“Fashion with a Conscience: Ella Barker on Style, Sustainability, and Storytelling”
Interview with Ella Barker, Fashion Designer, Ella Barker
1. Human Introduction & Context
Q: Who are you and what brought you here to LinkedEvents?
Ella: I am Ella Barker, an independent fashion designer and a supporter of traditions and sustainability in the fashion industry.
Q: What is the mission or philosophy behind your work or organization?
Ella: The mission behind my brand is to create garments that are interchangeable and modular — pieces that can be mixed and matched, worn multiple times, with minimal waste, using certified fabrics that produce less pollution.
Q: If you had to explain what you do in one simple sentence to someone who’s never heard of you, how would you say it?
Ella: I make bespoke garments of good quality that are unique, last longer, and cause less pollution.
2. LinkedEvents Knowledge – Educational Part
Q: What are the biggest myths or misconceptions about your field?
Ella: That we can buy cheap clothes and then throw them away without any consequences.
Q: How would you explain what you do to a 10-year-old?
Ella: It’s better to buy clothes made from natural fibers. They’re healthier for your body and can be recycled.
Q: What should people know about the process that takes you from idea to final result?
Ella: Garments can be created to complement and enhance your figure, so that you not only look beautiful but feel beautiful too.
3. Value & Insights
Q: What are the current trends in your field that people should be paying attention to?
Ella: The current trend is to buy and then throw away. This is not sustainable, and it’s something we need to rethink.
Q: Can you share three practical lessons or tips that the audience can apply immediately?
Ella:
Don’t throw things away — repair them when something breaks.
Reuse fabrics to create new garments; even a wedding dress can be transformed.
Recycle and transform clothes that you think are no longer in fashion.
Q: Do you have a story or an “aha moment” in your career that changed the way you work?
Ella: When I visited Kenya, I was appalled to see expensive big-name fashion garments hanging on fences and hedges. They had been sent there to be destroyed but ended up dumped in enormous quantities. It made me determined to encourage people to understand how we can use and re-use our clothes and still be in fashion without harming our planet.
4. Personal & Inspirational Perspective
Q: Who or what inspires you the most in your work?
Ella: People who share my approach — caring for the environment and being thoughtful about where they purchase raw materials and fabrics.
Q: What has been your biggest challenge, and how did you overcome it?
Ella: It’s very difficult to find people willing to work hard and learn that fashion is a demanding and time-consuming field. I’ve overcome it by building a network of committed collaborators who share the same values.
Q: If you could give one piece of advice to someone aspiring to enter your field, what would it be?
Ella: If you are prepared to work very hard, you can make a difference!
5. The LinkedEvents Touch
Q: How do you see the role of collaboration and community in what you do?
Ella: It’s wonderful to see people from very different backgrounds creating joy through sharing their work and talents together.
Q: What did you discover here at LinkedEvents that pleasantly surprised you?
Ella: It was wonderful to see so many people gathering and socializing. This kind of interaction is very important for our health and mental well-being.
Q: If you could leave the audience with one message after this conversation, what would it be?
Ella: Don’t throw away your clothes if you can repair, refurbish, or redesign them! At the very worst, take them to a charity shop so that someone else can enjoy them.
