE ON VINTAGE, INFLUENCE + EXPERIENCE OVER THINGS In episode 186, Kestrel welcomes creative consultant, writer, author and photographer Olivia Lopez to the show. Known for her aesthetics-driven Instagram presence and design-travel-and-fashion blog Lust For Life, Olivia is also the founder of Bon Weekender, an art and objects shop featuring vintage sourced from around the world. She also recently published her book "Lust for Los Angeles: A Cultural Guide to LA". "I'm spending so much more time investing in dance classes and all these other things that just provide a richer experience … I feel like that feels more sustainable than shopping … before, shopping was the...
2020-02-1228 min
Conscious ChatterTHE ENDERY, DEADSTOCK ALPACA + BUILDING SYSTEMS AROUND LEFTOVERS In episode 184, Kestrel welcomes Kelly Phenicie + Ellen Saville, the cofounders of The Endery, to the show. A brand born in Lima, Peru, The Endery plays with color using quality fibers to create lifelong knits that would otherwise have become waste. "And just the whole manufacturing system has always been built around making what you need or want, rather than using what already exists. So, it is a lot of work to get people to think and work differently. There's certainly not a blueprint for using deadstock, so we really just have to learn as we...
2020-01-2241 min
Conscious ChatterUNITED BY BLUE ON REMOVING 2 MILLION LBS OF TRASH, USING SALVAGED BISON FIBER + QUITTING SINGLE USE PLASTIC In episode 182, Kestrel welcomes Brian Linton, the founder of United By Blue, to the show. A sustainable apparel brand, United By Blue removes one pound of trash from U.S. oceans and waterways for every product sold. "This year, we'll have sold over a million products for the first time, and we'll pick up, therefore, over a million pounds of trash next year." -Brian Linton, Founder of United By Blue On this week's show, Brian shares more on what led him to have such an interest in ocean conservation from a young...
2020-01-0847 min
Conscious ChatterELIZABETH CLINE + THE CONSCIOUS CLOSET In episode 181, Kestrel welcomes New York-based author, journalist, and expert on consumer culture, fast fashion, sustainability and labor rights, Elizabeth Cline, back to the show. You may already know of Elizabeth from her widely read book, Overdressed: The Shockingly High Cost of Cheap Fashion; and she recently released a follow-up book called The Conscious Closet: A Revolutionary Guide to Looking Good While Doing Good. "The book in a lot of ways is very informed by moving away from fast fashion — so, really remembering that clothing is not a disposable good, because it just requires too ma...
2019-10-2442 min
Conscious ChatterFAIR TRADE USA + SHOPPER RECOGNITION OF THE LABEL TODAY In episode 179, Kestrel welcomes Maya Spaul Johnson, the Vice President of Apparel and Home Goods at Fair Trade USA, to the show. Certifying and promoting fair trade products, Fair Trade USA enables sustainable development and community empowerment by cultivating a more equitable global trade model that benefits farmers, workers, fishermen, consumers, industry, and the earth. "I joined Fair Trade in 2004 — like 7% of people knew what Fair Trade was in the surveys we would do and the marketing testing, and now we're over 60% of people in North America recognize that Fair Trade label." - Maya Sp...
2019-10-1135 min
Conscious ChatterNEW YORK TIMES STYLE + SUSTAINABILITY WITH ELIZABETH PATON In episode 177, Kestrel welcomes Elizabeth Paton, a reporter for The New York Times Styles section, to the show. Covering the fashion and luxury sectors in Europe, Lizzie's writing focuses on business, tech and sustainability, along with Fashion Week coverage from London, Milan and Paris. "For me, it's about being fair in my reporting, but it's also about not being afraid of blowback from a brand for writing the truth." - Elizabeth Paton, Reporter For New York Times Style On this week's show, Lizzie shares more on her background, and how she originally...
2019-09-1934 min
Conscious ChatterELIZA SLOANE JEWELRY, SCALING AS A MAKER + ULTIMATE CREATIVE FREEDOM In episode 175, Kestrel welcomes Sloane, the founder and makers behind Eliza Sloane Jewelry, to the show. Handcrafting jewelry for over 7 years, and collecting crystals and sea glass for over 20, Sloane is a master maker, and creates all of her cast pieces for Eliza Sloane Jewelry from recycled metals. "I just think that not boxing ourselves in or pigeon-holing ourselves too much — that's just what ultimate creative freedom is." - Sloane, Founder + Maker Behind Eliza Sloane Jewelry On this week's show, Sloane shares more of her journey, and how an internship sourcing vintage ge...
2019-09-0740 min
Conscious ChatterFRANK AND OAK + LISTENING TO SHOPPERS TO DRIVE CREATION In episode 173, Kestrel welcomes Ethan Song, the cofounder of Frank and Oak, to the show. Inspired by ethical and sustainable thinking and with an eye to the future, Frank And Oak has set out to create clothing that is made for good living. "So I think that for us, the idea is actually to create a deeper relationship with our customers, and make sure that we really understand them before we create something." On this week's show, Ethan shares more on how his entrepreneurial dreams led him to the fashion industry, and how...
2019-08-2126 min
Conscious ChatterTHE PSYCHOLOGY OF FASHION + WHY WE WEAR WHAT WE WEAR In episode 171, Kestrel welcomes Anabel Maldonado, the founder of The Psychology of Fashion™, to the show. A platform that explores why we wear what we wear, and the relationships between emotions, personality and aesthetic, The Psychology of Fashion™ also examines current issues in the fashion industry through the lens of psychology. "You know, if we get away from this sort of like trends just because, buy it because all these people have it — if we think about who we are, why we like what we like, the way that fashion actually can be powerful for us, I...
2019-08-0136 min
Conscious ChatterALICE ALEXANDER + INCLUSIVITY FOR ALL BODIES In episode 163, Kestrel welcomes Mary Alice Duff, the founder of Alice Alexander, to the show. A size-inclusive, ethically and sustainably made womenswear brand, Alice Alexander is on a mission to radically change the fashion industry to one that is inclusive of ALL BODIES and is respectful of people and the planet. "It's still the vision and our mission — when someone is shopping on our website, that they feel seen. And to not get the feeling that I got when I went shopping before I had my own brand, and all I saw were thin white wo...
