Latest news with #sustainablefashion
News.com.au
8 hours ago
- Business
- News.com.au
Wardrobe malfunction that helped inspire 26-year-old's entire business
The cost of living crisis has made most people reevaluate their spending, and a young Aussie has pointed out the common cheap act that is costing us more in the long run. Maddie Langshaw, 26, was earning more than $100,000 working full-time in social media and marketing when she decided to start her slow fashion brand Audrey Atelier. It wasn't just her love of fashion that spurred on the decision — she said she also came to the realisation fast fashion was a rort. 'It feels cheap in that exact moment but the cost builds,' she told 'Whether it's the constant need to replace poor quality items, or the environmental damage, or just the mental clutter of owning too much that doesn't mean anything.' Ms Langshaw said the danger with embracing fast fashion was you were always left wanting to buy more. 'It encourages this mindset of constant consumption, where clothes lose all meaning. It's not fashion, it's waste,' she said. 'It's also emotionally draining, because it keeps us in a loop of wanting more but never feeling truly satisfied.' The fashion designer understands the perils of fast fashion because she's been a consumer in the past. 'I definitely fell into it in the past, buying things just because they were cheap or trendy. But over time, the charm completely wore off,' she said. 'The clothes didn't last, and honestly, I didn't feel like me in them. Now, my wardrobe is 90 per cent thrifted or second-hand. 'If I do buy something new, it takes me at least five or six rounds of research. I want to know who made it, what it's made of, and whether it's something I'll love long-term.' Ms Langshaw argued that fast fashion created the illusion that more was better and clothes were disposable. 'It's a trap that keeps us buying and never feeling fulfilled. Once you shift the mindset out of it, you save more money long term and invest in pieces that you have forever,' she said. She's also had some horror experiences with fast fashion, where the lack of quality led to flat-out wardrobe fails. 'I've had seams unravel after one wear, things shrink beyond saving, and fabrics pill within days,' she said. 'Once, I wore a dress to dinner and the hem literally came undone mid-meal. I remember thinking, 'Why am I putting my money and energy into clothes that don't respect me back?'' she said. 'I have removed the majority of the fast fashion brands from my wardrobe due to this, the fact they don't ever last infuriates me, and over time I spend the same for less cost per wear thrifting.' Ms Langshaw isn't the only one rethinking how she's spending her money on clothes — and she wouldn't have started her business if she was. Her marketing background helped her notice a big shift in consumer habits, with Aussies being more 'conscious' about where they spent their money. 'I think there's this amazing shift happening. Fashion isn't just about the look anymore, it's about the story,' she said. 'Conscious shoppers are choosing meaning over mass production.' Ms Langshaw's been thrilled but unsurprised to see how shoppers have embraced her brand Audrey Atelier, where a blazer might cost $150 instead of $30 from a retail chain, but it is created to last. 'Even with tighter budgets, people want to feel good about what they're buying; they want pieces that last, feel considered, and come with a story,' she said. 'It's not about buying more, it's about buying better. Audrey Atelier connects with that craving for intention. 'It's a small, quiet revolution, and I'm so proud to be part of it. I have had overwhelming support from the community, with most of the buyers saying they want to support small, slower fashion.'
Harpers Bazaar Arabia
2 days ago
- Lifestyle
- Harpers Bazaar Arabia
Brunello Cucinelli Designs a Summer Wardrobe That Travels
Whether you're hopping islands or heading out for dinner barefoot, this collection ensures that the fit and finish stays effortless at all times Suitcases are being pulled from the top shelf, itineraries are open in every WhatsApp group, and somewhere between Mykonos and Muscat, the wardrobe planning begins. Brunello Cucinelli's High Summer 2025 capsule arrives right on cue with pieces that travel as beautifully as they wear. Inspired by open waters and long, sun-warmed afternoons, the collection the season with unstructured tailoring, breathable fabrics, and textures that shift subtly in the light. Womenswear is kept breezy with fabrics such as cotton organza, striped gauze, and netted knits in earthy tones, softened by metallics and brought to life through papyrus-inspired prints. Tangerine and crab tones inject a sun-kissed liveliness into the otherwise neutral colour scheme. Layered silhouettes, twinsets, and flowing caftans are styled with raffia bags and leather sandals, ready for anywhere the season leads, whether it's a girls' trip to Mallorca or a couples' getaway to the Maldives. For men, the look is guided by the spirit of sailing with crisp linens, marine-ready knits, and outerwear crafted in water-resistant blends of techno-cotton, bonded gabardine, and abaca, a sustainably sourced fibre from the Philippines that has a soft, denim-like finish. The palette, too, is finely tuned using nautical panama and navy paired with bolder notes of cherry and beige. Built for the warmest months and the longest days, this is a collection made for travel. Whether you're staying local or going far, it's bound to deem you journey ready.
