Blog - Page 10 of 34 - KATRINA LOGIE

Conscious Fashion: 8 Tips to Stay Stylish and Sustainable

Think about the last article of clothing you bought. Are you committed to wearing that dress, shirt, or trousers at least 30 times? If the answer is no, then save your money and start saving the planet.

Sustainable fashion is about bringing consciousness into the way clothes are manufactured and worn. This practice is combatting “fast fashion” or stores that sell cheaply made clothes that are sold for low prices. While these shops help you stay on trend, they create an even greater trend of textile waste that takes years to decompose in a landfill and enable poor working conditions for manufacturers.

To raise awareness of this issue, we are collaborating with OneCoWork and Oceanic Global to host a sustainable fashion charity event on July 8th, starting at 12 PM that will be a zero waste event. At this show, you will be able to see top designers like Thembe Fashions, Post/O and Ernesto de Barcelona who embody sustainable and recycled fashion in their garments and accessories. Enjoy some mimosas and brunch while overlooking the scenic Port Vell at OneCoWork’s beautiful space. The fashion show benefits the organization Zero Waste Barcelona and their aim to educate and promote zero waste practices. We will be mirroring these ideals too by having no plastic at our event.

Even before the event, you can start practicing sustainable fashion habits yourself. Here are eight ways to create less waste with what you wear.

Choose more biodegradable textiles. With the technology we possess today, we are more capable than ever to create new and better materials. Instead of buying polyester, or synthetic textiles that take years to decompose in a land fill, you can opt for a synthetic garment made of recycled materials or biodegradable textiles that are durable and better for the environment.
Avoid cotton. This tip might surprise some. While cotton is a durable, breathable, and natural material, this textile has a large water footprint. The amount of water need to grow cotton is proportionally larger than other natural textiles. Many manufacturers are now produce blends of fibers like bamboo or hemp that have less of a water footprint. Try opting for these fabrics instead.
Buy fair trade. Fair trade textiles are important for being a sustainable consumer. Not only is it important to consider the environmental impact of your consuming habits but also on the people around you. Buying fair trade ensure that the people behind fashion manufacturing are being ethically treated.
Purchase well made, high quality clothing. While this tactic isn’t the most budget friendly at first, buying quality clothing means that your garments will last longer and be used more. You may have to pay more for better clothes up front, but know that proportionally it is a better value. Sure a $10 shirt is tantalizing, but you may only get to wear it ten times before it wears out or goes out of style. A versatile or classic piece of clothing that is well made being sold for $30 will last you much longer and be a better deal in the long run.
Recycle your clothes. Many retail stores offer recycling programs where you can take your worn clothing have them repurposed and reused. This alternative prevents non-biodegradable textiles from sitting in landfills for years.
Buy clothes made of fabric scraps or recycled materials. Alongside these retail stores’ recycling programs, different recycled plastics or textiles are being reimagined into new articles of clothing. What was once a plastic bottle or torn shirt is now a sweater. More retail stores are becoming more conscious of how much fabric is wasted when creating clothes. Now they are using zero waste methods to use as much of the textile is possible in other garments.
Buy from thrift stores. Consignment and thrift shops allow you to buy gently worn clothes at a cheaper price. You can give these perfectly fine garments a second life instead of having them waste away in a landfill. If you have clothes yourself that you no longer wear, consider recycling them or donating them to a charity or thrift store to reduce textile waste.
Rent or trade clothes. Today there are many companies that provide a rental service for clothing. You are able to wear a garment for an event and then ship it back to be worn by others. This is a great alternative for big occasions where you may wear a dress or outfit once. Additionally, instead of renting clothing, you can trade clothes with friends and family.

Now that you know how to get started on sustainable fashion, come see the beautiful recycled designs and accessories that will be showcased at the fashion extravaganza. Enjoy a mimosa and soak in the sun at OneCoWork’s bright and modern space. Don’t forget your sunglasses.

For more information or to buy tickets, go to our Facebook event page: https://www.facebook.com/events/1431060420372536/

Purposeful Leadership: Change Your Business and the World Around You

Actions have consequences. This seems like a common statement, but how many people contemplate this statement when carrying out their day-to-day activities or running a business?

Purposeful leadership is a new approach to management, and can be as a management tool in business or even in your daily life. The concept is simple. Just think to yourself, “how will my actions affect those I lead?”