2019-06-0543 min
Conscious ChatterTHE SUSTAINABLE FASHION FORUM + BUILDING COMMUNITY In episode 161, Kestrel welcomes Brittany Sierra, the founder of the Sustainable Fashion Forum, to the show. A PR and marketing strategist by trade, Brittany has a deep passion for creating community and building connections, and she just recently produced the 3rd annual Sustainable Fashion Forum in Portland. "You know, when I created the event, it wasn't as me, this expert, who knew so much and wanted to share it with everyone. It was more of me wanting to create a place where if you're interested in this, you can come and learn from people who...
2019-05-2231 min
Conscious ChatterBOYISH ON DOING BETTER DENIM In episode 158, Kestrel welcomes Jordan Nodarse, the founder and Creative Director of Boyish Jeans, to the show. While Jordan recently founded Boyish in 2018, he's been around the denim scene for years — having been behind the launch of Reformation's first denim collection, as well as Revolve's GRLFRND denim. "I always tell people — it's all about progress, not perfection. You're never going to be 100% sustainable. Even when you feel like you're 100% sustainable, you can always be more efficient. And the environmental impacts are always going to be evolving to become better and better, so you always have to ev...
2019-04-2445 min
Conscious ChatterREMAKE + MADE IN MEXICO In episode 157, the first show of Season 4, Kestrel welcomes Ayesha Barenblat, the founder of Remake, back to the show, along with Sajida Silva, a student at California College of the Arts, and one of the future designers who was chosen to join Remake for their Made In Mexico trip. A non-profit that believes that fashion can be a force for good, Remake makes the invisible women who power the fashion industry visible through firsthand documentary footage and stories. "That's the thing, you know — people don't empower people, the women we met are plenty emp...
2019-04-1753 min
Conscious ChatterORGANICUP + COMBATING MENSTRUAL WASTE In episode 151, Kestrel welcomes Gitte Dalberg-Larsen, the founder of Organicup, to the show. The award-winning menstrual cup, Organicup helps replace pads and tampons, and reduce waste connected to women's health. "We are on a mission to improve menstrual health on a personal and cultural and global level." -Gitte Dalberg-Larsen, Founder of Organicup In this week's show, Gitte shares more on what led her to build a menstrual cup company, and what she has learned along the way. Additionally, she provides more of an in-depth look at how much period waste each menstruating...
2019-02-1430 min
Conscious ChatterLISA GRALNEK + BALANCING AUTHENTICITY AMIDST A TIME OF DISRUPTION In episode 150, Kestrel welcomes Lisa Gralnek, a Brand & Strategy Executive, to the show. The Founder + Principal of LVG & Co, Lisa has worked with brands including Chobani, moo.com, adidas, IKEA, Walmart and more over the past decade. "Authenticity really ties back to why you wake up in the morning - you know, what are your values, what's your mission in life or your raison d'être as the French would say." -Lisa Gralnek, Brand & Strategy Executive In this week's show, Lisa shares more on her journey and what led her to have s...
2019-01-3039 min
Conscious ChatterKNIT WIT ON GOING DIGITAL + WHAT'S HOT IN THE CRAFTING SCENE In episode 144, Kestrel welcomes Zinzi Edmundson, the editor + cofounder of Knit Wit Magazine, to the show. A website for fiber freaks, Knit Wit explores everything about fiber arts and their makers. "Just like cutting out fast fashion and knowing about your materials and the process behind where your clothing is coming from, that's equally as important with buying your materials for crafting." -Zinzi Edmundson, Founder of Knit Wit Throughout this chat, Zinzi shares more on Knit Wit's recent shift from print to digital, and how listening to her readers was an integral...
2018-12-1231 min
Conscious ChatterABLE, LIVING WAGES + THE IMPORTANCE OF PUBLISHING THEM In episode 143, Kestrel welcomes Barrett Ward, the founder + CEO of ABLE, to the show. A lifestyle brand, ABLE is focused on ending generational poverty through providing economic opportunity for women. "We also know that when a woman is empowered and given a job - this is a statistic, it's a fact - that a woman has a far more significant impact in her community than does a man. If you want to have a serious impact on poverty in the world, the fashion world is an extraordinary place to start." -Barrett Ward, Founder of...
2018-12-0435 min
Conscious ChatterLEFT EDIT + ESSENTIALS THAT MAKE AN IMPRESSION In episode 142, Kestrel welcomes Holly Staves Olson, a marketing wizard + her cofounder of a new venture called Left Edit, to the show. A new direct-to-consumer womenswear brand for those who don't want to sacrifice ethics for style, Left Edit builds essentials that make an impression. "I think it's so cool because our relationship always revolved around this entrepreneurial spirit. I think that's where you and I really connected is every time we'd get together, we'd be brainstorming different ideas, and we'd be talking about fashion and we'd be talking about new businesses and how we...
2018-11-2733 min
Conscious ChatterETHICAL STYLE JOURNAL + THE POWER OF INDEPENDENT MAGAZINES In episode 140, Kestrel welcomes Katie Pruett, the founder and editor-in-chief of Ethical Style Journal, to the show. A platform to help shape fashion culture into one that is as much about awareness, action, and accountability as it is about style, Ethical Style Journal is a stunning publication stacked with substance. "If you look at the history of our country, they've always kind of helped shape peoples' perspectives - they've always had that authority. Specifically if we're talking about fashion magazines - I mean look at Vogue and their influence. I wanted to get in on...
2018-11-1634 min
Conscious ChatterMARKET45 + PROGRESS OVER PERFECTION In episode 138, Kestrel welcomes Shannon Lohr, the founder of Factory45, to the show. An online accelerator program, Factory45 takes sustainable fashion companies from idea to launch. Shannon's newest project, Market45, is an ethical fashion marketplace, and it just made its debut in the e-commerce space. "Now we are living in a world where you know, the average consumer, they've at least heard sustainable fashion before - they've heard those words. And that's really cool. It's really great to see the growth and the recognition of what's happening in the space, and remembering that there's no...
