Geoff van Sonsbeeck has been at the forefront of the slow, sustainable fashion movement for over 15 years.
Geoff is the Co-Founder and CEO behind the direct to consumer womenswear brands BAUKJEN and ISABELLA OLIVER.
Having spotted a gap in the global market for stylish and high-quality maternity clothing whilst his wife was pregnant, Geoff left his job at Shell International to set up Isabella Oliver back in 2003.
In 2012 he expanded into non-maternity clothing, launching the contemporary womenswear brand “Baukjen” which is now the majority of the overall business.
Baukjen focuses on environmentally, ethically and socially conscious style for a sustainable future. It is working through the process of certification as a B Corp.
We talk about the how the two brands are building on their durable and timeless design ethos and evolving a range of circular practices. These include takeback schemes, resale, and rental. Baukjen is also switching to more sustainable fabrics – even moving away from organic cotton.
We also discuss how consumer attitudes are changing, including the growing interest in fashion rental.
I was struck by the wide range of sustainability initiatives that Geoff and the teams at Baukjen and Isabella Oliver are involved in. For a relatively small company, they are innovating in lots of areas, and, as Geoff said, building a ‘movement for change’ with their supply chain partners.
Baukjen is proving that people are happier with beautiful, well-designed and high-quality garments. People want clothes that fit well, look good and are made to last. Slow, sustainable clothing instead of fast and forgettable.
Podcast host Catherine Weetman is a circular economy business advisor, workshop facilitator, speaker and writer. Her award-winning book, includes lots of practical examples and tips on getting started. Catherine founded Rethink Global in 2013, to help businesses use circular, sustainable approaches to build a better business (and a better world).
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Read on for a summary of the podcast and links to the people, organisations and other resources we mention.
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Links:
* Podcast Episode 11 - Izzie Eriksen of ApparelXchange
* Podcast Episode 18 - Eve Kekeh of Bundlee
* Blog: The ‘new normal’ – why renting clothes is better for us, our planet, and our babies
* Geoff van Sonsbeeck on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/geoffvansonsbeeck/
* Baukjen https://www.
