everyday social democracy

How did you become a social entrepreneur?

I freed myself from everyone else's opinions - blind optimism helped. For me, it never was different, in terms of values, it was a continuation of what I was doing before, it was natural. I did short courses to progress in social enterprise and business skills but most importantly I didn't get scared that it wasn't possible.

How does it feel to have got to where you are now?

The whole thing has been completely amazing. I'm still surprised at how well the label is doing. I am just working on the next steps now, getting new collections, getting more stockists and generally increasing brand awareness.
I do a few things with the label including various shows such as Pulse and Style in the City. I also sell on markets such as Brick Lane's UpMarket. Recently I have been focusing on campaigning for ethical fashion.

"I have launched my own campaign against 'fast fashion' which means buying loads of cheap thing to wear once and throw away."

This year I took part in Estethica, the Ethical Fashion Area of London Fashion Week. My latest love is Swishing, where you get together and swap clothes and accessories you don't use anymore with others. A great way to recycle!

Outside of my label I am currently working on production of the most exciting event in ethical fashion, The RE:Fashion Awards (www.refashionawards.org), the world's first awards to celebrate improved social and environmental standards in the fashion industry. It is amazing to be working on this and feel we are really pulling the industry together to create positive change. It really is a new phenomenon, set to transform the fashion industry within a decade."

How do you help young people/students get better involved in what you do?

The way I've chosen to help young people get better involved is subtley, which makes it hard to measure!

"My feeling is to make an impact on cynical people, it's about not making a big deal about it. It's only once they have bought jewellery that they see information on campaigns/charities inside the box. When they read it in the privacy of their own home, it makes them feel good that they've done something good."

It's more about reaching out to the cynical people - in fact, I think sometimes i think I'm cynical.
Just the fact there are always people trying to make a difference. People are always changing. There is so much out there about fair trade, carbon offsetting, and sustainability in general. The fact it's part of everyday conversation is positive.
"Make the roads safer in terms of pedestrian crossings and cyclist lanes, change attitudes for young people on gun and knife crime, make recycling compulsory."

We are not. Rights to decent education would to a start in making people born free and equal across the world.Staying up with my mum and dad watching the General Election, in what must have been 1987 or 1992. My parents explained about the two main parties. I ran upstairs I got my red and my blue scarf. I remember sitting on the blue one and holding on to the red in hope.
Katherine Hammett. She has dedicated her life's work to making a real difference in the fashion industry. Her statement t-shirts and research into a truly ethical cotton have been both powerful and inspiring. I love how she uses fashion as a political tool. She is still a leader in the field today. Yet it was 1984 when she won 'Designer of the Year' and met Thatcher wearing a t-shirt that said '58% DON'T WANT PERSHING.'
Live music from seeing bands to watching DJs. I am also training to be a yoga teacher.
It's a really hard question, there is so much needed to change in the world. My focus now is sustainability, it's about tackling the social, the environmental and the economic together. When it comes to politics, the thing that infuriates me most is wasting time over personal attacks.