2018-11-0126 min
Conscious ChatterREMODE, THE PREMIER EVENT FOR DISRUPTIVE + SUSTAINABLE FASHION In episode 137, Kestrel welcomes Pierre Nicolas Hurstel, the founder of REMODE, to the show. A conference that is meant to unite fashion brand leaders and industry-wide professionals to inspire solutions for growth and innovation, Remode's inaugural event is taking place on November 13th and 14th, 2018 in Los Angeles. "The future for brands is sustainable, vertical, omnichannel, purposeful - and this future has started now actually, because thanks to the incredible innovations that are now available, it is now possible for brands to do that at the same time, and sometimes the same technology can help s...
2018-10-2430 min
Conscious ChatterTHE MINIMALIST WARDROBE In episode 136, Kestrel welcomes Sebastian Juhola, the creator of The Minimalist Wardrobe, to the show. A platform and popular Instagram, The Minimalist Wardrobe is meant to help people minimize their wardrobes, with a focus on ethical and sustainable values. "Minimalism brings instant results for your personal life. It has those practical effects right away, in addition to sustainability and the environment. It also helps you personally in tremendous ways." - Sebastian Juhola, Founder of The Minimalist Wardrobe In this episode, Kestrel gets the chance to connect with Sebastian about what led him...
2018-10-1730 min
Conscious ChatterREFORMATION + THEIR NEW PARTNERSHIP WITH THREDUP In episode 134, Kestrel welcomes Kathleen Talbot, the VP of Operations + Sustainability at Reformation, to the show. A revolutionary lifestyle brand, Reformation offers thoughtfully produced clothing at an affordable price–a reminder that being green shouldn't mean sacrificing style and quality. "If you're confident and you're motivated to really manage the impact of your product and really your product's whole life cycle, you shouldn't be afraid of growth. You should be really trying to maximize that because by growing our business, by reaching a bigger consumer base, we're actually magnifying our impact." - Kathleen Talbot, VP of Operations + Sustainability at...
2018-10-0331 min
Conscious ChatterNASREEN SHEIKH, ANTI-SWEATSHOP ADVOCATE In episode 133, Kestrel welcomes Nasreen Sheikh, the founder of both Local Women's Handicrafts and nonprofit LOCWOM, to the show. An international public speaker and anti-sweatshop advocate, Nasreen has been featured in Forbes, The Huffington Post, Cosmopolitan and more. "I was working in this small room, thousands of t-shirts would be all around the room, the window would be so small so there would be not enough air, and really when you have a new t-shirt that just came from the other factory and it's literally filled with so much chemicals - and one of the...
2018-09-2752 min
Conscious ChatterRENEE PETERS + MODEL4GREENLIVING In episode 132, Kestrel welcomes Renee Peters, the founder of Model4GreenLiving, to the show. A fashion model, lifelong animal lover and nature enthusiast, Renee's interests have inspired Model4GreenLiving, which showcases practical tips and everyday actions that help encourage mindful, sustainable living. "Feminism and environmentalism are not two separate things - they go together." - Renee Peters, Founder of Model4GreenLiving In this episode, Renee shares her insider insight on the modeling industry, from its challenges to its perks to its abusive nature. She also talks about where she is now in h...
2018-09-1936 min
Conscious ChatterKROCHET KIDS, KNOWN SUPPLY + SLOW STORYTELLING In episode 131, Kestrel welcomes Kohl Crecelius, a social entrepreneur, and the founder and owner of two social impact apparel brands, the the show. With a focus on helping shoppers know and connect with the makers behind their clothing, KNOWN SUPPLY and Krochet Kids intl. are pushing to humanize the fashion industry. "I remember in probably our first couple years, all we ever heard (because we were starting around the same time that Tom's was really starting to take off), all we ever heard was - what is the tagline that's like one-for-one? And we thought about...
2018-09-1249 min
Conscious ChatterTHE GARMENT + THEIR VIRTUAL POP-UP In episode 128, Kestrel welcomes Morgan Hamel, the founder of The Garment, to the show. A platform that helps connect women and responsible brands, The Garment is known for their Virtual Pop-Ups, which showcase quality products from makers who also have a good story. "I realized that there was an entire community of makers out in the world who basically were trying to connect to a community of women who are interested in living more vibrant lives by owning fewer, better things, and sometimes those communities struggle to find each other. Basically, The Garment stepped into t...
2018-08-2052 min
Conscious ChatterAGAATI + EMBRACING BOTH HANDS AND MACHINES In episode 127, Kestrel welcomes Saloni Shrestha, the cofounder + designer of Agaati, to the show. A womenswear brand that is committed to bringing accessible luxury to the industry, Agaati believes there is a way to fuse cultural traditions with today's fast-paced tech-driven world. "Designing with what is there at the moment is complicated. So using both the channels: preserving this art of weaving; at the same time, working with the eco-friendly mill-created textile is I think a good balance for our company." -Saloni Shrestha, Cofounder + Designer of Agaati In this episode, Saloni shares more...
2018-08-1435 min
Conscious ChatterCOLLECTIVE CLOSETS In episode 125, Kestrel welcomes Laurinda Ndenzako, the cofounder of Collective Closets, to the show. A womenswear label based + made in Melbourne, Collective Closets was built off of Laurinda + her sister Fatuma's African - Australian identities. "As far as Collective Closets go, we always say that we don't have all the answers, but we definitely want to be part of that conversation - we want to be part of that movement as well to leave a positive impact. And it all starts at home - and sometimes, just the smallest changes make the biggest impact." -Laurin...
2018-08-0739 min
Conscious ChatterNATURAL FIBER WELDING In episode 124, Kestrel welcomes Luke Haverhals, the founder and CEO of Natural Fiber Welding, to the show. An analytical chemist, materials scientist and entrepreneur, Luke is working to produce sustainable, high performance materials for a variety of applications with his team at Natural Fiber Welding. "We're doing something really important for the world which is to basically unleash the abundance of nature and what nature produces at scale (that's very high performance), and being able to convert those materials very simply and very cost-effectively into the things that we need to have high quality and standards...
