Episode Details

🎙️ The Polyester Problem: How Fast Fashion Pollutes Our Planet and Our Bodies with Jennifer Countess von Walderdorff

Join Diane Gilman and sustainable fashion strategist Jennifer Countess von Walderdorff as they reveal how polyester and fast fashion are silently harming our health, our wallets, and the planet. From the microplastics in your washing machine to the hidden costs of cheap clothing, this episode is packed with practical advice for building a wardrobe that’s stylish, sustainable, and safe for every generation.

In This Episode:

1. Microplastics & Your Health: Learn how every wash releases hundreds of thousands of microplastic fibers into our water, affecting marine life and potentially human health—including new research linking microplastics to dementia.
2. The Polyester Dilemma: Discover why synthetic fabrics became so popular, the hidden dangers of spandex and polyester, and how they impact sensitive skin, especially for children and older adults.
3. Wardrobe Wisdom: Jennifer shares her journey from fast fashion to conscious shopping, inspired by her Nigerian-British heritage and her father’s lessons on quality over quantity.
4. Cost Per Wear & Fast Fashion: Understand the true cost of cheap clothes, why fast fashion is making us broke, and how to invest in pieces that last.
5. Sustainable Solutions: Get actionable tips on restyling your closet, choosing natural fibers, and responsibly recycling or donating old clothes.
6. Fashion’s Future: Hear about global manufacturing shifts, tariffs, and why vintage and resale markets are booming.

Special Offers & Resources Mentioned:

✨ Sleep & Glow Pillow – Say goodbye to sleep wrinkles! Use promo code DIANE15 for $15 off pillows and blankets and 10% off all other products at sleepandglow.com.

✨ Visit www.lookatthelabels.com to explore Jennifer’s book "Look @ the Labels", a conscious shopping guide, and discover the upcoming Look at the Labels – The Styling App (launching May 2025 for Apple and Android).

Connect with Diane Gilman:

1. YouTube: @thedianegilman
2. Facebook: TheDianeGilman
3. Instagram: @thedianegilman
4. TikTok: @thedianegilman
5. Website & Mailing List: TheDianeGilman.com

Connect with Jennifer Countess von Walderdorff:

1. Instagram: @jennifer_walderdorff | @lookatthelabels
2. TikTok: Look at the Labels
3. LinkedIn: Jennifer von Walderdorff
4. Facebook: Look at the Labels
5. Website: www.lookatthelabels.com
6. Mobile App: Coming soon on Apple and Android (links available at launch)

About Jennifer:

Jennifer Gräfin von Walderdorff, a British-Nigerian fashion strategist, has built a distinguished career in merchandise planning, analytics, and finance. She is the author of Look @ the Labels, a conscious shopping guide, and the Founder/CEO of Look at the Labels, a consultancy dedicated to sustainable style. Her work has earned recognition, including the 2025 F:Entrepreneur #ialso100 Award and the 2024 Rising Star Award