We are holding a roundtable discussion on September 20th at Cloud Coworking start at 7 PM, where we will be talking to the leadership of different companies as they explain how they are implementing purposeful leadership with their own staff. We will hear from speakers like Mehdi J. Alaoui, Growth Strategy and Business Development at GE Renewable, Koert Grever, Education for Business Leaders with Purpose at IESE, Sorin Tomus, expert in Leadership and Change management, Arit Balcells Alexander, CEO and Co founder of LALO Experience, Carlos Piera Serra, founder and CEO for Delivering Happiness Spain, and Zsuzsa Csuvár, Director of Customer Care for Typeform.com.

There will also be two mini-workshops covering innovation and culture in the workplace. They will last 15 minutes each and compliment the thoughts and advice of our speakers on elevating your business.

So, as you’re probably wondering, what exactly is this leadership style then?

This leadership method takes conscious values of a company and instills them into each level of the organization. Instead of the leadership creating and practicing these values, they communicate and encourage them to all employees at every level. Practicing purposeful leadership places importance on the relationship between the company, its employees and its community.

This strong identity of values helps a business in many facets. Not only are the company goals clearer, but they are able to achieve these goals more effectively. Each member of the organization is able to see how they have a role in achieving these four pillars of purpose, culture, leadership, and stakeholders, and communication helps them understand the individual impact they have towards the overall goal.

Another defining feature of purposeful leadership is the compatibility of success for the business and the world around them. Instead of focusing entirely on profits and short-term goals, companies look long-term at their impact and success.

Practicing purposeful leadership means that business are sacrificing themselves in certain areas for a higher cause or purpose. The importance of ethic values in their business is more concerning than achieving success in the moment.

Although this form of leadership isn’t the most monetarily profitable, companies that practices purposeful leadership have greater advantages in other areas of their business. Lower employee turnover rates, stronger morale and a positive impact on the community around you are just some of the benefits of purposeful leadership.

To start creating the foundation of this leadership style, you have to understand your own business and your ethical goals the see how you can marry its success with those goals you have.

After laying this strong foundation, you communicate your goals with your employees to ensure that the goals of the company will help you achieve the impact you want make on the world. By inspiring your employees with your values, you create workers that are more passionate towards your goals and willing to sacrifice their time to achieving them.

Building this morale is the key to success in purposeful leadership. You reduce employee turnover and reinforce these ideals at every level of your company as your workers understand how to personify these ethic pillars. When employees understand how their position impacts the overall goal, they are given a sense of purpose and find their work more meaningful. Clear communication removes uncertainty for employees, leading to a solid identity in values.

By adopting purposeful leadership, companies can create a better and more meaningful cause for their workers while accomplishing their goals more efficiently.

If purposeful leadership is something that interests you, we encourage you to attend our leadership roundtable discussion on September 20th, 7 PM at Cloud Coworking’s new space on Aragon and Passeig St Joan. You can learn how to build your own leadership skills that will in turn benefit your business. You can find more information about the event here: https://www.facebook.com/events/433445133733441/

People On The Grid with Venus O’Hara

Today we talked to Venus O’Hara, a writer, model, actress, and blogger covering topics related to sexuality and health. Venus began covering this field after hitting her “rock bottom” and launched her fetish modeling career. She has written for numerous Spanish publications like Spanish GQ and El País, and now has a large following as a blogger and sex toy tester.

Tune in to hear the role consciousness plays in her work.

https://www.mixcloud.com/peopleonthegrid/people-on-the-grid-with-venus-ohara/

People On The Grid with Lily Wong from “Fly with Lily”

Today we talked with Lily Wong, producer and podcaster for her show “Fly with Lily”. She is a self-proclaimed nomad and has lived in over 20 countries and 60 cities in the past two years. She began creating podcasts related to her travels and now has a huge following of avid listeners.

Tune in to hear Lily’s podcast tips as well as her incredible journey of self-love and discovery.

https://www.mixcloud.com/peopleonthegrid/people-on-the-grid-lily-wong-from-fly-with-lily/

One Step At A Time

Adventure. Excitement. Danger. Charity?