2018-07-2544 min
Conscious ChatterWHIMSY+ROW, THE INFLUENCER AGE + BUILDING A CONSCIOUS COMMUNITY In episode 123, Kestrel welcomes Rachel Temko, the founder + creative director of Whimsy+Row, to the show. A lifestyle brand for the creative, adventurous lady, Whimsy+Row not only offer their clothing + goods online, they also have a lovely freestanding store in Venice, California. "I started Whimsy promoting other brands, and that to me is like - we should all be in this together to spread the word and make everybody aware that this is more of a lifestyle." -Rachel Temko, Founder + Creative Director of Whimsy+Row In this episode, Rachel shares her j...
2018-07-1839 min
Conscious ChatterTHR3EFOLD, SOURCING ETHICAL FACTORIES + LOOKING BEYOND TRANSPARENCY In episode 120, Kestrel welcomes Jessica Kelly, the founder of Thr3efold, to the show. A platform that helps connect brands to ethical factories around the world, Thr3efold also hosts Deadstock District, a private portal to sell your fabric liability and source dead stock. "I keep digging deeper because sometimes people will be like, 'oh well, this brand doesn't talk about their factories so we should question their ethics' - maybe, but maybe not. It doesn't necessarily mean there's something that they're hiding." -Jessica Kelly, founder of Thr3efold In this episode, Jessica shares more...
2018-06-2640 min
Conscious ChatterINDUSTRY OF ALL NATIONS + THE IDENTITY OF PRODUCTS In episode 117, Kestrel welcomes Juan Diego Gerscovich, the cofounder of Industry of All Nations, to the show. A design and development office that was founded in 2010, IOAN has a commitment to rethink methods of production for consumer goods. "Every maker that we work with, we want to give them the chance, to let them express - via the product - their life." -Juan Diego Gerscovich, cofounder of IOAN In this episode, Juan shares insight into his early years, growing up in Argentina with parents in the fashion industry. He also talks about how from...
2018-06-0628 min
Conscious ChatterRESONANCE + CONNECTING ART WITH COMMERCE In episode 113, Kestrel welcomes Lawrence Lenihan, the CEO of Resonance, to the show. A venture operating company, Resonance partners with brands to enable them to build a fashion business that is as beautiful as their creative vision. "WHAT WE'RE DOING IS WE'RE RETHINKING. THIS WHOLE INDUSTRY WAS BUILT ON THE IDEA THAT YOU MAKE MANY - LOTS AND LOTS - BIG RUNS ... WE'RE ACTUALLY GOING COMPLETELY THE OPPOSITE. RATHER THAN HAVING FEWER STYLES OVER MORE AND MORE UNITS, OUR WHOLE ARCHITECTURE IS: HOW DO WE MAKE ONE UNIT AS EFFICIENTLY AS A THOUSAND?" -LAWRENCE LEN...
2018-05-0837 min
Conscious ChatterADITI MAYER, ADIMAY + REVOLUTION WASHING In episode 111, Kestrel welcomes Aditi Mayer, the creative behind ADIMAY, to the show. Aditi explores the crossroads of artistic expression and social action on ADIMAY, and has a focus on style, sustainability, and social politics. "I think the way we look at sustainable fashion now - it's been a response. So, sustainable fashion exists because the industry is inherently broken, and we could argue that fast fashion has profited off the normalization of exploitation. As we go forward, I think if we work toward a more just industry, that's inherently going to change the definition...
2018-04-2435 min
Conscious ChatterFINERY + MAKING USE OF THE WARDROBE YOU ALREADY HAVE In episode 109, Kestrel welcomes actor and model Brooklyn Decker, and former ABC & CNN anchor Whitney Casey to show. The cofounders of FINERY, Brooklyn + Whitney have built the world's first wardrobe operating system that reinvents how women view and interact with their closets, and style themselves. "Women will spend more money on their clothing than their education [in their lifetime]." -Brooklyn Decker, cofounder of Finery In this episode, Brooklyn and Whitney share a bit about how they ended up building a company focused on fashion - turns out, for both of them, it w...
2018-04-1140 min
Conscious ChatterG-STAR RAW + THE MOST SUSTAINABLE JEANS EVER In episode 108, Kestrel welcomes two key players at G-Star RAW to the show - Adriana Galijasevic, their Denim and Sustainability Expert, as well as Frouke Bruinsma, corporate responsibility director at G-Star RAW. A condition for doing business at G-Star RAW today, sustainability has been formally built into the company's framework since 2006. "SUSTAINABILITY HAS BEEN A CONDITION FOR DOING BUSINESS AND IT'S A CONSTANT WORK IN PROGRESS, SO WE ARE ALWAYS LOOKING FOR THE NEXT SUSTAINABLE INNOVATION AND ALWAYS STRIVING TO SURPASS OUR LATEST SUSTAINABLE ACHIEVEMENTS." -ADRIANA GALIJASEVIC, G-STAR RAW'S DENIM + SUSTAINABILITY EXPERT In this episode...
2018-04-0430 min
Conscious ChatterSHOP GOOD + INTENTIONS FOR WELLNESS In episode 107, Kestrel welcomes Leah Kirpalani, a certified holistic health coach & the founder of Shop Good, to the show. An online platform as well as freestanding store in San Diego, Shop Good offers clean beauty products for the ultimate healthy lifestyle. "We absorb 65% of what we put on our body." -Leah Kirpalani, founder of Shop Good In this episode, Leah shares stories from her past experiences with a chronic illness that led her into exploring holistic health and natural beauty products. She reminds us that everyone has a distinct body, and there's no...
2018-03-2740 min
Conscious ChatterCRAFTIVISTS + THE ART OF GENTLE PROTEST In episode 106, Kestrel welcomes Sarah Corbett, founder of the Craftivist Collective, to the show. An inclusive group of people committed to using thoughtful, beautiful crafted works to help themselves and encourage others be the positive change they wish to see in the world, the Craftivist Collective has built a global movement. Sarah recently released a new book, called How To Be A Craftivist: The Art Of Gentle Protest. "It's about intriguing people in to open their hearts and minds about an issue, rather than forcing your opinion or preaching to people." -Sarah Corbett, Founder...
