Episode 212 | COMET CHUKURA, GLOW + THE WHITE GAZE IN SUSTAINABLE FASHION

In episode 212, Kestrel welcomes Comet Chukura, the founder of GLOW, to the show. A knitwear brand pioneering adaptable accessories that reflect light, GLOW is committed to using sustainable materials and ethical production, with an intention to create social as well as environmental impact.

“The point is to always work with women on the peripheries — slow fashion, since it’s all hand-knitted and crocheted, it does take a while to make — but the point is to utilize skills, which they would otherwise fall by the wayside, and kind of give Indigenous handicraft the respect it deserves in our system of fashion.”
-Comet Chukura, Founder of GLOW


GLOW

On this week’s show, Comet shares more what about led her to build GLOW, what her supply chain looks like, and how working with marginalized women is at the core of the brand. Additionally, she explains how the “tech” works for GLOW’s sustainable, high visibility yarn.

Additionally, we touch on the layers of issues connected to the white gaze and white savior complex within the sustainable fashion industry — Comet recently wrote an article for Refinery29 called “Supporting Black-Owned Brands Shouldn’t Be A Goodwill Gesture” in which she explores this more deeply.

The below thoughts, ideas + organizations were brought up in this chat:


This week’s Conscious Chatter episode is brought to you by:

 

ECO-STYLIST

A marketplace for sustainable men’s clothes, Eco-Stylist helps you dress like you give a damn — and allows you to look sharp without compromising your values. Featuring 50+ researched brands and 350+ curated items, Eco-Stylist is a curated destination for menswear. They now offer sustainable brand ratings for all of their featured brands, that highlight what they’re doing well and where they need improvement, with a focus on three tenants: transparency, fair labor and sustainably made.



 
I no longer want to support conventional brands in fashion when there are brands actively making the space better for people and the planet.
— Garik Himebaugh, Founder Eco-Stylist


Thanks for listening! Subscribe, download, and leave a review for Conscious Chatter on iTunes if you get a chance. I big time appreciate your support!

P.S. If you want to connect, send me a DM on Instagram @consciouschatter! <3 Kestrel