This month, we’re sitting down with the inspiring founder behind Our Journy — a UK-based slow fashion brand creating timeless, versatile pieces designed to be worn and loved on repeat. After 15 years designing for major fashion houses across New York, London and Hong Kong, Hester stepped away to build something more meaningful: clothing that celebrates every woman’s journey, from motherhood and beyond. Now five years in, her passion for sustainability, thoughtful design and confidence-boosting style continues to shape a brand that proves slow fashion can be both beautiful and enduring.
In this interview, she shares her wisdom on building a sustainable wardrobe — and how to make conscious fashion choices that truly last.
Hi Hester! I love your brand, not just for the timeless designs but also for your commitment to sustainability. Can you explain to us what dressing sustainably means to you?
To me, dressing sustainably is about more than just the fabrics and the manufacturing process—it’s about a mindset. At Our Journy, we encourage people to buy less but better, to invest in pieces they’ll wear and love for years to come and therefore to create a capsule wardrobe that makes dressing easy. Dressing sustainably means choosing clothing that fits your lifestyle, is versatile enough to be styled in multiple ways, and is made ethically with respect for both people and the planet.
It’s also about rethinking how we value clothes: repairing, re-wearing, and taking care of what we own. Sustainability in fashion is far from perfect—it’s about making conscious, better choices one step at a time and educating the consumer on this.
I couldn't agree more! As women, our bodies change all the time, especially throughout the stages of motherhood, perimenopause and beyond. What advice do you have for women who want to dress sustainably through all stages of motherhood?
One of the reasons I created Our Journy was to design clothing that adapts to life’s many changes. Our pieces are intentionally versatile, with relaxed silhouettes, breathable fabrics, and adjustable fits that support women through pregnancy, postpartum, and beyond.
My advice is to look for clothing that works with your body, not against it. Choose timeless, flexible designs—like loose silhouettes that drape beautifully, elasticated waistbands, and styles with function (pockets, breastfeeding access, room for bloated tummies and pregnancy bumps)—clothing that can move with you as your body changes. By investing in high-quality staples, you avoid the cycle of constantly buying and discarding clothes for each stage of life. Sustainable fashion is about creating a wardrobe that supports you long-term, through all seasons of womanhood.
Are there any fabrics you would recommend looking for or avoiding in a sustainable wardrobe?
Yes—fabric choice is an important aspect of sustainable dressing. I recommend choosing natural, biodegradable fabrics such as organic cotton, linen, hemp, and TENCEL™. These fibres are not only breathable and durable, but they also have a lower environmental impact compared to synthetic fabrics. Linen for example is also a great year round fabric as it keeps the wearer cool and dry in the Summer and can help keep you warm in the Winter by trapping warm air next to the skin. You can read more here about why we use 100% linen.
On the other hand, I’d suggest avoiding virgin polyester and nylon where possible, as these are derived from fossil fuels and shed microplastics when washed. If you do buy synthetics, opt for second hand garments or deadstock fabrics that already exist and wash them in a microplastic filter bag to reduce shedding. At Our Journy, we carefully select our fabrics with sustainability in mind, prioritising natural and certified eco-friendly options from deadstock where possible.
What tips do you have for building a sustainable capsule wardrobe?
When building a sustainable capsule wardrobe, focus on quality over quantity. Start with versatile staples like a classic organic cotton t-shirt, a well-cut sustainable dress, and a lightweight layer you can wear year-round like our Stella jackets. From there, you can add a few statement pieces to mix things up like our Ada jumpsuit, but the key is choosing items you’ll reach for time and again.
Capsule wardrobes reduce decision fatigue, save money in the long run, and are a more mindful way of consuming fashion. At Our Journy, every piece is designed with this philosophy in mind—timeless, functional, and made to last.
Do you have any signature pieces that best represent the ethos of Our Journy?
Absolutely—one of our signature and best selling designs is the Ada jumpsuit, made from 100% pre-washed linen. It can be worn as an everyday staple as it goes with everything and works for all occasions and all seasons, yet is stylish and statement enough that it makes you feel great and put together. And unlike fast fashion alternatives, it’s designed to last and feels incredible against the skin.
We also love our Lucy dresses for their versatility. They can be styled casually for daytime or elevated for evenings out, and their relaxed fit makes them adaptable through different stages of life. These pieces really capture what Our Journy stands for: comfort, timelessness, and sustainability. But to be honest we make sure that everything we develop and launch fits in to our ethos and has a purpose.
At Our Journy, we’re proud to be part of a growing movement that celebrates slow fashion and mindful living. This year, to celebrate our 5th anniversary, we’ve collaborated with artist Anna Mills to create a limited-edition illustration t-shirt, available for pre-order through our website. It’s a piece that embodies everything we stand for: creativity, woman-hood, community, and conscious design.