2018-03-2150 min
Conscious ChatterWOOLN + GRANDMAS IN THE SUPPLY CHAIN In episode 104, Kestrel welcomes Margaux Rousseau, the Cofounder of WOOLN, to the show. A company that brings together talented New York grandmothers and curious shoppers, WOOLN has a supply chain of senior knitters in New York, who lovingly hand-knit each piece in their collection. "We have this community of older ladies who sometimes are a bit lonely, they usually stay home, and with WOOLN, they get together, they are part of a project, they have this feeling of belonging. You know, they are all very talented - what they do with their fingers is incredible."
2018-03-0631 min
Conscious ChatterWHAT IS BLOCKCHAIN TECHNOLOGY + THE SOCIAL IMPACT ECONOMY In episode 103, Kestrel welcomes Paul Allard, the Founder and President of impak Finance, to the show. With the use of fintech, impak Finance has the intention of helping develop a positive social impact economy. They successfully launched the impak Coin ICO last summer, which is the 1st legal cryptocurrency in North America. "We're in 2018 - the real economy should all be about the social impact economy - focusing on trying to solve environmental and social issues, while doing money." -Paul Allard, Founder of impak Finance In this episode, Paul explains the different fa...
2018-02-2836 min
Conscious ChatterMELANIN & SUSTAINABLE STYLE + ETHICAL FASHION AS A PRIVILEGED WHITE GIRL THING In episode 102, Kestrel welcomes Dominique Drakeford, the founder of Melanin & Sustainable Style, to the show. A platform that is bringing melanin to the forefront of sustainable fashion, beauty and living, MelaninASS is helping to give the ethical industry an authentic and culturally relevant voice. "This whole community is about 'let's talk about what's wrong' - we talk about what's wrong from an environmental point of view, we talk about fast fashion and we point fingers at H&M and we do all this ... but let's look at ourselves and let's talk about some real issues that...
2018-02-2141 min
Conscious ChatterNADINE FARAG, ONE WHO DRESSES + PERSONAL STYLE AS SUSTAINABILITY In episode 100, Kestrel welcomes Nadine Farag, the writer behind One Who Dresses, to the show. A website where she slowly explores the question of 'what is style,' One Who Dresses is a digital space dedicated to understanding the intricacies of personal style. Nadine is also known for her sustainable fashion writing for Man Repeller. "Personal style is an extension of our being. It's another way to understand and articulate who we are in the world." -Nadine Farag of One Who Dresses Throughout this episode, Nadine explores her transition from thinking about su...
2018-02-0744 min
Conscious ChatterPROCLAIM + THE NUDE REVOLUTION In episode 99, Kestrel welcomes Shobha Philips, the CEO and founder of Proclaim, to the show. An ethically-made and inclusively-designed bra collection, Proclaim is expanding the definition of nude by celebrating real women. "I think that lingerie should be marketed to the women that wear it - celebrating women's bodies of all types, all skin colors, letting women see themselves represented in these images, and feel like they are included and that they are beautiful." -Shobha Philips, CEO + Founder of Proclaim Throughout this episode, Shobha shares insight on the narrow definition of the co...
2018-01-3023 min
Conscious ChatterSILKROLL, FASHION + THE SHARING ECONOMY In episode 98, Kestrel welcomes Janet Wu and Erin Wold, the cofounders of SilkRoll, to the show. The ultimate community to trade and discover high quality fashion from style-mates around the world without spending an extra penny, SilkRoll's vision is to build the world's largest shared closet. "The way that the resale space works is that our clothes depreciate really fast in second hand ... the minute you buy something from the retail store, pop the tag, wear it once, and the next day you try to put it on a second hand site to sell it, i...
2018-01-2338 min
Conscious ChatterTHE ZIRAN + XIANG YUN SHA SILK In episode 97, Kestrel welcomes Kelly Wang Shanahan, the founder of The Ziran, to the show. A Los Angeles-based label which offers a new line of luxury silks, The Ziran's mission is to weave tradition into the modern world, leading a new generation to live the Ziran way: natural, spontaneous, and free. "Fashion is important and it's not only a physical reflection of how you perceive yourself, but also how you want to be perceived. Otherwise we would walk out of the house naked every day. So, every time you put on a piece of clothing...
2018-01-1729 min
Conscious ChatterRECESS CITY, A NEW YEAR + ETHICAL INTENTIONS In episode 94, Kestrel welcomes Anna Lisa Grieve, the co-creator of Recess City, to the show. A lifestyle and travel blog, Recess City is a project by Anna Lisa and her husband Porter. Since September 2017, they have been traveling the world, living in hotels and showcasing ethical fashion brands along the way. "People suddenly realized that their food came from somewhere and that it mattered how it was made, and I think the same thing is happening in the world of fashion now. And, people are not just looking at clothing as a thing but understanding t...
2018-01-0241 min
Conscious ChatterZANNI, PERFORMANCE FABRIC + DESIGNING TO LAST In episode 94, Kestrel welcomes Suzanne Lewis, the founder & designer of Zanni to the show. By reinventing the classic little black dress, Zanni uses technical performance fabrics and manufactures in Los Angeles to create what they call, "dresses for whatever." "As much as people made fun of the athleisure trend when it came out, I think what we're seeing is that everyone wants to be comfortable, and people want balance. They don't want to have to have one outfit for each activity of the day - they want to have an outfit that works with them."
2017-12-2629 min
Conscious ChatterCOYUCHI + THEIR CIRCULAR SUBSCRIPTION SERVICE In episode 93, Kestrel welcomes Eileen Mockus, the CEO of Coyuchi, and Margot Lyons, Coyuchi's Sustainability + Production Manager to the show. A home textile company that is committed to using minimally processed organic & natural fibers, Coyuchi also has a human commitment to the hands that touch each product. "We do sense that the customer is looking for newness, and this allows them to have that newness but at the same time, gives us the ability to take that product back and do something else with it." -Eileen Mockus, CEO of Coyuchi on Coyuchi For Life
2017-12-1930 min
Conscious ChatterTHE ACCIDENTAL ICON ON FASHION, IDENTITY + PERFORMATIVE STYLE In episode 92, Kestrel welcomes Lyn Slater, the woman behind Accidental Icon, to the show. A cultural influencer, professor, model, writer, content creator and speaker, Lyn has been featured in Women's Wear Daily, Refinery29, WhoWhatWear, and more. She shares the true story of how she got the name Accidental Icon, and how it wasn't as much of an accidental story as the press has led us to think. "She is the woman who ... does not consume garments, she lives her life in them and dresses honestly." -Lyn Slater, Accidental Icon Throughout this episode, K...
