The first in the 'Ask the Experts' series we ask "What first got you involved in Sustainable fashion?"- Learn about why some of the best in the sustainable fashion industry got inspired to change the way they think about the fashion world they love.

STARTING IN SUSTAINABLE FASHION - ASK THE EXPERTS SERIES

If you're already involved in sustainable fashion or are thinking of getting more involved in the growing and important movement to make more ethical fashion choices then you'll love the first in our 'Ask the Experts' series. We asked some of the most popular sustainable fashion experts in the industry about what first got them involved in Sustainable Fashion?

DANICA RATTE from WILD TUSSAH

"I first found my appreciation for sustainable fashion after I went on a five-week trip through South East Asia. I went on a two-day trek and overnight stay with a Black Hmong guide and her family. After finding out how they grew hemp, dyed their weaves and that these techniques are slowly being lost amongst the newer generations, it sparked the idea to create Wild Tussah."

(Photo Credit - Wild Tussah)

ZOË PEATE from DUENDE BY MADAM ZOZO

"I have a bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science, but it wasn’t until the tragic 2013 Rana Plaza building collapse in Bangladesh that I connected what I’d learned around sustainability to the clothes hanging in my wardrobe. This terrible incident saw a death toll of over 1,000 people and over 2,500 people injured many of whom were garment workers in clothing factories that should never have been occupied. That was a big wake up call for me to consider the vertical supply chain, and ask questions about where the things I consume come from, whether it’s food, fashion or otherwise." "I have a bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science, but it wasn’t until the tragic 2013 Rana Plaza building collapse in Bangladesh that I connected what I’d learned around sustainability to the clothes hanging in my wardrobe. This terrible incident saw a death toll of over 1,000 people and over 2,500 people injured many of whom were garment workers in clothing factories that should never have been occupied. That was a big wake up call for me to consider the vertical supply chain, and ask questions about where the things I consume come from, whether it’s food, fashion or otherwise."

MARIA GIOVANNA LADU from ELEGANT FIND

"I was first interested in sustainable fashion through my love of vintage clothing. That pushed me to rethink my closet, as an investment and something to be constructed responsibly. The throw-away fast fashion culture really didn't appeal to me, and my belief that clothes should be an investment naturally lent itself to thinking about clothes in terms of sustainability."

(Photo Credit - Elegant Find)

LAURA COOPER from THE GREEN EDITION

"I studied environmental science, and the environmental concerns of the fashion industry led on from there. I started to research more about it and it was like Pandora’s box, once you start to learn more about it, it’s difficult to ignore. I noticed there was a lot of people doing cool things to help the industry, but it was difficult to find information. A lot of brands seemed to be in the US and Australia so I started The Green Edition to collate information about ethical fashion available to people living in Europe."

FAYE DE LANTY from FASHIONHOUND.TV

"I grew up with parents who have always been into second hand, antiques, thrift shopping, DIY...it got in by osmosis. When I lived overseas it went from past time to practicality. Thrift shopping was genuinely all I could afford so I challenged myself to create high end looks with minimal spend. The more I did it the more I realized it could not only help me but others and the environment too."

(Photo Credit - Fashion Hound)

SIAN CONWAY from ETHICAL HOUR

"My journey into sustainable fashion began when I started to question where my clothes were coming from - I was traveling in Cambodia where a lot of fast fashion is made. It's the countries that produce the clothes where the people suffer the effects of fast fashion the most, from labor abuses to climate change, and it's not fair that we're putting people through that just so we can have something cute to wear. Fashion is one of the biggest polluters and contributors to climate change worldwide, but our clothes are also a form of expression and a powerful way to show the world who we are and what we stand for. I want to make sure that what I stand for, and what I wear while I do it, is something good."

SOPHIE NEWMAN from ETHICALFASHION.NET.AU

"Having a life-long obsession with quality fashion and the art of style, I became increasingly opposed to the culture of trend based, throw-away fashion. It just didn't make sense to me that it was something people would truly want if you took away all of the hype and emotion-driven marketing. After taking in the true impact of the fast-fashion industry, I knew I had to put my support behind brands who were making beautiful, quality pieces and showing the world it could be done without harm to people or the environment."

(Photo Credit - Ethicalfashion.net.au)

SUMMER EDWARDS from TORTOISE AND LADY GREY

"I started exploring ethical fashion seriously after living and working in China in 2010. While working with a women's NGO there that year, I had direct experience with factory workers, and although these women that I knew were not employed in the garment sector, this experience made the ethical issues in Chinese manufacturing so much more real for me. Upon my return to Australia, I started to explore the burgeoning ethical and sustainable fashion movement. At this time it took a great deal of research to cut through the greenwash, and I eventually realized that I should share the research with others. So I launched my blog in 2013 and things grew from there."

Special thanks to Summer, Sophie, Sian, Faye, Laura, Maria, Zoë and Dancia for sharing their insights with those looking to follow in their footsteps. Next week, in the 'Ask the Experts' series, we ask - "Who inspires you in the sustainable fashion world and why?", so tune back in then!