Oladipo Ogunleye’s Post

Imagine a world where moving away from excess becomes the new '' cool '' . TikTok's anti - overconsumption movement is not just a trend - it's a resounding wake-up call for brands worldwide. Adapt or fade - As public concerns around waste and climate change is growing louder , the call for balanced business models is the need of the hour. Consumers are embracing pledges such as the '' Rule of 5 '' , taking on the challenge of de-influencing and redefining their relationship with clothing.   Are you part of the movement ?   #BalancedBusinessModels #DeInfluencing #MindfulConsumption #ChangeMakers https://lnkd.in/eywtD7Dx

Sharing because it’s so powerful. The way people view you. Sometimes I think about the different characters I play in everybody’s story. I’m a terrible person in some people's narratives and a Godsend in others. And none of it has anything to do with the person I truly am. The lens that others view you through is coloured by their upbringing, beliefs, and individual experiences. Some people see your bright personality as endearing and others see it as annoying. Some people think you’re weak and emotional and others feel safe to be themselves around you. Some people think you’re rude and selfish and others respect the way you stand up for yourself. Some people admire the way you take pride in the way you look and others think you’re conceited. And none of it has to do with who you truly are as a person. What you have to understand is that you have no authority over how people view you so never try to control the way others see you because the only thing that truly matters when the dust settles down at the end of the day is what you genuinely see in yourself. Be yourself 🤗 💫Same way "Reflecting on the power of perception today. Just like in life, the way people view our work can vary greatly. In some eyes, our sustainable fashion range is a beacon of hope for a greener future, while in others it might seem like just another brand. But what matters most is the authenticity and passion we pour into our craft, reviving the fading art of handicrafts , recycling household fabric waste saving the environment and empowering women with learning and earning opportunities. Not to forget the circular economy aspect. Our mission remains unwavering, and we're proud to stand by our values, regardless of how others perceive us. Let's keep creating positive change, one stitch at a time. Cheers 🥂 to #SustainableFashion #HandicraftRevival #PerceptionVsReality"

I can't recommend Brittany Sierra’s Substack enough—it’s quickly become one of my go-to daily reads for sustainability insights. If you’re in the sustainable fashion space, I highly suggest subscribing: https://shorturl.at/uYUA9 In her latest post, Brittany makes a critical point about perception, reception, and the reality of working toward change in fashion. She highlights how many of us tend to react with skepticism when big brands introduce sustainability initiatives. And while it's absolutely essential to demand transparency and accountability, we also need to embrace progress over perfection. This reminded me of the reactions to Primark ’s recent steps towards improving material durability. The initiative sparked a wave of skepticism, with many alleging greenwashing. While we do need to hold brands accountable for overproduction and oversupply, it’s equally important to recognize the shifts they’re making. Primark’s initiative is a small but crucial step, and yes—there's an enormous amount of work still to be done. But part of that work involves shifting consumer mindsets and encouraging longer garment lifecycles, even within fast fashion. We must continue to push brands to evolve, but also encourage consumers to rethink their relationship with clothing. What are your thoughts on balancing healthy skepticism with acknowledging genuine progress? #SustainableFashion #Greenwashing #FashionChange #Primark #CircularEconomy #ProgressOverPerfection #EthicalFashion

Can Fashion Week and Sustainability coexist? Fashion Week is a runway of contradictions when it comes to sustainability. While brands talk about their sustainability commitments, they flaunt their not so "eco-conscious" collections each season. The reality is that Fashion Week is not just a display of creative artistry, it is also a spectacle of excess and waste. ♻️ Transcontinental flights: Influencers and industry professionals jet-set between major fashion capitals, contributing significantly to carbon emissions. ♻️ Excessive events: Runway shows, after-parties, and other events often involve excessive waste in catering, decorations, and promotional materials. ♻️ Greenwashing: Many brands use sustainable materials as a marketing gimmick, while the core of their business remains unsustainable. ♻️ Fast fashion dominance: Fast fashion brands, known for their unsustainable practices, are increasingly infiltrating Fashion Week. It's time for the industry to rethink its priorities and embrace a future that's not just trendy, but truly ethical for the sake of our planet. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/dfv7Cvw2

Sometimes I am asked about how I talk about sustainability with my kids. As a sustainable fashion innovator, I am driven by leaving this world in a better place for our kids - so this question is so important to me. 🌻 Kids are sponges. They are watching and listening, even though sometimes it doesn't seem like it. They see our actions and shopping choices every day. They hear what we say. Now, what do you do about it? 😎 Talk about your shopping decisions or consumption in an approachable way. Use kid-friendly language. 🌳 Talk about our Earth and that resources are limited, but that we have the power to help make the resources last longer. 📖 It doesn't have to be a big discussion, but is more of a daily habit around the small actions and choices we make. They are listening. They are learning. And, the habits we instill now will stay with them as they grow up and raise the next generation. If you want specific conversation ideas or ways to talk about sustainability in your home, comment below. 💚 #sustainablefashion #circulareconomy #femalefounder