2017-12-1248 min
Conscious ChatterPROUD MARY + ARTISAN MADE VS ETHICAL PRODUCTION In episode 91, Kestrel welcomes Harper Poe, the founder of Proud Mary, to the show. By partnering with global artisans to design modern goods using age-old techniques, Proud Mary grants local artisans an exponentially larger audience, while bolstering the creative industry within their communities. "People are going to keep buying clothes - that's not going to slow down, I don't think ... I think it's hard from a marketing point of view when both of those things are lumped together because artisan made and factory production are two very different things." -Harper Poe, founder of Proud M...
2017-12-0530 min
Conscious ChatterCOTOPAXI, LLAMA WOOL + QUESTIVAL In episode 90, Kestrel welcomes Davis Smith, the CEO and founder of Cotopaxi to the show. A brand that creates innovative outdoor products and experiences, Cotopaxi works to fund sustainable poverty relief, move people to do good, and inspire adventure. "Originally I think ... it was the grantmaking ... where we were going to have our impact, but as we've started to put together these impact reports, I'm seeing that a lot of the impact that we're having is actually through our purchasing power, it's through our supply chain. " -Davis Smith, founder + CEO of Cotopaxi Th...
2017-11-2933 min
Conscious ChatterFARMGIRL FLOWERS + DIRT ON THE FLORAL INDUSTRY In episode 89, Kestrel welcomes Christina Stembel, the founder of Farmgirl Flowers, to the show. An online floral shop that is dedicated to creating good jobs, Farmgirl Flowers is also focused on maintaining a sustainable supply chain, and minimizing waste in the floral industry. "INSTEAD OF HAVING 40-60% WASTE OF FLOWERS, WE HAVE LESS THAN 1% WASTE." -CHRISTINA, FOUNDER OF FARMGIRL FLOWERS Throughout this episode, Kestrel and Christina chat about the complicated supply chain behind the floral industry, and the impact it has on farmers, and the environment - especially when it comes to waste.
2017-11-2239 min
Conscious ChatterTARA + THE ERA OF CUSTOMIZATION In episode 88, Kestrel welcomes Annette Lasala Spillane, the founder and CEO of TARA (The Artisan Row Accessories), to the show. Known for their buildable fine jewelry, TARA intentionally designs each piece so it stands beautifully on its own, but can also be stylishly interchanged with with other pieces in their collection. Throughout this episode, Kestrel and Annette chat about the era of customization, whether it's here to stay, and in what capacity. They also discuss individual ideas of personal style, and innovative ways to make the clothes in your closet go a long way.
2017-11-1533 min
Conscious ChatterSALT GYPSY + SUSTAINABILITY IN SURF CULTURE In episode 84, Kestrel welcomes Danny Clayton, the founder of Salt Gypsy, to the show. A Byron Bay-based curated surf boutique and independent surf lifestyle supplier, Salt Gypsy celebrates female surf athleticism, diversity and style in the lineup. "If I as a small business can source and produce gear using a lycra that's made with 78% recycled polyamide, then why are not mainstream brands or bigger businesses using that as well; why is it not industry standard?" Throughout this conversation, Danny shares the backstory of how Salt Gypsy evolved into a brand that offers iconic...
2017-10-1734 min
Conscious ChatterPROJECT JUST SEAL OF APPROVAL + RIZ BOARDSHORTSIn episode 82, Kestrel welcomes two guests to the show: the Chief Operating Officer at Project Just Jacinta Fitzgerald, and Riz Smith, the founder and creative director of the London-based swimwear label Riz. Recently, Riz was awarded a Project Just Seal of Approval for their swimwear category. Kestrel had the opportunity to sit on the committee to help make this decision, which led her to bring both Jacinta and Riz on to talk about Project Just's Seal of Approval process. In this chat, Kestrel gets the chance to ask Jacinta her thoughts on what the committee l...
2017-10-0334 min
Conscious ChatterHELSINKI FASHION WEEKIn episode 80, Kestrel welcomes Evelyn Mora, the founder of Helsinki Fashion Week to the show. An event where international and nordic fashion meet in Finland, Helsinki Fashion Week also focuses on sustainable production and an ecological mindset. Evelyn believes that fashion, style and individualism really are trending at the moment, and will continue to do so. Below are some of the ideas, initiatives and concepts that Evelyn brought up in this chat: Infinited Fiber Company Tanya Solovey, Vogue Ukraine Finnish Environmental Institute Amos Anderson Museum, venue for 2017 Helsinki Fashion Week Uneins, brand by a G...
2017-09-2039 min
Conscious ChatterAGNES MULJADI, THE VEGAN BALLERINA In episode 79, Kestrel welcomes Agnes Muljadi, a Los Angeles based vegan ballerina, actress, photographer and celebrity blogger, to the show. Agnes has been the face of an array of brands including Amazon, NFL, Starbucks, Reebok, Toms Shoes and Kind Snacks. "MY NATUROPATH TOLD ME IMMEDIATELY YOU HAVE TO BECOME VEGAN TODAY, AND I JUST BECAME VEGAN. I LITERALLY BECAME VEGAN IN A DAY." -AGNES MULJADI In this chat, Agnes shares insight into what her life as a ballerina looks like, and how she became vegan, basically overnight. Kestrel also asks Agnes about...
2017-09-1330 min
Conscious ChatterMIADONNA, CONFLICT-FREE DIAMONDS + LUXURY FROM LABS In episode 76, Kestrel welcomes Anna-Mieke Anderson, the CEO of MiaDonna, to the show. An ethical and affordable bridal jewelry line, which crafts its pieces with the finest lab-grown diamonds, gemstones and recycled metals, MiaDonna is pushing to change what the diamond industry looks like by going beyond "conflict-free". "It's estimated that 30 million American women have purchased a conflict diamond." -Anna-Mieke, CEO of MiaDonna In this chat, Kestrel asks Anna-Mieke to share her insight on what conflict-free means to her, and how MiaDonna thinks about standards when it comes to diamonds and gemstones. Anna-Mieke...
