Podcast: Kim van der Weerd on how racism shapes sustainable fashion

In this concise yet sharp episode, host Kim van der Weerd reflects on an essay she penned evaluating racial power dynamics and systemic bias within fashion sustainability frameworks. Revisiting her personal evolution from qualifying her former title as a "Garment Factory Manager" in Cambodia to fully owning the role, van der Weerd examines how Western brand perspectives frequently marginalize Global South manufacturing expertise. For sourcing directors, supply chain auditors, and sustainability executives reading FashionUnited, this audio reflection provides vital cultural and structural context on how post-colonial dynamics distort brand-supplier relations, audit validity, and equitable decarbonization strategies across Tier-1 to Tier-4 networks.