A new report by youth culture agency Archrival and Tumblr came out last week, highlighting the growing gap between what marketers *think* resonates with Gen Z and what actually does. While marketers believe their campaigns are hitting the mark, only 42% of Gen Z agrees. Seventy percent of Gen Z says it’s hard to find brands that truly speak to them, and 68% can’t remember the last time a brand’s marketing left a memorable impression. Brands are spending millions trying to position themselves as culturally relevant, but many are perceived by Gen Z as out of touch, late to trends, or worse—just plain "cringe." Yikes! 🙃 But there’s a silver lining for brands willing to adapt—and an incredible opportunity for sustainable fashion. We’re witnessing a pivotal moment where sustainable brands are uniquely positioned to capture not just niche markets but also mainstream consumers who are increasingly disillusioned with traditional brands and are craving what sustainable fashion inherently offers. Over on my Substack, I dive deeper into how sustainable brands can better connect with today’s culture-shifting consumers. I also explore how Coach's latest Coachtopia campaign missed the mark, and what brands can learn from their approach to circularity and Gen Z engagement. If you're interested in how brands can bridge the gap between consumer expectations and marketing strategies—and want to explore practical, actionable insights for sustainable fashion—come join the conversation! Each week, I share in-depth analysis, case studies, interviews, and the latest trends at the intersection of fashion, psychology, consumer behavior, and sustainability to challenge norms, shift consumer habits, and bring sustainability into the mainstream. Get this and more delivered straight to your inbox every week! 🤓🧠 https://lnkd.in/gUYu6XM2

“In a hyper-consumerist era of social media, flooded with product reviews and shopping haul videos, a backlash to overconsumption is brewing,” writes Rachel Cernansky for Vogue Business referring indeed to the likes of the Rule of 5 campaign launched by Tiffanie Darke last year. Some fantastic thoughts in here about the work lots of us are doing to drive change in this space accordingly with the very sage insights of Katia Dayan Vladimirova front and centre. “What is good for the planet is also good for our mental health and our well-being. If we buy less, but we buy more mindfully, we are happier. And the planet is going to thank us because we don’t need that much stuff,” she says. Vladimirova envisions a future I wholeheartedly agree with - one in which customers continue to spend money on fashion, but only 40% of that (instead of today’s 97.9%) goes on new pieces; 30% instead goes to “fashion experiences” such as rental or digital fashion, and the final 30% to “maintenance and improvement”, like repairs and upcycling. I talked to Rachel C then about the need to social proof all this and make it fundamentally the cool or desirable thing to do. 😎 💚 Read the full piece here:  https://lnkd.in/gJu6xg8m    #overconsumption #sustainablefashion #sustainability

Fashion Revolution Week wraps up its runway today. Did you take part in the Revolution? ✂ What is Fashion Revolution Week? 🌍 Run by fashionrevolution.org, the annual campaign is the world’s largest fashion activism movement, exploring fashion’s role in driving social and environmental justice. How to get involved. 👗Transforming the fashion industry so it is part of the SOLUTION (rather than the problem) is a long-term challenge. It won’t happen overnight. This year’s theme invites the global community to share their learnings on what it means to be part of the fashion revolution - from their origin stories, to their lessons learned, hopes for the future and messages for Fashion Revolutionaries, new and old. As well as local events, Revolutionaries are invited to host their own event, learn how to mend their clothes at home (and share their work publicly) or simply spread the word about the Revolution. When we take individual action together, we harness the power of the collective and make a positive impact on our planet. #wearefashionrevolution

In today's fast-paced world, where environmental concerns are at an all-time high.. sustainable fashion has emerged as a beacon of hope for a greener future. However, despite it's intentions & growing popularity, Gen Z - known for their social consciousness and digital savviness, often hesitates to fully embrace this movement. 👇🏼 Here's why 👇🏼 - Cost Consideration 💵 - Lack of Accessibility 🤲🏼 - Social Media Influence 📸 - Instant Gratification Culture 👀 - Lack of Education 🧠 While Gen Z values sustainability and social responsibility, several factors hinder their adoption of sustainable fashion. Overcoming these obstacles will require a concerted effort from brands, influencers, and educators to make sustainable options more accessible, affordable, and appealing to the next generation of consumers. 🌿 This is why SpeedLee offers a Sustainable Fashion Competition in-app to grow awareness, educate + popularise sustainability & its ethical retailers with their consumers 🌿 https://lnkd.in/ej8g6xiH

Let's Talk Size Inclusivity: Is Cancel Culture the Answer? I know some might disagree, but hear me out. Not every brand has to be all-encompassing right off the bat. Here's why: A Founder's Story: I once worked with a clothing brand founder who launched in sizes 8-14 based on research and data. It was a hit! But after intense (and frankly, not-so-constructive) feedback on TikTok, she expanded to size 20. The Result? Crickets. Not a single sale in those new sizes. Why? Because her initial research was spot-on. Her target audience loved her product, and it fit their needs perfectly. There are several reasons smaller brands might not offer a full size range: Demand: If the data shows limited interest in larger sizes, producing them can lead to dead stock (unsold items) that hurt the business. Budget: Smaller brands often have tight budgets. Offering more sizes means higher production costs, which can be a major hurdle. Sustainability: More sizes can create more textile waste. We should all be striving for a more sustainable fashion industry. Plus-Size Nuance: Plus-size bodies have different proportions. Simply scaling up a size medium won't work. Developing proper plus-size fits requires significant investment. Production Costs: More fabric = higher costs. This can price many consumers out, which isn't the goal! Here's the caveat: I'm ALL FOR size inclusivity! But the current "cancel if not all-inclusive" approach is short-sighted. Let's have a more open discussion. ️ What are your thoughts? Are there ways to encourage size inclusivity without pressuring smaller businesses? Let's chat in the comments #fashion #fashionindustry #textilewaste #smallbusiness #businessoffashion #BOF #indianbusiness #business