2017-08-2328 min
Conscious ChatterMITSCOOTS OUTFITTERS + EVOLVING THE 1FOR1 MODELIn episode 74, Kestrel welcomes Tim Scott, the cofounder and CEO of Mitscoots Outfitters to the show. An Austin based clothing company, Mitscoots Outfitters is on a mission to outfit & employ the homeless. With every piece of American made gear you purchase, Mitscoots will give an equal quality item to someone in need and employ the transitioning homeless to package things up. Gear with a mission: Get + Give + Employ. In this chat, Tim shares some of his story, how he learned more about the homeless population in Austin, and what really led him to launch Mitscoots. Als...
2017-08-0829 min
Conscious ChatterSLOW FACTORY, FASHION + POLITICS In episode 73, Kestrel welcomes Céline Semaan Vernon, the CEO of Slow Factory to the show. Slow Factory is a mission-driven independent fashion label & lab that creates beautiful accessories, clothes and jewelry while directly supporting environmental and humanitarian causes. All work is fair-trade and manufactured with eco-friendly ink and fabrics. "Fashion activism is the practice of using fashion as a means of social change. It merges popular styles of dress, from clothing and shoes, to headwear and accessories, with efforts to implement social and political change. Fashion activism can be used as a form of protes...
2017-08-0232 min
Conscious ChatterSWEDISH STOCKINGS + CHANGING THE HOSIERY INDUSTRY In episode 70, Kestrel welcomes Linn Frisinger, cofounder of Swedish Stockings to the show. Swedish Stockings produces beautiful pantyhose from 90-98% recycled nylon yarn. Each year, two billion pairs of tights are produced, worn a few times, and then discarded. After being inspired by the documentary The Lightbulb Conspiracy, Linn and her cofounder Nadja Forsberg set out to find a better solution for the hosiery industry. In this chat, Kestrel asks Linn about the approach Swedish Stockings has to sustainability and zero waste in their supply chain, as well as their Recycling Club, which ad...
2017-07-1030 min
Conscious ChatterOP SHOP TO RUNWAY + REDEFINING REUSED STYLE In episode 69 of Conscious Chatter, Kestrel welcomes Alex van Os, eco stylist and founder of Op Shop To Runway to the show. Alex is an Australian Red Cross Op Shop Ambassador and a fashion & TV stylist on a mission: to help people realize that having killer style doesn't mean you have to kill the earth in the process. For her, second hand doesn't mean second best! Stat from the introduction, found via Elizabeth Cline, author of Overdressed: Every single minute Americans toss out 47,564 pounds of unwanted clothing and textiles (that's enough to fill three ol...
2017-07-0339 min
Conscious ChatterFINANCES WITH GEORGIA LEE HUSSEY OF MODERNIST FINANCIALWhat change can happen in our lives when we look at the bigger picture, especially when we look through the lens of sustainability (i.e. social, environmental & economic impacts)? When we dive into the deeper meaning[s] of life, we can, or should see how connected we all are. #BTS(behind the scenes) w/ Good Support + Conscious Chatter explores how our choices and actions impact our greater communities. We also discuss ways to start making changes to align ourselves more fully with our beliefs. We will explore all the ways we can get more activated and engaged through quarterly to...
2017-06-2953 min
Conscious ChatterFINANCES WITH PACO DE LEON OF THE HELL YEAH GROUPWhat change can happen in our lives when we look at the bigger picture, especially when we look through the lens of sustainability (i.e. social, environmental & economic impacts)? When we dive into the deeper meaning[s] of life, we can, or should see how connected we all are. #BTS(behind the scenes) w/ Good Support + Conscious Chatter explores how our choices and actions impact our greater communities. We also discuss ways to start making changes to align ourselves more fully with our beliefs. We will explore all the ways we can get more activated and engaged through quarterly t...
2017-06-2952 min
Conscious ChatterMOLLY BERRY, LUNA ZORRO + THE ARTISAN AGENDAIn episode 67 of Conscious Chatter, Kestrel welcomes the founder of Luna Zorro, Molly Berry, to the show. As you may have heard, the below quote from Molly has come up in past episodes, when discussing the balance between working with artisans and sharing that story: It seems to me that the word 'empower' has become a marketing buzz word for many companies to pull the heart strings of the consumer, sometimes to the point of exploitation, manipulating images or stories and convincing people that their single purchase is "changing a life". I work directly with indigenous, Mayan w...
2017-06-2151 min
Conscious ChatterMIA VESPER, FOCUS + CUTTING THROUGH THE NOISEIn episode 64 of Conscious Chatter, Kestrel welcomes self-taught designer Mia Vesper to the show. While Mia may be a new name to the fashion scene, she's turning heads left and right. From Vogue to W Magazine to Man Repeller, the big guys are taking note. A 25-year old designer, Mia brings two key elements into her eye-catching designs: reinvention and recycling. In this chat, Kestrel asks Mia about her approach to design, and how she sources the vintage tapestries that are so integral to the pieces she creates. The two discuss the idea of "having your thing"...
2017-05-3129 min
Conscious ChatterTHE NEW DENIM PROJECT + UPCYCLING WASTE INTO TEXTILESIn episode 63, Kestrel welcomes Arianne Engelberg, the Creative Director of The New Denim Project to the show. An innovative product line out of Iris Textiles in Guatemala, The New Denim Project makes textiles and products from upcycled pre-consumer denim waste. Arianne shares stories of the evolution of her family's factory over the years - her grandparents originally started it back in the 1950s. Also, Arianne explains more in detail the process behind the upcycled textiles they have developed, and where the waste they use comes from. In addition, Arianne addresses the way she and the New Denim Pr...
