Camille Jaillant , creatorof Olistic the Label andparticipantin the round table discussion “The Future of Fashion for Social Impact” during the 4thUN Environment Assemblyin Nairobi, joins us for an interview. Theyoung“Alliance for Sustainable Fashion”ambassador speaks about her commitments and the actions that fashion players can undertake if they have a concrete desire to commit to sustainable development ofresponsible fashion.SM: What makes Olistic the Label stand out from other nativelysustainable fashion brands? Camille Jaillant: I launched Olistic the Label in 2018,based on my desire to create unique, high-end, meaningful collections for women. After having worked many years in the luxury and fashion industry, my travels showed me the urgency for taking action and proposing sustainable, respectful fashion. In studying natural fibers and dyes, I understood the importance of choosing biodegradable fibers that won’t end up as landfill. I follow the entire process from researching and choosing organic fibers, conceiving the product in the design studio, eco-packaging, certifications, componentsand dyes all the way to workers’ conditions. In today’s ecological crisis, fashion needs a revolution. There is no better moment to act and change the industry together. SM: How were you invited to participate in the 4th UN Assembly for the Environment and the launch of the “Alliance for Sustainable Fashion” in Nairobi? CJ: The UN contacted me a year ago just after I launched the Olistic the Label line and won the Social Impact Awardin Geneva that honors the work of women craftsmen. My brand’s objective is to have a strong social impact by emphasizing the creation of new jobs in India in organic sericulture and preserving handmade embroidery in Portugal. I was also supported by the UNECE Fashion For Forests program that promotes designers who use fabrics with a wood fiber base.
SM: What was the major challenge of this 4thUN EnvironmentAssembly? CJ: This year, the UN assembly’s ambition was to bring together major players in the sustainable fashion industry so each could share their vision for fashionfor the futurethat respects the environment. Clothing experts made interactive presentations of the best designs and sustainable materials. SM: What was the objective for your participation in the “The Future of Fashion for Social Impact” round table discussion? CJ: The objective of the Olistic The Label and Zoi Environment panel was to show that today it is possible to reconcile fashion with ethics. For example, during the discussion, I proposed natural and innovative materials like peace silk, wood fiber and fish skin. And I had the opportunity to show my wood fiber collection sponsored by the UNECE Fashion for Forests— two dresses made from pine and eucalyptus pulp,an innovation in the fashion industry. SM: After this assembly, what are the main attainable objectives that all brands could rapidly put in place? I would say there are three: 1)Communication: Brands must communicate to their producers and manufacturers their desire for them to buy organically certified materials. The use of social networks will also allow them to highlight their actions and choices in favor of the environment. 2) Production: In parallel, brands can undertake numerous actions like promoting organic agriculture by choosing organically certified materials and not using plastics or synthetic materials that are harmful to the environment. 3) A sustainable development and SDG “Sustainable Development Goal” chart: Brands can integrate charts that go beyond SDG by taking advantage of numerous opportunities to reduce their water and electricity consumption while making their teams more aware of recycling and waste management. SM: What advice would you give a designer who wants to create a nativelysustainable brand? To begin, I would say choose their own sustainable fashion: organic materials, biodegradable natural dyes, recycling, upcycling. Support a local economy by working with craftsmen and organic manufacturers while measuring their social impact. And finally, never lose sight of their personal mission and values. SM: What lessons did you learn from this experience that you wish to transmit to players in the fashion industry? CJ: In a general and personal way, the assembly helps connect enthusiasts and activists who want to propose alternative solutions to changing the polluting industry of fashion by creating opportunities for collaborations. The creation of the Alliance for Sustainable Fashion also helps us understand the opportunities involved in reaching new markets where sustainabilityand organic will become the norm.