Telegraph
2 days ago
- Business
- Telegraph
Victoria Beckham has stolen Stella McCartney's fashion crown
When the Princess of Wales arrived at the industrial-chic surroundings of London's 180 Studios earlier this month to present a fashion design award to NEWGEN fashion designer Patrick McDowell, it felt rather like the passing of a baton. With the Queen Elizabeth II Award for Design – which recognises British designers who are leading the way in sustainable practices and making a positive impact on the environment – the Princess was promoting the future of luxury eco-conscious fashion. And what did she choose to wear to mark the occasion? Tailoring by Victoria Beckham. Catherine's appearance in her chic olive two-piece must have been a kick in the teeth for Stella McCartney, daughter of Sir Paul and the late Linda, whose label has been a bastion of not only British sustainable fashion but also a stalwart of Savile Row-style tailoring since the brand's inception in 2001. 'I'm sure it didn't go down well… That's a space that Stella really felt she owned,' says one source close to the brand. 'Her name's been a byword for sustainable luxury and British tailoring for more than two decades. But times have changed, what was her niche is now a crowded marketplace. The thing she was reliably known for, her tailoring, has gone off the boil with bizarre proportions and crazy shapes. When you've got the likes of Victoria Beckham, Gabriela Hearst and Phoebe Philo all inhabiting a similar space… You need to bring something really special.' Indeed, so far, 2025 has been something of an annus horribilis for brand Stella McCartney. In January, it was announced that minority shareholder Louis Vuitton Moet Hennessy (LVMH, the biggest luxury conglomerate in the world, who also own Celine and Dior) were selling their 49 per cent stake in the business after five years. McCartney purchased the shares back for an undisclosed sum, making the house an independent entity once again. The separation marked the second time the Stella McCartney brand has been set adrift from a group – in 2018, the brand departed from the Kering stable (owners of Gucci, amongst others) after 17 years with the shares once again bought by McCartney herself. Moves like these leave McCartney wrestling with an upended supply chain, which needs to be rebuilt and higher costs, being that the brand no longer benefits from group discount rates on materials and services. Throw in Brexit and Covid, and it's easy to see why all's not well between the balance sheets either. Accounts filed in March (almost six months after the Companies House deadline) showed sales at the house fell by almost half in 2023. Turnover was slashed from £40 million to £21.9 million, and the brand's pre-tax loss went from £10 million to £25 million over the same period. In fact, Stella McCartney has not made a pre-tax profit since the £9 million it reported in 2017, instead accumulating a pre-tax loss of more than £143 million. Directors at the brand said this represented a 'material uncertainty that may cast significant doubt on the group's ability to continue as a going concern in the long term'. 'Sadly, since the pandemic, sustainability has taken a backseat to profits in the fashion business,' says Dana Thomas, author of Fashionopolis: The Price of Fast Fashion and the Future of Clothes and host of the pro-climate movement podcast The Green Dream. 'Maintaining your integrity can be costly – more costly than most C-suite executives and shareholders are willing to accommodate. It's a shame, because consumers… want to patronise brands with like-minded practices. Such brands are getting harder to find in the mainstream; start-ups are the core of the sustainable fashion movement now, and they are always financially precarious, because they are still so new and unproven, and many fail.' They say that bad news comes in threes, so perhaps, then, it's not surprising that earlier this month, news got out that the designer was leaving her beloved flagship store on Old Bond Street, nine years before the end of the lease. Stella McCartney moved into the Grade II-listed, 18th-century townhouse in June 2018 after spending four years overseeing its renovation. The opening night was a glitzy affair, with an interior decked out in designer furniture (including a £21,000 sofa) and the likes of Kate Moss, Kylie Minogue and Idris Elba waving Union Jacks from an upstairs balcony. 'Welcome to the House of Stella McCartney!' Stella told the press after cutting the shop's big red ribbon. 'I have been the architect in this process, creating this space.' The shop had been designed 'with bespoke personal experiences at its core' – a ball pit and climbing wall for kids on the ground floor and with art and sound installations throughout. Old Bond Street is 'probably one of the most prestigious retail locations in the world, it's an incredible honour for us [to be here],' The fashion designer said at the time: 'This store really tells the story of the world of Stella McCartney.' And like any good story, it features the rough and the smooth – decorative rocks sourced from the McCartney family farm in Scotland and a pink faux-fur-lined lift dubbed the 'Stellavator'. While the label is reportedly close to signing a new lease, they have yet to confirm where that will be (the brand did not respond to The Telegraph's request for comment). 