What happens when you bring together four incredible designers, one expert moderator, and a room full of fashion lovers? A night of eye-opening conversations, fresh perspectives, and plenty of inspiration!
To kick off London Fashion Week, we held an exclusive panel discussion in our London Flagship store, and we’re still buzzing from the energy in the room. With over 50 guests attending our sold-out event, the evening was packed with insights, laughter, and maybe even a little bit of fashion industry gossip (shh!).
If you missed it, don’t worry. We’ve rounded up the best bits for you right here.
Meet the Experts
Our panel featured an inspiring group of designers who have each built their own sustainable brands: sustainable womenswear designer Gunda Hafner, master knitter focused on zero-waste Valentina Karellas and Nanon Protpagorn designer of lab-grown jewellery brand Juvetti.
Guiding the discussion was none other than Stacy Chan, founder of PLATFORM, who brought her signature wit and unique perspective on brand building and sustainability to the conversation around the wins, struggles, and unexpected surprises along the journey of How to Build a Sustainable Brand. Here’s the lowdown on the key insights our panelists shared:
Key Takeaways
- Why Start a Sustainable Brand?
Every designer’s journey is unique. Some (like Gunda and Valentina) came from a traditional fashion background, while others (like Stacy and Nanon) made the leap from corporate careers. The one thing they all had in common? A passion for doing things differently, choosing quality, ethics, and sustainability over fast fashion’s throwaway culture.
- Was Sustainability Always the Goal?
Not necessarily! While some designers started with sustainability in mind, others found themselves naturally drawn to it while sourcing better materials and rethinking waste in production. Turns out, when you focus on quality, sustainability often follows.
- How Do You Tell the Sustainability Story to Customers?
Getting people to care about sustainability is one thing. Getting them to buy sustainable products is another. So how do you tell your story in a way that connects?
For clothing brands, transparency about materials and production processes is key. For jewellery brands, explaining the ethics behind sourcing and craftsmanship makes all the difference.
However, one constant remains, storytelling through social media, brand messaging, and direct conversations with customers are key to raising awareness and helping them form a connection with your pieces.
- Does Sustainability Make Business Easier or Harder?
The verdict? Both! While it adds challenges (higher costs, smaller production runs, and constant education), being a sustainable brand also helps to set you apart in a crowded market. Customers are craving brands with purpose, and these designers are proving that it’s possible to combine ethics with aesthetics.
- The Future of Sustainable Fashion: What’s Next?
Our panellists were hopeful and excited about what’s ahead. From innovative materials to circular fashion models, there’s no doubt that the industry is evolving. And with consumers becoming more conscious about their choices, sustainable brands are gaining momentum like never before.
- Advice for Emerging Designers & Entrepreneurs
If you’re dreaming of launching your own sustainable brand, here’s what our panellists had to say:
- Start with passion – Sustainability isn’t just a checkbox, it’s a mindset.
- Educate yourself & your audience – Customers love a good behind-the-scenes story.
- Be patient – The journey is long and can be trying, but the impact is worth it.
- Build a community – Your customers are your biggest advocates, connect with them!
Shop the Looks
Feeling inspired? You don’t have to just read about these designers, you can shop their collections too! Discover their stunning, sustainable pieces in-store and online at PLATFORM. Every purchase supports independent brands that are making a real difference in fashion.
Final Thoughts
If there’s one thing this panel reminded us, it’s that sustainability isn’t a passing trend, it’s the future of fashion. And the best part? We all get to be a part of this movement.
A huge thank you to our incredible panellists and to everyone who joined us for this unforgettable evening. There are more exciting events on the horizon, so stay tuned, and let’s keep the conversation going!
