Friends of Gloverall is a project that celebrates the people we have built genuine relationships with. People whose work, values, and way of moving through the world feel closely aligned with what we care about at Gloverall. They are creatives, makers, and thoughtful voices who care about how things come to life, where they are made, and the quiet legacy they leave behind.
We close the series with Siobhan Corbin. Alongside her work in corporate sustainability, she is a familiar face from our SS26 collection.
As part of the project, we spoke to Siobhan about her relationship with clothing, responsibility, and what it means to cherish what we wear.
Your work in sustainability gives you a unique perspective — what matters most to you when it comes to clothing and the environment?
"From both studying and working in sustainability, transparency is really important to me."
"From both studying and working in sustainability, transparency is really important to me. Brands tend to use vague terms that lead consumers to believe that the brand is somehow doing 'good' by extracting raw materials, making, and then transporting garments across the globe. When, in reality, the fashion industry has a monumental impact on both the environment and societies. There is no escaping that fact.
However, it matters to me when brands are transparent about their impact, while also communicating the ways in which they are improving their manufacturing processes, auditing their factories, and promote - and even better provide services around - repairing items. That to say, just because a brand 'says' and 'does' these things, doesn't mean they are. And many brands benefit from the fact a vast majority of consumers don't have the means or time to be critical of their messaging.
Robust sustainability regulations are still emerging in national and international reporting spaces, as such I look forward to the day large multinational fashion brands are truly held to account to the irreparable damage they've done to both the planet and people alike."
Why is longevity important when it comes to personal style and wardrobe choices?
"I am a big proponent of 'buy well, buy once'."
"Finding your personal style is really hard. I worked in a number of big-name high-street stores in my late teens and early twenties, which gave me the means to try different types of clothes and a range of styles for a fraction of the price (or even for free!). I essentially was able to keep throwing things at my body until something stuck! Something seems to have stuck, but I am still evolving how I express myself through each new piece I add to my wardrobe.
I believe longevity is important now I am more 'comfortable' and 'set' in how I dress, as I am a big proponent of 'buy well, buy once'. Whether that be buying shoes that you love and can be resolved again-and-again, or buying clothing composed of hardwearing natural fabrics that lend better to being repaired. In that though, please don't think I am merely advocating for people to spend their money on high-priced items, as that would be unreasonable of me, and much of the luxury sector is awash with the same issues as the fast fashion space.
When buying something new, I tend to ask myself, 'what are 5+ ways you can wear this', 'can I wear this cross-seasonally' (I don't 'turnover' my wardrobe each season, my knitwear & outerwear just gets retired), and I don't impulse shop! I keep a slightly deranged list on my notes app of things I see and want. Then, most of the time when I review the list, things end up getting deleted as the 'rush' of wanting that thing has subsided. Anything else that sits there for a number of weeks or often months is usually something I really want, then I get such a sense of joy when that item is eventually added to my wardrobe."
Gloverall's Renewed collection is all about giving garments a second life — what excites you about the idea of renewal in fashion?
"I find renewal an exciting prospect as it makes me feel optimistic about the idea of fashion brands adopting the principles of a circular economy."
"The waste generated from the fashion industry is not just from consumers, fashion brands either hoard or dispose of enormous quantities of fabric that could have been repurposed into other garments. Therefore, I find renewal an exciting prospect as it makes me feel optimistic about the idea of fashion brands adopting the principles of a circular economy. I am looking forward to seeing where Gloverall takes this!'."
How do you feel wearing your Gloverall piece?
"I really enjoy learning about the provenance of the styles of clothing I buy. The origin of the quilted jacket being in rural Britain makes me feel connected to Gloverall's decades long history, in turn making me feel pretty good!"
What does "made to last" mean to you — in fashion, or beyond?
"Made to last" feeds into my 'buy well, buy once' comment, whether that be in clothing or furniture that lends well to repair and restoration."
"'Made to last' feeds into my 'buy well, buy once' comment, whether that be in clothing or furniture that lends well to repair and restoration. Additionally, as our tastes naturally evolve, it's great to purchase 'made to last' items as these items hold up better second-hand markets. Whether that be through making money on resale platforms or donating items to charity of a decent quality - this is a very important secondary conversation that we don't have time for now!"
Are there any daily practices or values that help keep you grounded in sustainable living?
"This keeps me grounded in the principles of living more consciously when it comes to what I consume."
"The list in my notes app I touched on earlier encompasses more than just the clothes I'd like to buy - hence why it could be considered slightly deranged. It includes make-up, skincare, homeware items, how I'd travel to holiday destinations, the lot! Pretty much anything I can purchase. This keeps me grounded in the principles of living more consciously when it comes to what I consume."
All images © Jack Fairey.