June was a big one inside the Slow Fashion Lab.
From conversion breakthroughs to world-class mentorship, from raw conversations about supply chains to redefining leadership, we covered it all. If you’re new here or wondering what actually goes on inside the Lab each month, let me give you a behind-the-scenes peek at what happened in June.
Because while the sustainable fashion journey is beautiful, it can also be lonely, and my Slow Fashion Lab exists to change that. It’s where fashion founders come to grow, be supported, and get tangible results. And June proved that, yet again.
Let’s start at the top…
1. We solved a major conversion challenge.
One of my Lab members runs a beautiful, ethical, sustainable and conscious fashion label. She absolutely loves what she does, and she does it really well. Her designs are thoughtful, her values are clear, and her brand is so deeply purpose-driven it practically radiates.
But sales had been inconsistent and her content wasn’t converting.
She was doing all the right things, posting regularly, creating aligned content, sharing her story, but something wasn’t clicking. So, on our monthly Office Hours call (where any member can bring their biggest challenge and get my direct support), we sat down together and unpacked the whole thing.
We looked at her content, we looked at her messaging, we reviewed her brand voice, and most importantly, we looked at her customers. Within an hour, we found the disconnect. It was small, but powerful, and once we shifted her copy and tightened her storytelling, it started to flow. That’s the beauty of strategic mentoring: it doesn’t always take huge changes, just the right ones.
And that’s why my Office Hours calls exist inside the Lab too. Sometimes you just need someone to see what you can’t.
2. We built a real sustainability strategy.
June also featured one of the most powerful masterclasses we’ve hosted so far with Athena Savvas, one of our 12 resident mentors. Athena hosted a deep dive on all things ethics and sustainability, and it was pure gold.
This wasn’t just a theoretical class full of buzzwords. It wasn’t about slapping together a pretty PDF or chucking a bunch of greenwashing words on your website to sound good. It was an empowering, practical hour focused on building a sustainability strategy that actually works. A strategy that lives and breathes your values. A strategy that actually does something, for your business, for your community, and for the world.
Athena unpacked concepts like materiality, circular business models, and purpose in a way that was grounded, realistic, and surprisingly simple. No jargon. Just clarity. Because that’s what slow fashion founders need, the tools that work in practice, not just on paper.
And the feedback was incredible. So many members said it gave them a whole new lens on sustainability.
3. We talked about manufacturing in China.
Yep, we went there.
This is one of those 'taboo' topics that’s loaded with stigma and assumptions. But inside the Lab, we’re not afraid to ask the hard questions. And thanks to our resident mentor Rachael Calvert, Founder of Marvell Lane, we had a raw, honest, deeply educational conversation about what it really means to manufacture in China as a sustainable brand.
Rachael’s brand produces high-end, ethical swimwear, lingerie, and fashion, and she shared why manufacturing in China was not only necessary, but the most ethical choice for her. Locally, she couldn’t find the services or the high standards she needed. So she looked globally, with discernment and integrity.
We talked about navigating tariffs and international regulations, confronting racism and stigma in supply chain discussions, solving manufacturing gaps many Australian brands face and how to stay aligned with your values even when the solution isn’t what people expect.
It was big. It was brave. It was exactly the kind of conversation we need more of in this industry.
4. We were wow-ed by a Google god.
Then came the cherry on top of a huge month: a visit from the one and only Mel Silva.
Mel is the managing director of Google Australia and New Zealand. She’s also a mum, a partner, a purpose-driven leader of over 2000 staff, and one of the most grounded, visionary women I’ve ever had the pleasure of learning from.
Her masterclass on leadership was refreshingly honest, completely no-fluff, and full of real insight about what it takes to grow a meaningful business while living a values-aligned life.
She didn’t sugarcoat anything. She shared openly about the juggle, the pressure, the choices, and the clarity required to show up as a leader in work and in life. I went live after the call and couldn’t even find the words to explain it, it was that good.
Hearing from someone who’s leading at that level, while staying connected to her values, was deeply inspiring for everyone in the Lab, me included. These are the kinds of role models we need in business.
5. We welcomed four new brands to the Lab.
Beyond the masterclasses and mentoring and amazing experts, one of the most powerful parts of the Slow Fashion Lab is the community. We’re not just building businesses here, we’re building a movement. We're creating change.
And in June, we welcomed four new sustainable fashion founders from all corners of the globe. They showed up with their passion, their ideas, and their purpose-driven energy to build brands that make the world a better place.
Inside the Lab, everyone brings something to the table. Everyone is supported. Everyone is heard. Whether you’re just starting out or you’ve been in business for years, it’s a space where you don’t have to do it all alone and there’s power in numbers. And it’s growing every month.
Heading into July, we're gearing up for more goodness.
We’re just getting started. Coming up this month inside the Lab, I've got masterclasses with website conversion experts lined up, sessions with Shopify gurus, live trainings with PR wizards, and strategy calls with wholesale mentors.
And, of course, our monthly Office Hours where you can bring your business roadblocks and we’ll work through them together, in real time.
If you’ve been on the fence about joining, now’s the time. This isn’t a DIY course. It’s a dynamic support system. A place where real change happens.
Join the Slow Fashion Lab to access...
- Mentoring masterclasses with fashion experts.
- Fashion-specific practical workshops.
- Industry guidance from mentors who understand slow fashion.
- Group business coaching calls.
- LIVE calls and lifetime access to all replays.
- 24/7 community chat support group.
- And so much more.
And all of it is designed specifically for slow and sustainable fashion founders. There’s no pressure. No hustle. Just realness. Real strategy. Real support. Real results.
Ready to join us inside the Slow Fashion Lab? Come on in.
Claire.