'Stella McCartney is known for creating traditional luxury fashion, and traditional luxury fashion is expensive, and it needs certain codes - for example, fancy stores and amazing shows,' says sustainable fashion activist Orsola de Castro. 'A lot of money goes into these endeavours. A brand that also tries to be sustainable from a traditional luxury parameter has even more expenses than traditional luxury brands… So it is also not surprising that (in 2025), when brands are selling less, it would be one of the more sustainable brands that takes a hit.' Whether these changes symbolise a temporary setback or a more permanent problem for the brand – who are reportedly racing to cut costs citing 'significant pressure' from inflation on materials and salaries, plus the end of tax-free shopping in the UK, remains to be seen. Either way, it's a huge bump in the road for a brand that has blazed a trail within the fashion industry. 'Stella McCartney was the first designer showing in Paris to question the status quo of the luxury fashion market,' wrote The Telegraph's Lisa Armstrong in a review of her spring/summer 2025 show in Paris last September, which she declared 'notably thin on ideas'. 'She made vegan (synthetic, faux leather or whatever you want to call it) bags and shoes seem desirable. She used her hugely privileged position to champion the rights of animals when the rest of the fashion world didn't care… Through an advantageous position at LVMH, McCartney was able to invest in innovative, environmentally-friendly fabric startups and highlight their work at her shows. It doesn't hurt that she can always attract a stellar front row to lend glamour to her cause.' Stella has always had star power, from Kate Moss to Olivia Colman to Mary But, says luxury brand marketing consultant Gabriele Hackworthy, in today's fashion marketplace, a star-studded front row alone doesn't guarantee sales. 'In the early 2000s, the brand defined the 'cool girl' look with its sharp tailoring, effortless dresses, and the iconic Falabella bag…' Hackworthy notes. 'While the industry has shifted and evolved, it's a testament to [Stella McCartney's] creative vision that she has led the brand for over two decades – impressive in an era where top fashion houses are frequently rotating creative directors.' While Victoria Beckham may not boast such a starry front row, she is a huge star herself, living her brand, showcasing wares as diverse as a gown costing £900 to how to use her hit £30 eyeliner across both her and husband David's Instagram feeds (followed by over 120 million people combined) offering styling tips and glimpses into their 'private' world. Indeed, Victoria Beckham's eyeliner and fragrances have been credited by the star herself as helping her business go into profit for the first time in 15 years in 2022, with sales soaring by 52 per cent to £89 million in 2023. 'Fashion right now is deeply tied to cultural currency – and Victoria Beckham, paradoxically, has become more relevant by becoming more restrained, focused and even humble in her approach, repositioning herself from celebrity-designer to serious fashion entrepreneur…' adds Hackworthy, noting that LVMH brands (which Stella McCartney was until very recently) 'thrive by anchoring collections with hero accessories – they build worlds around their bags and shoes… Without a new must-have accessory, it's hard to build momentum. The Stella McCartney brand hasn't had that gravitational pull in years.' Then there are the prices. At £2000-plus, McCartney's off-the-peg trouser suits, renowned for being many career women's introduction to suiting, are more expensive than something similar at Victoria Beckham (£1,450). Newcomer brands such as the classic separates in Amy Powney's new venture Akyn will also challenge in this space. Dr Stine Hedegaard is the course leader for fashion, marketing and sustainability at London College of Fashion, UAL and an academic researcher in sustainable fashion strategy who explains that the UK luxury fashion sector faces a 'complex landscape, including evolving consumer attitudes, economic challenges and likely also consumer confusion about what constitutes sustainability'. 'From a luxury consumer perspective, research indicates there is a growing, but not dominant interest in sustainability. While awareness of sustainability issues is rising, the majority of shoppers don't prioritise sustainable brands when shopping… (sustainability) is not the primary driver for the majority of purchasing decisions in fashion, especially when compared to factors like price and quality. As such, you don't have an advantage from a consumer perspective if you are a luxury brand positioning yourself as sustainable, unless price and quality are key factors of your product offering.' 'For a long time, Stella proved that you could run a profit-making business while being environmentally responsible,' says Dana Thomas. 'She made 'conscious fashion' cool, and proved, for a time, that it was smart business. I hope she can right the course, and do so without sacrificing the good things she does. Fashion needs her.'