The Put Foot Rally combines these aspects and more into their philanthropy. The organization calls on adrenaline-seeking teams to travel 9,000 kilometers across six African countries in 18 days. Barcelona will be sending its own team, the Hot Chili Chicas, to journey their way through the sights and sounds of Africa.

You can help send them off in style at the BRAVA Summer Evening event this Thursday, June 7th at the Skyview Bar and Lounge, Gates Hotel starting at 19:00. Tapas, dancing, drinks, live performances and guest speakers will celebrate these four women before embarking on their journey.

If you are looking for a trip with a tour guide, luxurious amenities and gourmet food, then leave the adventure for the Hot Chili Chicas.

The Put Foot Rally is Toms meets The Amazing Race. While journeying through South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Zambia, Malawi and Mozambique, participants give shoes to young African children, often their first pair of shoes ever. The teams are completely un-assisted. So if your car breaks down, you injure yourself, or you get lost, it’s your problem. This charity event is not for the weak or quitters and has a “legends only” policy.

So, now that you’re convinced and have your bags packed with your travel toothbrush and an extra pair of underwear, what else do you need?

Transportation. Teams in the past have travelled on vehicles old and new, small and large. Some have made the journey on motorcycles, while others opt for a customized, Mad Max inspired vehicles.

In each country, the four women will travel to checkpoints where they literally “put foot” by placing shoes on African kids. Afterwards, a themed party kicks off the festivities. The crews meet up at each one, celebrate, and continue to the next point from there.

While traveling through these countries, the Hot Chili Chicas will get to experience Africa authentically. With more than 2 different languages spoken in each country, participants juggle language and cultural barriers as well as wildlife hazards like potential lion maulings.

Now that you understand the tumultuous nature of the Put Foot Rally, the Hot Chili Chicas are going to need your support.

At the BRAVA Summer Evening charity event, guest speakers, music performances, drinks and tapas will help send off these “brava” women. What’s that? You want even more philanthropy? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. Your ticket also benefits AADAS, a Barcelona-based charity that supports abused women and children in Catalonia.

You can RSVP, get more information, and buy tickets here: https://www.facebook.com/events/2087636794850763/

See you there. (no Mad Max vehicle necessary. Just take the metro).

People On The Grid with Helena Torras

Today on the show we will be talking to Helena Torras. Helena is the co-founder and CEO of the women’s intimate health app B-wom. She uses her app to empower women by erasing the stigma surrounding women’s health.

Tune in to hear Helena’s journey to creating this app.

https://www.mixcloud.com/peopleonthegrid/people-on-the-grid-with-helena-torras/

People On The Grid with Waldemar Ramos

Today on the show we will be talking to Waldemar Ramos. Waldemar is a collage artist from Brazil who creates collages that are inspired by his personal interests. He also used his work as a form of political criticism by integrating political messages and into his work.

Tune in to learn about Waldemar’s work and where he finds his inspiration and messaging behind it.

https://www.mixcloud.com/peopleonthegrid/people-on-the-grid-with-waldemar-ramos/

People On The Grid with Joad Lopez

Today on the show we will be talking to Joad Lopez. Joad studied Franchise management at Georgetown University before building his own company. In 2011, he became the founder and CEO of eyescream and friends, a company that focuses on brand identity and strives to bring an interactive culinary experience to the ice cream industry.

Tune in to learn all about franchising and how to expand your business abroad!

People On The Grid with Doris Knickmeyer

Today on the show we will be talking to Doris Knickmeyer. Doris studied Law and Management at the University of Bielefeld in Germany before moving to Barcelona. Here, she works with Sustainn, a consultancy firm that applies Circular Economy to help companies develop economical, social and environmentally sustainable products and services. Doris also founded the Zero Waste Barcelona Network, a network for sharing information and experience about reducing waste and engaging in activism.

Tune in learn all about the zero waste movement and how we can all make our lives more sustainable and environmentally friendly.

People On The Grid with Nissar Ahamed

Today on the show we will be talking to Nissar Ahamed. Nissar is a growth hacker with extensive experience working as a blogger, copywriter and editor. He is the managing editor of CareerMetis.com, a career and productivity website that aims to be the primary destination for job-seekers and freelancers to find useful advice, resources and inspiration for starting & growing their professional and freelance careers.

Tune in to learn more about CareerMetis.com and tips on how to boost productivity while growing your business.