S03 Episode 105 | THE CORDES FOUNDATION + SUPPLY CHAIN STORIES

In episode 105, Kestrel welcomes Steph Cordes, the Vice Chair of the Cordes Foundation, to the show. Having worked with Conde Nast and luxury fashion brands in the past, Steph now works to advance the Cordes Foundation's ethical fashion and sustainable supply chain initiatives. 

"I think my biggest takeaway was that minimum wage isn't a living wage, because they [garment workers she met in Sri Lanka] technically are paid minimum wage but that's not a living wage. They aren't able to have enough money to invest that in their families or their children." 
-Steph Cordes, Vice Chair of The Cordes Foundation

In this episode, Steph shares more on how the Cordes Foundation believes that elevating the role of women is essential to building stronger economies and improving the quality of life for women, men, families and communities.

She also shares some exceptionally powerful stories from the trips she has taken to meet with, and connect with women working in the garment industry around the world. For Steph, she sees a massive disconnect between designers and the actual people making their clothes in the supply chain.

The below thoughts, ideas + organizations were brought up in this chat:

The Opportunity Collaboration, a collaborative summit put on my the Cordes Foundation Elizabeth Cline's book Overdressed, listen to our podcast with her here > Soko, a company Cordes Foundation invests in / listen to our episode with them here > Pencils of Promise x Soko Collaboration Indego Africa, a nonprofit that the Cordes Foundation supports Remake, Steph sits on their advisory board / listen to our episode with them here > Fashion For Good, a project the Cordes Foundation supports Rent The Runway, one of Steph's favorite ways to "shop sustainably"

Recommended Read From The Intro:
Heart Talk by Cleo Wade