My story

Multi-hyphenated careers can be hard to define in a sentence, but I’ll give it a shot here! I am a sustainable fashion expert with a focus on digital communications and campaigning. Previously managing communications for global fashion activism movement Fashion Revolution, where I doubled the size of the social media audience, I have recently joined Action Speaks Louder to lead their textiles campaigns. This work revolves around decarbonising the fashion supply chain by mobilising consumers around the industry's climate impacts and encouraging major brands to invest in renewable energy solutions.

In addition to this role, I am a passionate advocate for workers' rights, having helped launch the Good Clothes Fair Pay campaign, a European Citizens' Initiative fighting for living wages for garment and textile workers. My award-winning writing, podcasts, and social media content about sustainable and ethical fashion can be found across various platforms and publications.

So how did I get here? From working in fast fashion retail and studying fashion marketing at university, to interning in the luxury and editorial sectors and consulting with sustainable brands, I have a wealth of experience in the fashion industry at different levels. The Scottish fashion community is also close to my heart, after working in various art galleries, studios and pop-up shops over the years and connecting with talented local makers.

Alongside my work, I volunteered for Fashion Revolution Scotland from 2017-2020, which involved hosting regular community events, visiting schools and universities, campaigning for reform and consulting with policymakers. In 2016, I won Scottish Fashion Blogger of the Year and in 2017, I was a runner-up for Sustainable Online Business of the Year, both at the Herald Fashion Awards. My podcast Common Threads has been shortlisted for the British Podcast Awards and the P.E.A Sustainability Awards.

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by kirsty mclachlan.jpg — Why ethical fashion?

The fashion system is broken. In an industry thriving on wasteful, exploitative and polluting business models, ‘sustainability’ can no longer be an afterthought or greenwashing buzzword used to accelerate economic growth. To tackle both environmental and social justice, we need drastic systemic change at every stage of the supply chain.
Ethical fashion is so much more than organic cotton t-shirts or in-store recycling schemes. It gets to the heart of making positive change across the industry, from size inclusivity and diversity to eliminating copyright theft and cultural appropriation. It amplifies the voices of marginalised people, and limits profits for fast fashion billionaires. It takes a holistic view of the fashion system, from the people who make our clothes to the influencers who promote them. Ethical fashion is not a niche category. It is the only way forward.