Episode 25 Geoff van Sonsbeeck – Baukjen

Geoff van Sonsbeeck has been at the forefront of the slow, sustainable fashion movement for over 15 years. Geoff is the Co-Founder and CEO behind the direct to consumer womenswear brands BAUKJEN and ISABELLA OLIVER. Having spotted a gap in the global market for stylish and high-quality maternity clothing whilst his wife was pregnant, Geoff left his job at Shell International to set up Isabella Oliver back in 2003. In 2012 he expanded into non-maternity clothing, launching the contemporary womenswear brand “Baukjen” which is now the majority of the overall business. Baukjen focuses on environmentally, ethically and socially conscious style for a sustainable future. It is working through the process of certification as a B Corp. We talk about the how the two brands are building on their durable and timeless design ethos and evolving a range of circular practices. These include takeback schemes, resale, and rental. Baukjen is also switching to more sustainable fabrics – even moving away from organic cotton. We also discuss how consumer attitudes are changing, including the growing interest in fashion rental. I was struck by the wide range of sustainability initiatives that Geoff and the teams at Baukjen and Isabella Oliver are involved in. For a relatively small company, they are innovating in lots of areas, and, as Geoff said, building a ‘movement for change’ with their supply chain partners. Baukjen is proving that people are happier with beautiful, well-designed and high-quality garments. People want clothes that fit well, look good and are made to last. Slow, sustainable clothing instead of fast and forgettable.  Podcast host Catherine Weetman is a circular economy business advisor, workshop facilitator, speaker and writer.  Her award-winning book, includes lots of practical examples and tips on getting started.  Catherine founded Rethink Global in 2013, to help businesses use circular, sustainable approaches to build a better business (and a better world). Stay in touch for free insights and updates... Read on for a summary of the podcast and links to the people, organisations and other resources we mention. You can subscribe to the podcast series on iTunes, Google Podcasts, PlayerFM, Spotify, TuneIn, or search for "circular economy" in your favourite podcast app.  Stay in touch to get free insights and updates, direct to your inbox... Links: * Podcast Episode 11 - Izzie Eriksen of ApparelXchange * Podcast Episode 18 - Eve Kekeh of Bundlee * Blog: The ‘new normal’ – why renting clothes is better for us, our planet, and our babies * Geoff van Sonsbeeck on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/geoffvansonsbeeck/ * Baukjen https://www.