Fashion isn't frivolous - it can be a powerful tool for change.
Clare Press is the host of the podcast Wardrobe Crisis and the former Sustainability Editor-at-Large for Vogue Australia, the first position of its kind globally.
A passionate advocate for responsible fashion, she speaks internationally on the fashion industry and ethics, the circular economy, and the sustainability opportunity for business.
Current Work:
Clare’s iTunes chart-topping podcast, Wardrobe Crisis, is in its third series. Each week, she interviews global thought-leaders, academics, creatives and industry insiders, from Cradle to Cradle’s William McDonough and to educator Dilys Willams and designer Roland Mouret.
Previous experience:
Media: Clare was formerly features director for Vogue and fashion editor at Marie Claire. Her popular “Sustainable Style” column appeared in The Sydney Morning Herald for two years. Clare’s byline has run everywhere from Vogue Italia and Harper’s Bazaar to The Australian, and she was The Monthly’s first fashion critic. She has also appeared in the media on The Project, The Feed, Lateline and ABC News.
Author: Clare is the author of two books about sustainability: Wardrobe Crisis, How We Went from Sunday Best to Fast Fashion (Nero, 2016) decodes the changing global fashion system and investigates its effects on people and planet. Rise & Resist, How to Change the World (Melbourne University Press, 2018) explores activism and the new social and climate justice movements.
Rise & Resist was launched in October 2018, with events at the Melbourne Sustainable Society Institute, Integrity20 at Griffith University, Queensland and the Sydney Democracy Network at the University of Sydney. The European launch was held at the Fashion For Good museum in Amsterdam.
Ambassadorships: Clare sits on the Australian advisory board of Fashion Revolution, and is a Global Ambassador for the Ellen MacArthur Foundation’s Make Fashion Circular initiative.
Awards & Recognition: In 2019 Clare was named among the AFR's 100 Women of Influence (the only person from the fashion industry to make the list) as well as Ragtrader's Power 30, made up of people shaping the fashion industry. In the same year she was also made a finalist in B+T's Women in Media awards in the Journalist category.
Speaking: Clare has appeared as a speaker at the Copenhagen Fashion Summit, ReMode (LA), Fashion Summit Hong Kong and Fashion Sustain in Berlin.
Talking Points
The Sustainability Opportunity
Sustainability has gone from being fairly niche, to unavoidable. But it’s also something exciting and innovative-filled with possibility for fashion, retail, media, indeed for all businesses with their eye on future success. Because really, the alternative is not so appealing, is it? Why would you want to be unsustainable?The Sustainability Opportunity
Change is more rapid than ever. Getting ahead and staying there means innovating, and daring. It means admitting when you’re not perfect, but being willing to have a go. Understanding the value of what you have, and identifying where you can improve.
In this presentation Clare will explain:
- What does being sustainable mean today?
- Why do customers care?
- How can you engage effectively with your customers & community on sustainability, green initiatives and ethical supply chains?
- Where to start and where to head.
The Future is Circular
Circularity is a hot topic. Embracing the circular economy can help us not just survive but thrive, in business and beyond.The Future is Circular
In this presentation Clare will explain:
- The current linear system - why “take, make, discard” is inefficient and unsustainable, and why it’s the norm.
- What’s the alternative? Who’s pioneering it, and how can you join in?
- Decoding the big ideas on:
- Designing out waste from the start
- Developing new business models that keep products in use for longer
- Increasing demand for materials that are renewable and safe, and regenerate natural systems
*The focus of this presentation is on fashion, luxury, consumer goods & plastics
Rise & Resist - Activism 101.
The political march is back as communities rally to build movements for environmental and social justice. But today’s context calls for increasingly creative strategies to make our voices heard. Rise & Resist - Activism 101.
In this presentation Clare will explain:
- How are previously siloed issues converging?
- Why sustainability is the glue that links them all?
- Why brand activism is on the rise?
- How you can unlock the change-maker within?
- Does the future lie with business-for-purpose?
- What trends and values are informing the new positive social movements?
Clare is a powerhouse of knowledge and a truly effective collaborator. At a time when consumers’ demand is moving at a lighting pace, and social issues are having profound impacts on busines ... keep reading Graeme Lewsey, CEO, Virgin Melbourne Fashion Festival
We received great feedback, particularly from our young audience members who highlighted Clare’s lightening talk and workshop/conversation as standout features of our schools program.
