The idea for this book sparked at the Women’s Marches but I wrote the first lines (with a little help from Laura Wells and a bottle of champagne) several months later on Heron Island. It was here, thanks to Clare Ainsworth Herschell, that I found my eco tribe and learned, from Tim Flannery and Sophie Dove, how climate change is impacting our oceans. I take ongoing inspiration from everyone in our group, especially Clare, Laura, Anna Rose, Julia Wheeler, Heidi Leffner, Jess Miller, Jess Scully, Jodi Pettersen, Tory Loudon and Jo and Joshua Yeldham.
The wonderful Emma Rusher at Melbourne University Press immediately understood what I had set out to achieve, and backed this book from the get-go. Her unfailing enthusiasm helped me beyond measure. Emma, you are the bee’s knees. (Also, world, can we please save the bees?)
I am grateful to the team at MUP, and in particular to Sally Heath for her carefully considered and kindly delivered editorial guidance.
Thank you, my beloved husband for never complaining about a wife who spends weeks on end locked in her office, emerging only to ask what’s for dinner, then scuttling back to eat and type alone. To all my friends who lent their ears and offered encouragement.
I am endlessly inspired by the ethical and sustainable fashion community, and to the Wardrobe Crisis podcast listeners for your stories, comments and support.
Last but by no means least, thank you to the change-makers who agreed to be interviewed or have your brains tapped for this book, some of you at very short notice over the Christmas holidays. Heartfelt thanks to: Lucy Aitken Read, Elena Antoniou, Andrew Barker, Kristian Barron, May Boeve, Orsola de Castro, Amanda Chapman, Sarah Corbett, Katherine Davis, Marina DeBris, Sarah Ditty, Joe Duggan, Betsy Greer, Kate Hall, Natalie Isaacs, Casey Jenkins, Kirsten Lee, Daisy Little, Sayraphim Lothian, Amanda McKenzie, Breanna Macpherson-Rice, Ellen McMahon, Elizabeth Morley, Tara Moss, Blair Palese, Kim Pearce, Rebecca Prince-Ruiz, Erin Rhoads, Timo Rissanen, Anna Rose, Cameron Russell, Harriet Spark, Tim Silverwood, Krista Suh, Carry Somers, Anne Summers, Amanda Tattersall, Valentina Zarew and Jayna Zweiman. This book is for you.