Khaleej Times
3 days ago
- Health
- Khaleej Times
Suzy Amis Cameron on new venture Inside Out and sustainability
Two-hundred-thousand gallons of water. Or, the carbon equivalent of driving from Los Angeles to New York. That's how much you'll save by swapping your protein-peppered meal with a plant-based one, explains Suzy Amis Cameron, former actress, model, advocate, and founder of the One Meal A Day movement. She's in Rome for the launch of a branch of Inside Out (IO), a collective that's working towards finding innovative solutions to some of earth's most pressing concerns. The Roman chapter is focused on IO's Fashion, Textiles and Home vertical, and hopes to clear the moult of the industry and replace it with a cleaner, more climate-friendly perspective, to make Rome a beacon of sustainable fashion. For 63-year-old Suzy, mum of five and wife of Avatar filmmaker James Cameron, it's almost like her entire life has been lived in preparation for this moment. Her childhood was spent on a farm in Oklahoma, US, riding horses and connecting with nature. 'Everything from being outdoors in nature to being in ballet classes when I was five years old, and then doing gymnastics and getting very, very involved in horseback riding,' she says, gave her the body awareness she needed to walk runways and be on screen. Which led her to becoming a global icon with an international platform. 'It's a journey of looking at the signs, paying attention to them, and learning from them.' Especially when one is in the spotlight. 'I'm fully aware of the fact that I've been handed a very charmed life, and I've had many, many opportunities... I do have a platform, and I'm really, really grateful… what wakes me up in the middle of the night is, 'what more can I do to make the world a better place for all of our children, and their children, and the generations that we will never meet?'' She recalls many aha moments over the years, times when she recognised the need for change in the world. One of those episodes came when she was pregnant with her first child, Jasper, with ex-husband actor Sam Robards. 'My sister-in-law at the time (30 years ago) took me to a health food store and started talking to me about organic produce,' she recalls. And with that conversation, other niggling concerns arose, about what lotions and potions one should use, what's safe for a baby to wear, what shampoo and soap is good for you — and which ones are pernicious. That was the first tectonic shift that pushed her to explore healthier options. Another came in 2012, when she saw the documentary Forks Over Knives, which posits that food is medicine — it can be healing if you eat right. The film, by Lee Fulkerson, had such an impact on the Camerons that the whole family embraced a plant-based lifestyle overnight. By 2018, she had written a book called OMD: The Simple, Plant-Based Program to Save Your Health, Save Your Waistline, and Save the Planet, decimating the most common argument against eating plant-based meals: how to make them as nutritionally dense and delicious as 'normal' food. She had sparked a movement she called OMD (one meal a day). And, by 2020, she had convinced American talk show host Oprah Winfrey to subscribe to the plan. 'If you've been thinking about going vegetarian or vegan, I think this is a good way to lean into it where you don't have to give up everything you've been eating your whole life in one day,' Winfrey told Oprah Magazine at the time. Benefits of a new menu 'Every meal is a chance to nourish our bodies, show care for our communities, and make a positive impact on the planet. OMD is about starting where you are, and embracing small, meaningful steps,' says Amis Cameron. She works on creating ripples in the status quo, lobbying small, well-informed tweaks that bring about lasting change. 'You can't make a change until you see and understand what the problem is, and the only way to find out what the problem is or the challenge is, is to have information and be educated.' Every meal is a chance to nourish our bodies, show care for our communities, and make a positive impact on the planet. OMD is about starting where you are, and embracing small, meaningful steps" When she began to educate others, she also started to learn more about the waste we generate — between 2.1 billion and 2.3 billion tonnes of municipal solid waste a year, according to United Nations Environment Programme — the damage it does, and the work that humanity must put in to secure the world. And so she learned about the toxins that spike our food and drink, and our clothes. The result was the 2024 documentary Let Them Be Naked, which