Slow Fashion Forward

A new season begins! Ebba and Sandra catch up across continents, reflecting on the past months, self-awareness, and slow habits while navigating life, studies, and planning the new podcast season. From Costa Rica’s pesticides and earthquakes to mindful routines and fresh mindsets, this episode sets the stage for a season full of new perspectives, featuring guests from across the fashion and sustainability space, recorded between Berlin and Costa Rica.Find us on Instagram, Linkedin and TikTok 🩷

In the last episode this season, we share an interview with Marco who Ebba met at Ljubljana fashion week in October 2024. Ebba asked “What does sustainable fashion mean to you?” followed up with “Whose responsibility is it?” From personal values to the importance of systemic and mindset change, we discuss the various perspectives and opinions on what sustainability looks like and who’s holding the needle. Thank you for listening this season, we would love to connect with you -> instagram.com/slowfashionforward 

In Part Two of this episode, we ask: Did capitalism drive population growth—or was it inevitable? We then mention theories from Marx, Bourdieu, Kawamura, and Tansy E. Hoskins to explore fashion’s role as a system of social capital, symbolism, and identity. Can fashion exist without exploitation—or is imagining a new, fairer system just a utopia? Join us as we try to untangle the 13 page research.Sources:Roland Barthes – Theory of Semiotics and Fashion as a System of Signs (also discussed in Fashion Theory, Episode S1.E4)Pierre Bourdieu – Theory of Cultural and Social Capital (also discussed in Fashion Theory, Episode S1.E4)Yuniya Kawamura – Fashion-ology: An Introduction to Fashion StudiesTansy E. Hoskins – The Anti-Capitalist Book of FashionDavid Graeber – Debt: The First 5000 Years

In Part One of this juicy two-parter, we break down the foundations of capitalism to understand how it underpins the fashion industry. We have heard that capitalism can survive without fashion—but can fashion exist without capitalism? We explore how capitalism evolved from feudalism, its core features like private ownership and profit, and how it fuels consumption, inequality, and endless production. Drawing on thinkers like Max Weber and David Graeber, we trace capitalism’s ties to labor, credit, and colonialism—laying the groundwork for how this system is stitched into every transaction we make. Make sure to check out our Instagram for more insights and content on the topic! -> instagram.com/slowfashionforwardSources:David Graeber - Debt: The first 5000 yearsYuniya Kawamura - Fashion-ology

In Episode Three of Slow Fashion Forward, we delve into the craftsmanship found in Indigenous communities in South America.Our dear friend and colleague from SFS, Daniela Méndez Polo, guides us through the different techniques used, what it means to preserve this heritage, and the role it plays in the broader international fashion industry.Sources mentioned and used in this episode include:Links: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sr4UCzirTAEDaniela Méndez Polo on Instagram: danipolo14

What are our clothes actually made of? In this episode, Ebba and Sandra break down the basics of textile fibres—from natural to man-made. We explore where they come from, how they’re produced, and what that means for the planet. A perfect intro if you’ve ever wondered what lies beneath the surface of your wardrobe.Sources mentioned and used in this episode include:Textiles by Sara J. Kadolph

Catch up with Ebba and Sandra before heading into the new season. What have they been up to since last time and how did their Slow challenge go? Tune and and hear what fashion events and happenings they have experienced and what’s in store for this season?Thank you for listening to SFF, follow us on Instagram and join us on Patreon for exclusive bonus content <3

In the second bonus episode, we sit down with Maria Borbos, founder of Nimble Patch, to discuss her inspiring journey. From studying fashion design in Sweden and Denmark to building a company dedicated to upcycling denim apparel at an industry scale, Maria shares her vision for creating a sustainable impact on the textile and fashion industry.Join us on Patreon to listen to this episode and learn more about recycling in the fashion industry! https://www.patreon.com/c/SlowFashionForward/