S3, Ep12: The Future of Fashion is Vegan with Joshua Katcher
Jan 6, 2021
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Joshua Katcher, a visionary vegan activist and founder of The Brave Gentleman, joins the conversation. He discusses his unique journey into fashion without a traditional background, emphasizing the importance of ethics in style. Discover how veganism is reshaping the future of fashion, challenging elitism, and promoting sustainability. Katcher also shares insights on consumerism, innovative materials, and the impact of fashion on our values. His creative quickfire answers add an entertaining touch to this enriching dialogue.
Joshua Katcher emphasizes the significance of ethical fashion, arguing it should align with vegan values and minimize animal suffering.
His journey illustrates the challenge of embracing veganism in a traditional food-centric culture, fostering awareness of food systems and animal treatment.
The podcast highlights the need for accessibility in sustainable fashion, encouraging consumers to support ethical practices despite initial higher costs.
Deep dives
Vivo Life's Plant-Based Pledge
The Plant-Based Pledge introduced by Vivo Life aims to facilitate the transition to a plant-based diet in an enjoyable way. By signing up, participants gain access to a collection of resources, including videos, tutorials, recipes, shopping lists, and meal plans. This initiative is particularly beneficial for those starting their vegan journey, as it provides the necessary support and guidance to make the switch easier. Additionally, long-time vegans can find value in the pledge as it encourages a more balanced and health-conscious approach to plant-based living.
Joshua Catcher's Impact on Vegan Fashion
Joshua Catcher, a prominent figure in vegan fashion, combines activism, education, and entrepreneurship in his work. He established Brave Gentlemen, the first vegan menswear brand, and has authored 'Fashion Animals,' addressing animal exploitation in the fashion industry. Catcher's efforts extend beyond clothing; he also founded Rind, a plant-based cheese company, and Circumfauna, a platform focusing on sustainable fashion practices. His multifaceted approach makes him a significant influence in promoting ethical fashion choices.
Ethics and the Meaning of Fashion
Catcher highlights the ethical implications of fashion, asserting that the creation of beautiful clothing shouldn't come at the cost of animal suffering or environmental harm. He challenges the perception that fashion is frivolous, emphasizing its role in shaping identity and social justice. Fashion can be a means to communicate values and beliefs, thus carrying a deeper significance than mere aesthetics. By advocating for sustainable and ethical practices, Catcher aims to redefine the fashion industry and its relationship with consumers.
Navigating Challenges in Veganism and Fashion
Catcher recounts his personal journey to veganism, which began due to concerns regarding environmental destruction from cattle grazing. Transitioning in a culturally rich and food-centric Jewish household posed challenges, yet it ultimately fostered greater awareness around food systems and the treatment of animals. He acknowledges the masculinity associated with meat consumption and how societal norms can create barriers for those pursuing plant-based diets. This personal experience fueled his desire to revolutionize the fashion industry while promoting ethical and sustainable practices.
Future of Fashion and Accessibility
The dialogue emphasizes the importance of accessibility in the vegan and ethical fashion industries, particularly concerning socioeconomic factors. Catcher believes that innovation in sustainable materials can eventually lead to lower prices, but acknowledges that initial costs may be steep. Encouraging consumers to invest in ethically made products, even if it means purchasing less frequently, can shift market demand towards more sustainable practices. Ultimately, the conversation reflects a growing recognition of the need for change in conventional fashion systems and the role of consumers in driving this change.
This season of The ChickPeeps is brought to you by our friends at Vivo Life! Use our code 'chickpeeps10' to get 10% off your order at vivolife.com.
In this episode Evy and special guest host Elliot Knight interview fashion entrepreneur, author, cheesemaker, educator and all-round renaissance man Joshua Katcher. A multi-hyphenate creative and long-time vegan activist, Joshua combines his keen eye for design with his vegan values, founding fashion brand The Brave Gentleman, teaching at universities around the world and authoring Fashion Animals, his breathtaking book about the history of animals used in fashion. During this chat he shares his wisdom and passion for ethically produced fashion and delves into the innovations happening to make the future of fashion inevitably vegan.
While you’re listening, please take a moment to check out the link to our sponsor. Not only are Vivo Life a great, vegan company, but their support also allows us to continue to produce The ChickPeeps for you! We love them and their products and we think you will too.
Also in this episode…
Joshua gives some truly creative answers in his quickfire questions round!
Joshua talks about his journey and explains how he started a fashion brand with no background in the industry.
We discuss whether the elitism inherent in the fashion world is at odds with the values of veganism, and Joshua shares why fashion is a serious, significant matter with a wide-reaching impact.
The nature of consumerism and why vegan brands have been relatively ineffective (compared with efforts in the food industry) at replacing traditional, animal-based products.
Joshua describes his love-hate relationship with the fashion industry and where he thinks it is headed in the future.
Joshua tells Evy and Elliot about the next generation of designers and materials that are vegan and primed to take the fashion world by storm. #mushroomleather
Joshua calls out the current ‘power brokers’ of the fashion industry and shares his vision for how fashion can empower us, protect ecosystems, sequester carbon and provide communities with a means of being self-sufficient.
Elliot is launching a podcast!
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