was directed by designer Jeff Garner. It investigates the contamination of clothes and the resulting illnesses. While Garner has been spearheading the move towards sustainable fashion since 2002, he only started investigating the repercussions of synthetic toxins in daily wear in 2019 after his mum, Peggy Lynn Garner, passed away from cancer. For Suzy, the research made one thing clear: 'It's not enough [for brands] to swap fabrics or chase certifications. Real change begins with transparency — knowing your supply chain, protecting your workers, and doing the hard, human work of rethinking the system inside out. We'd love to see fashion companies lead with compassion — ensuring safe conditions, fair wages, and access to basic human rights like healthcare. From there, we can meaningfully tackle emissions, toxins, and waste.' 'In terms of household name designers that we know, we're currently consulting and working with many of them now,' she says. She has made inroads in championing low-impact fashion on the red carpets of celebrity-studded awards too. In 2009, she launched the red carpet green dress initiative, which calls for responsibility and sustainability solutions. At the time, some were reticent about partnering up. 'It's really in the zeitgeist right now,' she adds. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Suzy Amis Cameron (@suzyamiscameron) Current projects Her recent project, IO, takes on more than fashion; it works across six verticals: IO Science, Research, and Technology; IO Fashion, Textiles, and Home (IO FTH); IO Global Food Production (IO GFP); IO Education; IO Media; and IO Wellness. 'The one thing that really, really excites me about IO across all of the verticals is the partnerships that we've created with the leading universities [such as] MIT, Texas Tech, and Georgia Tech. We actually have solutions for remediating polyester and also remediating PFAs [perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances] out of soil, out of water,' she says over Zoom. The basis of the initiative, she explains, is: 'What you put in your body, how it affects your health, and how it affects the health of the planet. Which, in turn, affects not only the population of the human race but also every animal, every tree, every flower.' Of course, a good cause doesn't excuse poor brand performance. 'We have a fiduciary responsibility to our investors. We have three ROIs: return on investment, on impact, integrity,' she says. The former actress, whose reel credits include The Usual Suspects and Titanic, lives by her own rules, pointing out on the call that she's got organic raw vegetables waiting for her in her Roman hotel room. 'I live in New Zealand now and am very, very strategic about when I travel and where I go and the amount of things that I fit into whatever that trip is,' she adds. Other things she suggests people do are to buy less, revisit old outfits more, and common sense moves, such as taking public transport or carpooling. Actions speak loud If it weren't absolutely clear that Suzy is committed to her cause, you'd just need to follow the paper trail for proof. She has invested $65 million (Dh238 million) of her own money into IO and plans to raise another $300 million. 'For me, this mission is deeply personal — shaped by my own lived experience and a conviction that meaningful global change is not only possible, but necessary. The turning point came when I realised how much untapped potential exists at the intersection of sustainability, technology, and culture,' she explains. Change, while inevitable, is not an easy process — and when it comes to bettering the world, there must be a multi-pronged approach, says Suzy. 'Any sort of systemic change needs to be multi-pronged, so you're working with governments, policy makers, directly with the consumer, and the manufacturers.' And you must work with end-users; until demand changes, supply will not either. So, we must demand sustainable solutions. But what does that really mean? 'The word has been stretched so thin that it's often misunderstood. Many people believe they're making responsible choices, when, in fact, they may be unknowingly contributing to harm. That disconnect can be discouraging — but what keeps me hopeful is perspective. When I look back at where we started and how far we've come, the shift is undeniable. We still have a long journey ahead — one where we can't simply sustain the status quo — but I truly believe systemic change is within reach in our lifetime.' Just begin by swapping meat for vegetables and taking on the OMD challenge — there, you are already making the world a better place.
