Arizona Sustainable Apparel Association Growing Together

AZSAA

A podcast powered by Arizona Sustainable Apparel Association. We talk to local sustainable fashion businesses here in Arizona about their brand story, passion for sustainability, and explore ways we can become more responsible stewards of the Earth through our clothing choices.

Episodes

  1. Episode 9- Jessica Zaneis (SoulCare in Surplus)

    06/04/2021

    Episode 9- Jessica Zaneis (SoulCare in Surplus)

    In this episode, we talk to Jessica Zaneis from SoulCare in Surplus about a really unique area of fashion - military uniforms! Inspired by her own family's military history and the retired uniforms hanging in her father's closet, Jes began repurposing military uniforms into messenger bags, shrapnels, and vests. Jes is fiercely protective of the environment and passionate about sustainability. We learn more from Jes about the ins-and-outs of creating an original upcycled design and the trajectory of materials used in military uniforms over the years. We get really deep into some thought-provoking questions about the role of fashion and the sentimental value that a meaningful garment can bring. As we discuss, fashion is so much more than just a product- it's a form of utility, expression, and storytelling. Jes also shares about some cool military initiatives such as Common Threads which tells the history of military uniforms and sustainable innovations that the military has been implementing including sustainable military housing. We're feeling so inspired after this conversation with Jes from SoulCare in Surplus and we hope you will too! If you enjoyed this episode, give Jess a follow on Instagram @soulcareinsurplus to learn more about military life and see her creative upcycled designs! Know anyone who is a veteran? Messenger bags provide a meaningful, sentimental gift so contact Jess on her website at https://www.soulcareinsurplus.com/ to explore creating a custom design.

    40 min
  2. Episode 7- Eartha Hubbell (Shop Revari)

    05/06/2021

    Episode 7- Eartha Hubbell (Shop Revari)

    In this episode, we are joined by Eartha Hubbell who is the owner of Revari, an online sustainable fashion boutique. She is also one of our dedicated board members, serving as the AZSAA secretary! Eartha has been passionate about ethical fashion for a long-time. As a former fashion industry professional, she was exposed to the poor conditions experienced by garment workers in factories and this didn't sit right with her values. From there, she began a journey to shop more environmentally sustainable and ethical clothing made under fair labor conditions, spending hours researching brands. This eventually turned into her incredible side hustle and her online shop Revari! In this episode, we learn more about the stories that inspired her to go more sustainable. We talk about some of the misconceptions around sustainable fashion and she shares some great advice around how to shop sustainably on a budget. A key piece of her business is an "eco and ethics" guide which helps consumers shop brands that align with their values and she breaks down each value for us on the show. Additionally, we learn that Eartha is a passionate activist for many causes beyond just sustainability. We dive into her efforts to donate to causes including food security and women empowerment, and discuss how these social justice issues relate to fashion.  For all our social justice warriors out there, we hope you take a listen to this episode as we chat about ethical values, caring for the environment, and how our consumer habits can make a difference for causes we care about!  To shop Eartha's curated collection, check out https://www.shoprevari.com/ and drool over her adorable desert photo shoots on Instagram @shoprevari.

    46 min
  3. Episode 5- Laurie and CJ (Activ Intimates)

    04/02/2021

    Episode 5- Laurie and CJ (Activ Intimates)

    In this episode, we are joined by sisters CJ and Laurie, the founders of sustainable lingerie company Activ Intimates, inspired by and made for women of all ages to feel sexy! This female-powered business was founded on the idea of creating body positive sustainable lingerie that can help women feel and look their best. In this conversation, we talk about how clothing can truly be a source of empowerment. Laurie and Madeline both get intimate and share some stories about their own experience with body insecurity and how clothing helped them overcome these perspectives. Not only do these sisters design amazing garments, but they also share about the conversations they spark with their customers around sexual wellness through their blog and events.  In addition to an incredible mission to empower women in the bedroom, these sisters are on a journey to be kind to the environment. They tell us how Arizona's Eco-Fashion week inspired them to pivot their business to become more sustainable from finding recycled packaging to implementing zero-waste design, as well as their newest convertible design which can ensure longevity of wear!  The ladies of Activ Intimates are truly role models in the sustainable fashion space. It will be exciting to see what designs they pioneer next!  Connect with Cj and Laurie for conversations around sexual wellness on Facebook @activintimates and treat yourself to a sexy sustainable staple for your bedtime wardrobe at https://www.activintimates.com/.

    44 min

About

A podcast powered by Arizona Sustainable Apparel Association. We talk to local sustainable fashion businesses here in Arizona about their brand story, passion for sustainability, and explore ways we can become more responsible stewards of the Earth through our clothing choices.