Fashion Forward: Leading the Charge Towards Sustainability

May 31, 2024

Rethinking Consumption 

How can we create a more sustainable planet? This is a question we ask ourselves everyday. Rather than adding more to our lives, the answer lies in simplicity. We should aim to maximize the use of existing resources by repairing them and finding innovative ways to repurpose materials instead of constantly buying new ones. 

A Devastating Reality

A huge contributor to waste and overconsumption is fast fashion, and the clothes that are produced and consumed in this industry. 

First, let’s define what fast fashion is. It is “a term used to describe the readily available, inexpensively made fashion of today.” Similar to “fast food”, “fast fashion” connotes unhealthiness and overconsumption. It is difficult to put a finger on where the product comes from and who has a hand in producing it. 

In her TED talk, The Simple Solution to Fast Fashion, Josephine Philips, the founder of SOJO, a fashion repair app, talks about how “fashion waste levels have reached 92 million metric tons. If you put everyone that lives in Europe on one massive weighing scale, the amount of fashion waste we produce annually would be more than every person combined in Europe.”

The fast fashion industry not only raises questions about the ethical and humane treatment of the people working in its supply chain, but it also creates enormous environmental issues that have more implications than the aviation and shipping industries combined. 

Can we move away from consumer culture?

This World Environment Day, let’s rethink our approach to sustainability. The reality we face calls for a shift in our mindset towards consumption. It is time to break away from the cycle of excessive waste and embrace sustainable alternatives.

Let’s acknowledge the potential we have to change the way we purchase and consume clothing. By purchasing from smaller, more sustainable brands, we are able to make more conscious choices that contribute to a more sustainable planet for everyone.

Eco-Friendly Options

Brands like Pantee, SOJO, Thought Clothing, and Reformation are just several brands that exemplify the power of innovation and conscious consumption in the fashion industry. Based out of the UK, Pantee is a sustainable underwear brand that transforms ‘deadstock’ materials into new garments. 

Katie and Amanda, the sister duo behind Pantee, were insistent that new t-shirts and materials should not end up in the landfill. And Pantee was born. Their underwear and more recently basic range, are anything but basic. We love everything about what they are doing and what they stand for. 

SOJO, a London-based app, is dedicated to making clothing work for each person. Whether it is through in-house alterations and repairs or connecting consumers with the closest tailors, they get the job done. Less throwing away, and more, hanging on to your favorites and wearing them time and time again. 

Thought Clothing focuses on creating stylish and eco-friendly clothing using sustainable materials like bamboo and recycled materials in their clothing. They also prioritize ethical manufacturing practices and transparency throughout their supply chain. 

Reformation, a pioneer in the sustainable fashion industry emphasizes the importance of the circular economy, such as garment recycling and upcycling programs, to minimize waste and extend the lifespan of their products. 

Our Passion for Sustainability

At Bodhi and Co., we have had the privilege of collaborating with experts in the field of sustainability. Our partnerships span across continents, working closely with institutions like MIT. Professor Randy Kirchain, Co-director and principal research scientist at the Concrete Sustainability Hub And the Carbon Trust in the UK. 

Our commitment to sustainability extends beyond borders. In the UK, we have tackled environmental challenges, such as reducing single-plastic usage, and developed a sustainable solution for chilled food packaging. But it’s often even the smaller things that soon add up. Do you really need to print branded t-shirts for a trade show that no one is going to wear? As marketeers and ambassadors, we take our role seriously when finding good sustainable solutions, especially when it comes down to merch.  

What Can You Do?

What can you do now to make a difference? The answer is simple. Purchase from smaller, sustainable brands like the ones mentioned above to make more conscious choices. 

Minimize the amount of waste we use by using apps like SOJO and repurposing old clothing and repairing items instead of replacing them, and don’t forget to recycle whenever you can! It makes a huge difference on the Earth. 

Spread awareness about the environmental impact of fast fashion and the importance of using sustainable alternatives and support small businesses that promote sustainability in the fashion industry. 

With Love

At Bodhi and Co., we love our Earth and want it to last as long as it can. That is why we are deeply committed to nurturing our planet and creating a more sustainable future for generations to come.