2017-05-2435 min
Conscious ChatterTHREAD, TIMBERLAND + RECYCLING WASTE SYSTEMSIn episode 62, Kestrel welcomes guests Ian Rosenberger, the founder and CEO of Thread, and Zachary Angelini, the Environmental Stewardship Manager at Timberland. Ian and Zack share some of the stories behind the Thread x Timberland collaboration, which is made of Thread's Ground to Good™ fabric, harvested from plastic bottles littering the streets and landfills of Haiti. Kestrel also asks Zack to share his mindset on Timberland's approach to sustainability, especially considering the company's high-reaching goals for 2020, including wanting to have 100% organic, US-origin or better cotton, as well as 100% recycled, organic or renewable materials in their shoes. F...
2017-05-1731 min
Conscious ChatterGALERIA.LA, PERSONAL STYLE + CURATIONIn episode 61, Kestrel welcomes Dechel McKillian, founder of Galerie.LA and former stylist for the Black Eyed Peas and Lil Wayne to the show. They talk all things personal style and curation, and explore how sustainability fits into these approaches. With a background in psychobiology, Dechel shares her thoughts on how technology and fast fashion are influencing a general loss of personal style, and that the homogenization of culture is potentially influencing us to lose our own identities to only become "what is popular". Kestrel and Dechel also explore the importance of curation when it c...
2017-05-1034 min
Conscious ChatterTHE SUSTAINABLE APPAREL COALITION + QUESTIONING FASHION'S IMPACTIn this week's episode, Kestrel welcomes two guests to the show: Jason Kibbey, the CEO of the Sustainable Apparel Coalition and Alden Wicker, writer and founder of EcoCult. The idea for this show exploded for Kestrel after she read an article Alden wrote for Racked: "We Have No Idea How Bad Fashion Actually Is For The Environment". It struck a chord with her -- and many other people who have been using the same unverified fact over and over again in our conversations: the global fashion industry is the 2nd most polluting industry in the world. In thi...
2017-05-0343 min
Conscious ChatterPATAGONIA, FAIR TRADE + THE FASHION REVOLUTIONIn episode 59, Kestrel had the opportunity to visit the Patagonia Headquarters in Ventura, CA to record an in-person interview with 2 key players in the Patagonia game. Helena Barbour is the Senior Director of Global Sportswear at Patagonia, and Thuy Nguyen is the Manager of Social Responsibility and Special Programs. The two have played a large role in building out Patagonia's Fair Trade initiative - in conjunction with Fair Trade USA - in recent years. In light of Fashion Revolution Day this year, and a continued hope to instigate more respect for the people who make our clothes, th...
2017-04-2433 min
Conscious ChatterEILEEN FISHER, FISHER FOUND + CLOSING THE LOOPIn episode 58, Kestrel welcomes on Cynthia Powers, the Facilitating Manager of Eileen Fisher's clothing take back program, Fisher Found, as well as Teslin Doud, who was part of Eileen Fisher's Social Innovators Project, helping develop some of the company's circular design components. Kestrel asks Cynthia and Teslin about Fisher Found's origins, intention and goals. In addition, Cynthia and Teslin share more insight on the meaning behind the program's three Rs: Reworn, Renewed, and Remade. The three also discuss the future of take back programs and what we might expect down the line. This...
2017-04-1937 min
Conscious ChatterGLOBEIN, ARTISANS + THE SUBSCRIPTION BOX MODELIn episode 57, Kestrel welcomes Liza Moiseeva to the show. Liza is the co-founder of GlobeIn, a social business dedicated to supporting remote artisans from around the world. Their primary product is a monthly Artisan Box subscription, where every product fights poverty through job creation and fair wages. Kestrel and Liza discuss the importance of storytelling when it comes to artisan and fair trade products, and Liza shares her insight on how she thinks the "subscription box" could be changing the future of online retail. For Liza, the concept of discovery is really intriguing to her and how i...
2017-04-1236 min
Conscious ChatterSTYLE LEND + THE ONLINE FASHION RENTAL MARKETIn episode 56, Kestrel welcomes on Lona Alia, founder and CEO of Style Lend, an online marketplace that hosts hundreds of designer styles that users can rent for a fraction of the cost and return after a week's time. Called the "AirBnB for clothes" by TechCrunch, Style Lend is working on shaking up the online rental fashion scene by giving women access to other women's impressive closets. In this chat, Kestrel asks Lona how she addresses the difficulties of having enough inventory for renters, given that peer-to-peer models often pose a struggle in creating enough supply for the...
2017-04-0528 min
Conscious ChatterSLOW FOOD + FASHION, CROSS POLLINATION + THE QUESTION OF SCALEIn episode 55, Kestrel welcomes Summer Rayne Oakes to the show. Known as "the first eco model", Summer's experiences and knowledge go far beyond her notable look. With an education focused on ecology and entomology (the study of insects), she has worked in 2 distinct realms of the sustainability conversation: food and fashion. Kestrel asks Summer for insight on what the fashion world could potentially learn from the food world, and vice versa. They discuss regenerative agriculture, the politics of slow food and fashion, and how technology may help and/or hinder the future of fashion. Another...
2017-03-2857 min
Conscious ChatterGOOD ON YOU + APPS FOR CONSUMER ACTIONIn episode 54, Kestrel connects with Sandra Capponi, the Co-Founder & Head of Development for Good On You, an app that helps you find fashion that has a positive impact on people, the planet and animals. Nowadays, there's literally an app for everything. In this chat, Sandra shares insight on how she believes that apps can make an impact, and how giving people access to information can empower them to make better decisions. Kestrel asks Sandra about the sharing of information and how apps can potentially work together to aggregate their information, and collaborate on pushing for c...
2017-03-2129 min
Conscious ChatterNATURAL DYES + BOTANICAL COLORSIn episode 53, our first episode of Season 2, Kestrel connect with natural dye guru Kathy Hattori. As the founder of Botanical Colors, Kathy works to bring natural dyeing processes to larger scale production facilities, and also collaborates with designers on small batch dye projects. In this chat, Kathy breaks down the big differences between conventional and natural dyes, and the scaleability of the latter. Also, Kestrel and Kathy talk about "brilliance of dyes," and how this can be interpreted differently, depending on your relationship with color and its meaning. Nonylphenol ethoxylates (NPEs) are the chemicals that...
2017-03-1436 min