What Just Happened with Paul Foulkes-Arellano on Fashion Sustainability

Paul Foulkes Arellano, Circularity Educator at Circuthon® Consulting - Non-Exec Director - Fundraiser for Bioeconomy Pioneers, is welcomed in this discussion. The conversation begins by acknowledging Paul's strong presence on LinkedIn and his unique approach to sustainability within the retail and fashion industry. Unlike many sustainability influencers who focus on specific aspects like packaging or manufacturing, Paul takes a holistic view, addressing various sustainability facets. He shares how his perspective was shaped by Dr. Chris Sherwin's teachings, emphasizing that every decision impacts nature, drawing parallels to fashion's impact on the environment. Paul critiques the fashion industry's weak defenses for unsustainable practices and calls for a scientific, data-driven approach to sustainability, involving experts and scientific officers within companies.

Paul highlights the need for comprehensive change in the industry, urging businesses to integrate sustainability into their entire organization, from supply chain decisions to work policies. He cites financial institutions like EY and NatWest as examples of training their employees in sustainability, a practice absent in fashion. He stresses the importance of training and retraining people within the industry, signaling hope for change through new expertise. Paul's view on the future sees a transition toward more sustainable practices in the coming years, with businesses adopting transparent metrics and embracing circularity.

The conversation then shifts to Paul's role as the founder of Circuit On, a consulting firm guiding billion-dollar companies in achieving circularity. He addresses opposition from industry associations like the British Retail Consortium to measures like extended producer responsibility. Paul also shares insights about emerging initiatives in fashion, like software to track garment lifecycles. The discussion ends on the importance of reshaping fashion education to incorporate sustainability from the start, both in universities and businesses. The interview concludes with gratitude for sharing these insights and fostering awareness on sustainable practices.