We believe that every action counts, no matter how small it may seem. Whether it is choosing to support sustainable brands or making conscious choices in our daily lives, each step towards sustainability matters.

Together, we can make a significant impact on our planet and create a brighter, greener future for all. 

Author Headshot

Ana Dennis

Ana is driven by a passion for content creation and marketing campaigns and excels at blending visual and written storytelling to create impactful marketing campaigns.

Hope Ball Raises $3 Million in 10 Years

May 16, 2024

In a celebration marked by elegance and generosity, the 40th Biennial Hope Ball illuminated Greenville on Friday April 26th, 2024, raising over $704,000 in a single night, marking the largest amount ever raised in the history of the Hope Ball.

Held for the first time at The 405 Venue with catering by Table 301, 522 guests and over 44 sponsors gathered to raise money for Neighborhood Cancer Connection. With cocktails from Six and Twenty Distillery and live music from Atlantic Party Fantastics, it was a spectacular event, and a great time was had by all that attended. 

Since 1984, the ball has proved the power of giving and the resilience of our Greenville community. A now tradition in the Greenville calendar, this year marked a significant milestone as The Hope Ball celebrated their 40th anniversary of this special event.

Held every two years, the Hope Ball is an elegant, black-tie dinner and dance. The glamorous event is organized by a dedicated team of 50 volunteers (all of whom are female) and provides funding for the Neighborhood Cancer Connection, for over 2 years, helping over 2,000 cancer patients and their families. 

44 Sponsors helped to make this year’s event truly special. Special mentions go out to Gastroenterology Associates, Interim Healthcare, ProSource, Prisma, and Bon Secours.

As we reflect on this milestone, we are reminded of the impact that collective action can have on our community. Bodhi and Co. are incredibly proud to have played a part in making this year’s event a huge success, along with many other sponsors and partners. 

“Events like these are vital for a local charity like ours and the cancer patients who depend on us,: says Angela Green, Chair of the Hope Ball. “Over the past 10 years, the Hope Ball has raised over 3 million dollars to help cancer patients and their families in Greenville. We can’t wait to do it all again in April 2026.”

The support the Hope Ball receives ensures the Neighborhood Cancer Connection can continue to help local cancer patients in our community. From financial aid to counseling, nutrition to equipment, the local charity takes a holistic approach to helping local cancer patients. 

The Hope Ball and the supporting events that led up to the big night were organized by a dedicated group of 50 volunteers with a variety of backgrounds and professional expertise. Dani Wilkinson founder and CMO of Bodhi and Co., worked on the PR and Marketing Team, helping to spread the message of the work done and the money raised, as well as building excitement in the run up to the event.

Author Headshot

Ana Dennis

Ana is driven by a passion for content creation and marketing campaigns and excels at blending visual and written storytelling to create impactful marketing campaigns.

5 marketing trends that will dominate 2024

January 8, 2024

Here are our predictions at Bodhi and Co. on 5 things that will dominate 2024 when it comes to all things marketing.

Rise of AI-powered marketing – The rise of AI in marketing is set to continue transforming the industry. Personalized experiences will be a big focus. Voice search optimization will continue to grow, with over 200 million users in the US alone, using voice assistants last year. 

Hyper-personalization – Following #1, with machine learning, marketing can tap into customer data and better curate and personalize content, offers, and recommendations. 

Video dominanceShort-form videos, live streaming and interactive content will continue to be a big focus. Brands should be focusing on Reels / TikToks / Shorts, live Q&As, and more to reach a bigger audience. 

Influencers will be the marketing mix – There is big talk of influencers now being the leading factor in the marketing mix. A shift from being one area of the marketing mix to activate. Strategies are starting with influencers first, and those who are ‘influential’ are building out their strategies too. Who they want to work with and what categories they want to influence for themselves.

First-party data is the new standardAs data privacy comes under continued scrutiny, businesses must prioritize consumer trust and data protection. It is a clear way to gain a competitive advantage. It’s about the long game, rather than the short-term data sales play.

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Dani Wilkinson

Dani has a passion for making brands sparkle. From Dyson vacuum cleaners to Pies, she built brands from the ground up and has a strong perspective from both high-level, to actual practicalities and how to get something done.