Daily Mail
4 days ago
- Business
- Daily Mail
Vinnies surprises Aussies with major announcement that's set to change the way you shop forever
One of Australia's favourite op shops has finally launched a digital store, offering 30,000 pre-loved fashion pieces - ranging from designer labels to popular high-street brands. Vinnies has taken thrift shopping to a whole new level with its new platform, aptly named Vinnies Finds, making sustainable, affordable style more accessible than ever. Every donated item has been carefully curated by a team of 25 staff and volunteers at Vinnies' warehouse in Sydney 's inner west, with shipping available nationwide. With new men's and women's clothes, shoes and accessories dropping daily, shoppers can grab bargains on their favourite brands - including Burberry, Kate Spade, Christian Dior, Chanel, Zimmermann, New Balance and Nike and more. With growing demand for second-hand shopping and vintage clothing - along with the rise of the thrifting trend on social media - it's no surprise that op shops have seen a huge spike in popularity in recent years. And now, after more than 100 years of running brick-and-mortar shops, Vinnies is expanding its internet presence with its first-ever online store, offering tens of thousands of donated items, including pre-loved treasures and unique pieces. 'As shopping habits evolve in the digital age, our move online ensures Vinnies remains relevant and accessible. Today's consumers are seeking convenience, sustainability, and style, all in one click,' Vinnies NSW CEO Yolanda Saiz told FEMAIL. 'Going digital allows us to reach a wider crowd and keep up with the growing demand for eco-friendly options, all while giving pre-loved clothes a second life.' Avid thrift enthusiasts can shop by category, brand, curated collection, price, or by using specific search terms, making it easy to browse and purchase second-hand menswear, womenswear, shoes, accessories, and jewellery. 'New items are uploaded daily, ensuring a constantly refreshed product offering. Items will be rotated seasonally so at the moment you will see a lot of Autumn and Winter wear, but you can also shop now if you want to get summer clothes for your Euro Summer trip,' Ms Saiz said. 'Shoppers can expect a carefully curated range of fashion that includes everything from everyday essentials to high-end designer pieces. You'll find well-known names alongside one-of-a-kind treasures you won't see anywhere else. 'Prices are designed to focus on quality and affordability, reflecting Vinnies' commitment to accessible fashion for all. 'Whether you're hunting for a statement dress, designer shoes, or a timeless vintage jacket, there's something for every budget.' Not only will shoppers find great deals, but they will also be supporting a worthy cause with every purchase. 'Vinnies Finds combines the treasure-hunt experience of thrifting with the convenience of shopping online, all while supporting the work of Vinnies in communities across NSW,' Ms Saiz said. 'It's an affordable way to enjoy fashion while supporting sustainability and giving back to the community.' The online inventory is managed at the Vinnies Finds warehouse in Stanmore, where a dedicated team - many of whom are fashion students or sustainability enthusiasts - pick and pack orders from Monday to Friday. Shoppers are welcome to donate their pre-loved clothes to Vinnies for inclusion in the digital store, Vinnies Finds. 'The process is straightforward and ensures that only quality items make it online,' Ms Saiz explained. 'To donate, simply drop off your clean, gently used clothing and accessories at any Vinnies shop during business hours. A helpful rule of thumb is: if you'd give it to a mate, it's good to donate. 'Once your items are donated, each item is carefully sorted and assessed for quality. Suitable items are prepared for sale in our shops and online store. This includes photographing and cataloguing items for Vinnies Finds. 'By donating to Vinnies, you're not only giving your pre-loved items a new life but also supporting a sustainable and circular economy, all while helping those in need.' The proceeds from these sales directly fund Vinnies' programs and services, supporting thousands of vulnerable individuals and families across NSW each year. 'What's exciting about launching Vinnies Finds is how it brings together purpose and convenience. It's not just about shopping, it's about making second-hand fashion easier to access, giving clothes a second life, and supporting local communities at the same time,' she said. 'It's also a big move toward a more sustainable future. By making it easier to buy pre- loved items, Vinnies is helping to reduce textile waste and support a circular economy. 'And while shoppers find great pieces online, they're also helping fund essential services like crisis accommodation, food support, and help for families doing it tough.'
