Fashion To Farmer cover art

Fashion To Farmer

Fashion To Farmer

Written by: FashionToFarmer
Listen for free

About this listen

Fashion to Farmer is an engaging podcast hosted by Vanessa Bell, a former international model turned farmer, who navigates the intersecting worlds of high fashion and sustainability. With her unique journey from the runway to the farm, where she produces exquisite Merino wool, Vanessa offers listeners an insider's perspective on sustainable fashion. The podcast serves as a curated journey for those intrigued by the blend of style, sustainability, and the special qualities of Australian Merino wool. "Fashion to Farmer" promises an exclusive look into the creative and ethical processes behind sustainable fashion, making it the go-to series for anyone aspiring to a conscious and chic lifestyle.

Copyright 2026 All rights reserved. Art
Episodes
  • E15: Crafting Slow Fashion: High Tea With Mrs Woo Angela Foong

    E15: Crafting Slow Fashion: High Tea With Mrs Woo Angela Foong
    Sep 11 2024
    In this last episode of Season One of Fashion to Farmer, Vanessa Bell sits down with Angela Foong, co-founder of the slow fashion brand High Tea with Mrs Woo, a creative collaboration with her sisters, Rowena and Juliana. Established in 2004, High Tea with Mrs Woo is celebrated for its timeless, eloquent designs and its strong commitment to sustainability and ethical production.Angela shares her journey in slow fashion, emphasising the importance of creating garments with longevity, passing down skills, and fostering a deep connection between fashion and storytelling. The conversation delves into how High Tea with Mrs Woo maintains a slow fashion model in a fast-paced, trend-driven industry, and the challenges they face in promoting sustainability.Key Takeaways:Longevity and Storytelling: The importance of creating garments with a lasting presence, each piece telling its own story.Passing Down Skills: Storytelling and craftsmanship are core to the brand’s philosophy, both within their family and the community.Unique Silhouettes: Traditional tailoring methods paired with experimentation result in distinctive designs.Sustainable Practices: Designing with the end in mind, mending garments, and creating a secondhand marketplace are essential to their practice.Ethical Partnerships: Long-term relationships with suppliers who share their values are a priority.Challenges in Slow Fashion: Maintaining slow fashion in a fast-paced industry is difficult but vital for creating meaningful change.Education and Awareness: Shifting consumer mindset towards sustainability is key to driving the slow fashion movement.Slow Wearing Well Initiatives: Engagement through workshops, wardrobe edits, and community events can help promote a more sustainable lifestyle.Future of Slow Fashion: Angela’s vision includes innovations like an irresponsibility tax to level the playing field and reward sustainable practices.Listeners can connect with High Tea with Mrs Woo via:WebsiteFacebookInstagram @highteawithmrswooYouTubeIf you’d like a copy of Vanessa Bell’s book Self-Care Craft, please email info@vanessa-bell.com.If you'd like to read the Micro But Mighty Report you can do so here.Thank you for tuning in for our very first season of Fashion To Farmer! Be sure to subscribe and leave a lovely review to stay updated on more inspiring conversations. If you'd like to reach out to Vanessa you can so via DM @fashiontofarmer or info@vanessa-bell.com if you would like to share your story on the show. Until next season, bye for now. 🐏✨ Connect with Vanessa Bell:Website: www.vanessa-bell.comSign up to the Vanessa Bell Newsletter: Join The FlockEmail: info@vanessa-bell.comInstagram: @fashiontofarmerLinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/vjbell/X: @FashionToFarmerSubscribe: Help build our community, subscribe and leave a lovely review. ✨Credits:Host: Vanessa Bell, Eco-Entrepreneur, Sustainability Advocate & Champion of Australian Merino WoolProducer: Bogdan Bratis, Saspod Productions UKFashion To Farmer acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the Land on which we have recorded this podcast, the Kamilaroi people of the Kamilaroi Nation in New South Wales, Australia. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures. We further extend our respect to the people of the Biripi Nation on which we live and work.
    Show More Show Less
    45 mins
  • E14: Sustainable Style School: Nicole Bennett

    E14: Sustainable Style School: Nicole Bennett
    Sep 4 2024

    In today’s Fashion To Farmer episode, we’re thrilled to be joined by Nicole Bennett, the founder of Sustainable Style School, an innovative platform where she empowers individuals to blend their personal style with sustainability.


    Nicole Bennett’s journey into the world of sustainable fashion is nothing short of inspiring. With a background as an ESG Manager and a fierce advocate against greenwashing, Nicole has worked with some of the most recognised brands in the fashion industry, deeply shaping her approach to authentic sustainability.


    At Sustainable Style School, Nicole helps people discover their true style while making conscious choices aligning with their values. She challenges the fast fashion industry by promoting thoughtful, sustainable practices, emphasising the creation of wardrobes reflecting our evolving lifestyles and body shapes.


