As an "accidental oyster farmer" who still loved art and design, my Cynthia Rowley wetsuits became a staple. This splash of style brought a bit of my former life in Paris onto the water with me. It was both purposeful - it extended the time I could stay working in the water - and provided a bit of levity in the often gruelling workday.
I aspire to own less not more, but I do believe that investing in a few special articles of clothing can bring lasting joy and comfort. As an oyster farmer, a well designed wetsuit was one such item.
Having sold my oyster farm, I find myself back in apparel, and now am faced with the opposite challenge: How do I integrate lessons of sustainability from the oyster farm into my new business?
There's no shortage of work to do. The fashion industry is the third most polluting industry and produces about 10% of our annual carbon footprint – more than all international flights and maritime shipping combined.
Much of this is the fault of fast fashion where cheap, effectively disposable, clothes are the norm. But at every stage of the process, there are key issues that need to be cleaned up. The path to sustainability in this $1.7 industry will be an uphill battle, and will likely play out as more of an evolution than a revolution.
At NONESUCH, we aim to be part of the solution not the problem. For sure we will face tough choices along the way. I will share that journey with you through this blog.