Running a slow fashion brand isn’t just about creating beautiful, conscious clothes. It’s about doing it in a way that sustains you, your lifestyle, your needs, your values. But somewhere between the third coffee for the day and the eleventh thing on the to-do list, things can get heavy, and if we don't stop to ask ourselves some big questions, the constant doing and the daily hustle can lead to burnout.
In today's Slow Fashion Lab mentor session, I sat down with Karishma Kasabia, the creative force behind Khòlò, a label known for its bold prints, curve-inclusive sizing, and deeply authentic storytelling. Karishma opened up about the personal journey behind her brand: the pivoting, the inner work, the burnout, and the breakthrough.
She didn’t just share business advice—she offered something so much more powerful: the emotional and energetic truths behind running a sustainable fashion label in a way that doesn’t leave you depleted.
From shifting her entire business model to healing deep-seated patterns, Karishma’s story is a powerful reminder for her fellow slow fashion founders to choose joy, build boundaries, and redefine success on their terms.
If you want lifetime access to the replay, you can join the Slow Fashion Lab here, and soak up Karishma's honest, heartfelt session again and again to make the most of the key takeaways...
1. Balance and joy aren't luxuries—they're your foundation for growth.
In the early days, Karishma was hustling nonstop—working through holidays, burning out, and losing the spark that started her business in the first place. Eventually, she realised her business was asking too much of her, and something had to change.
So she rewrote the rules. She shifted to occasional, joy-led product drops. She took breaks. She let go of the pressure to constantly be 'on.'
You didn’t start your business to feel trapped by it. Your energy matters. Taking weekends off isn’t lazy—it’s leadership. And when you centre joy in your decision-making, you create space for creativity, clarity, and sustainable growth.
2. The real work starts within and your mindset drives your business.
Karishma got real about the invisible forces that shaped her business—like the pressure to prove herself or seek approval. She shared how inner healing tools like meditation, journaling, and subconscious work helped her break free from patterns that were driving her to burnout.
If your business feels stuck, it might not be your strategy—it might be your mindset. Check in with yourself. Reflect on what’s really driving your decisions. That’s where the biggest growth happens.
3. Be your brand—authenticity builds connection and sales.
At first, Karishma stayed behind the camera. But when she started showing up, speaking directly to her audience, and wearing her own designs on reels, everything changed. Her audience became more engaged, her sales increased, and her brand felt more alive.
People like real, they like raw. It’s not about being an influencer. It’s about being human. When people see the face, values, and story behind your brand, they trust you. And trust drives connection—and conversions.
But these three key takeaways were what resonated with me, and inside the Slow Fashion Lab, you'll find so much more that resonates with you. Because there is no right way, only what feels right.
Karishma’s session was more than a mentor moment—it was a reminder that you’re allowed to do things differently and that sustainability is just as much about your energy and emotions as it is about your supply chain. Building a slow fashion brand isn’t about pushing harder, it’s about leaning into what feels right.
If you’re running a purpose-driven fashion business and feeling overwhelmed, burnt out, or unsure where to go next—you're not alone. And you don’t have to figure it all out by yourself.
You'll find all the support, strategies and steps to move forward inside the Slow Fashion Lab—a strategic and soulful business program for ethical, sustainable, circular and slow fashion founders like you. It's where creativity meets clarity, and passion meets purpose. It's about growing without the grind, building aligned systems, and creating a brand that feels good to run.
This is your sign. Stop struggling and start growing—with the tools, strategies and support you actually need. Get everything you need right here.
Claire x
