On Thursday I attended my first FBC meeting. I could not have asked for a more ideal induction to the members’ only club than the one organised by FBC co-founders Courtney Blackman and Alison Whelan on Thursday 30th of September. Guest interviewee was Laura Bailey, model, advocate of sustainable fashion and mother, whilst interviewer was none other than Vogue.com‘s editor Dolly Jones.
Dolly started off the interview with questions focused on Laura’s career as a model and followed through to her work with Vogue.com and the Green Style Blog, a platform to discuss, debate and promote sustainable fashion.
According to long time FBCers the Q&A session that followed was the longest recorded so far, whilst the press present also frantically took notes. Both an indication that the audience felt passionate about the issues raised by Laura Bailey and Dolly Jones.
Laura tackled concerns that resonated with those faced by ZANACCO on a daily basis. These included the set backs that brands face when tagged green or eco- friendly. Laura says that “the success of ethical fashion needs to be in terms of style and not eco-credentials.” Whilst on the multitude of ways one can support sustainable fashion Laura said “I grew up in a way that was naturally green but without the labels. I have never been an ‘It Bag Girl’ or bought ‘One Night Stand Dresses.’ I have always been more of a vintage, long-term shopper, happy to pick up £5 vintage bargains. ”
As a designer of a sustainable luxury brand I must admit that it is thanks to the work of people like Laura and Dolly that the promotion of brands, with an enviromental conscience, such as Zanacco, itself has become an easier task- though there is obviously still a lot of work to be done.
On a more casual note we could not help but notice the shoes Laura was wearing.
To Laura Bailey and Dolly Jones a thank you for bringing the debate on sustainable fashion to the forefront. To FBC’s co-founders Courtney Blackman and Alison Whelan thank you for making it tangible!
If you would like to find out more about the debates and meetings organised by FBC please have a look here.
