Sophie Benson is a freelance journalist covering the social and environmental impacts of fashion. She is the sustainability columnist for Dazed and has contributed to publications including Vogue, The Guardian, i-D, AnOther, The Independent, and Refinery29.
In what ways does nature inspire or inform your work?
Writing about an industry as extractive and destructive as fashion throws the power and efficiency — and beauty — of nature’s systems into focus. The more I discover about the natural partnerships and cycles which have thrived for millennia, the more I seek practicioners, innovations, materials, and systems which either mimic or harmonise with them.
What does it mean to you to be part of a thriving ecosystem?
To be part of a thriving ecosystem, you must know when to intervene and when to step back. That applies to both nature and community. Sometimes, there’s a space to step forward and grow or build something that will thrive, other times you must support what already exists to help it flourish.