    Nicole also uses her influential social presence to shift the conversation from ethical fashion to sustainable style. She shares daily tips and hacks to guide those on their sustainable style journey, making it accessible and empowering.


    In this episode, we delve into Nicole’s insights on curating a wardrobe supporting sustainability while remaining true to who we are.


    Here’s what we cover:

    • The importance of slowing down consumption and buying with intention.
    • Holding brands accountable for their practices and making informed choices.
    • Detoxing from trends to focus on cultivating a personal style reflecting your authentic self.
    • How to experiment with existing wardrobe pieces to create fresh looks.
    • The significance of expressing self-worth and identity through style.

    Giveaway:

    Nicole has kindly gifted our audience a free seasonal guide to calibrating your style! You can access it here:

    5 Steps to recalibrate your style each season (ck.page)

    Links:

    • Sustainable Style School
    • Instagram


    Connect with Vanessa Bell:


    Website: www.vanessa-bell.com

    Sign up to the Vanessa Bell Newsletter: Join The Flock

    Email: info@vanessa-bell.com

    Instagram: @fashiontofarmer

    LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/vjbell/

    X: @FashionToFarmer

    Subscribe: Help build our community, subscribe and leave a lovely review. ✨


    Credits:


    Host: Vanessa Bell, Eco-Entrepreneur, Sustainability Advocate & Champion of Australian Merino Wool


    Producer: Bogdan Bratis, Saspod Productions UK


    Fashion To Farmer acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the Land on which we have recorded this podcast, the Kamilaroi people of the Kamilaroi Nation in New South Wales, Australia. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures. We further extend our respect to the people of the Biripi Nation on which we live and work.
    Show More Show Less
    41 mins
  • E13: Acala Stem Ethical Luxury: Leanne Savage

    E13: Acala Stem Ethical Luxury: Leanne Savage
    Aug 28 2024
    Leanne Savage, founder of Acala Stem, is a designer with over 20 years experience and a lifelong appreciation for fine textiles. Her brand, Acala Stem, pioneers a new standard of holistic luxury; sophistication without compromise, driven by core values of empathy and environmental impact.Acala Stem is a luxury product vs being a luxury brand; it’s a global leader in ethical luxury, recognised as the Global Winners of the Prestigious 'Duchess of York Special Award'. The brand is setting new standards by bridging opulence with advocacy. At the heart of Acala Stem’s offering is Pure Lotus Silk, a sustainable and luxurious fabric made from the microfibre inside a lotus flower stem, sourced directly from Lotus farms.Leanne’s journey began with a life-changing experience while volunteering as an English teacher in Cambodia, where she witnessed firsthand the challenges faced by women in the garment industry. This experience inspired her to create Acala Stem, a brand that not only produces luxurious, sustainable textiles but also empowers women in Cambodia by providing fair wages, flexible working conditions, and a path to financial independence.In this episode, Leanne shares the incredible story behind Acala Stem, from the challenges of launching to finding the right target market and conveying a message of holistic luxury. We dive deep into the significant issues facing women in the garment industry, particularly in Cambodia, and the impact these issues have on their children.Leanne also introduces us to the revolutionary Lotus Silk and discusses the clinical testing underway to prove the health benefits of this miracle fibre. Her passion for creating a positive social impact and educating consumers about the damaging effects of mass production in the fashion industry is truly inspiring.We also discuss how Acala Stem is dismantling the classism in luxury, promoting self-love and approval, and how Leanne is advocating for laws to regulate the fashion industry and protect the environment.Tune in to discover how Leanne is setting a new standard in sustainable fashion, proving that luxury and purpose can coexist beautifully.Key Takeaways:Leanne’s journey from a designer to founding Acala Stem.The story behind Lotus Silk and its luxurious, sustainable properties.The challenges of launching a brand with a strong ethical foundation.The importance of advocacy and community in driving positive change.How Acala Stem is empowering women in Cambodia and addressing issues in the garment industry.The need for regulatory laws in the fashion industry to protect the people and environment.Connect with Acala Stem:WebsiteInstagramLinkedInTikTok Connect with Vanessa Bell:Website: www.vanessa-bell.comSign up to the Vanessa Bell Newsletter: Join The FlockEmail: info@vanessa-bell.comInstagram: @fashiontofarmerLinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/vjbell/X: @FashionToFarmerSubscribe: Help build our community, subscribe and leave a lovely review. ✨Credits:Host: Vanessa Bell, Eco-Entrepreneur, Sustainability Advocate & Champion of Australian Merino WoolProducer: Bogdan Bratis, Saspod Productions UKFashion To Farmer acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the Land on which we have recorded this podcast, the Kamilaroi people of the Kamilaroi Nation in New South Wales, Australia. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures. We further extend our respect to the people of the Biripi Nation on which we live and work.
    Show More Show Less
    52 mins
No reviews yet