CLEVER COLLABORATIONS – Why brands do them and how to make them happen

November 30, 2023

Collaborations between seemingly unrelated brands might raise eyebrows, but there’s a method to the madness. Brands engage in these unexpected partnerships for a variety of reasons. 

Why do brands do them

One is the element of surprise. In a market saturated with predictable releases, collaborations inject a sense of excitement and curiosity. It’s a way for brands to break free from the mold, capturing the attention of consumers who might not have otherwise been interested.

Collaborations offer a unique opportunity for brands to tap into each other’s customer bases. McDonald’s partnering with Travis Scott brought together the worlds of fast food and hip-hop. 

Let’s take a look at a few of the ‘surprising’ brand collaborations that have hit the market. 

McDonalds x Crocs

There’s a new Crocs collaboration in town and we’re lovin’ it. The iconic shoe brand has joined forces with McDonald’s to bring four pairs of golden arches-themed Crocs into the world. And, there’s a pack of Jibbitz (the things you hang on your Crocs) that includes everything from a Big Mac to a four-piece Chicken McNuggets.

Heinz x Absolut

Heinz and Absolut joined forces to create a limited-edition product, the vodka pasta sauce. The unlikely pairing of ketchup and vodka brands may seem unconventional, but it proved to be a match made in heaven. The campaign tapped into the nostalgia factor, invoking fond memories of backyard barbecues and classic cocktail parties. It cleverly leveraged the emotional connection consumers have with both brands, creating a buzz that was hard to resist.

Supreme x Louis Vuitton

The last few years, Supreme has definitely set the stage for clever collaborations. Dropping a limited number of items and watching the resale market go bananas. 

The Louis Vuitton’s collaboration with Supreme was a landmark moment for product drops. It saw the underground skater brand that popularized the product drop trend team up with one of the oldest and most prestigious luxury brands. The crowds were so large and excited, police in LA and NYC had to shut down the event. The drop sold out almost immediately, and within a day, items were going for twice the retail price on resale markets.

Travis Scott x McDonalds

Talking about the same brand twice, can only mean one thing, they are really very good at this! The collaboration between McDonald’s and rapper Travis Scott was unexpected-brilliantly to say the least. 

This collaboration saw McDonald’s selling Scott’s favorite order as the “Travis Scott Meal”. If you’re wondering, it’s a Quarter Pounder with cheese, bacon, and lettuce, along with chips, BBQ sauce, and a Sprite with extra ice.

Now, McDonald’s has the attention of a new audience while giving Travis Scott fans a taste of the Golden Arches. Collaborations allow brands to cross-pollinate their customer demographics, fostering a sense of inclusivity and expanding their reach.

What do they unlock

The magic of collaborations lies in the unlocking of untapped potential. It’s not just about creating a product; it’s about telling a story.  These partnerships unlock new avenues for creativity. 

Collaborations unlock a treasure trove of marketing opportunities. The Louis Vuitton x Supreme collaboration, for example, transformed a product drop into a cultural phenomenon, with eager crowds and skyrocketing resale prices. Collaborations unlock not just products, but a cultural currency that can elevate brands to iconic status.

How do you make them happen

Creating successful collaborations requires a delicate dance between authenticity and innovation. It’s crucial for brands to identify shared values or thematic elements. 

Size also often plays a part. Smaller brands often struggle to do a collaboration with a bigger brand, as there is the mentality, well what’s in it for me. 

The Travis Scott x McDonald’s partnership succeeded because it felt genuine – it wasn’t just about selling a meal but embodying a lifestyle that resonated with Scott’s fan base.

Successful collaborations require a perfect blend of surprise, storytelling, and authenticity. And partnering with a similar size brand, can really help to get things going. 

Well, my Travis Scott meal is ready and I’m on my way to get some new Jibbitz. Gotta go before they sell out!

If we can help your brand with partnerships and collaborations then get in touch dani@wearebodhiandco.com

Author Headshot

Cooper Shaw

With an eye for strategic content creation and crafting marketing campaigns, Cooper is a creative marketer who loves combining visual and written aspects of storytelling.

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