The Real Cost of Sustainable Fashion
About this episode
Most people agree that shopping sustainably is important.
The question is:
Do they care enough to change how they shop?
In this episode, Adam sits down with Delphine McNeill and Beth Pollak, founders of Livotte, for an honest conversation about what happens when sustainability collides with commercial reality.
From customer expectations and pricing pressures to manufacturing decisions and founder resilience, this isn't a discussion about what sustainability should be.
It's about what it looks like when you're trying to build a real business around it.
Delphine and Beth share the moments that made them question the fashion industry, the challenges of creating products responsibly, and why building a purpose-led brand can sometimes feel like swimming against the tide.
Along the way, the conversation explores whether consumers genuinely reward sustainable choices, how founders navigate difficult trade-offs, and what it takes to stay committed to a mission when the easier path is often the more profitable one.
This episode explores:
- Why sustainability remains one of fashion's biggest challenges
- The tension between values and commercial reality
- Consumer behaviour versus consumer intentions
- The realities of responsible sourcing and production
- Building a business around long-term thinking
- Founder resilience in difficult markets
- Why purpose alone isn't enough to build a successful brand
About the Guests
Delphine McNeill and Beth Pollak are the co-founders of Livotte, a fashion brand built around quality, longevity and more responsible production practices.
Through Livotte, they are challenging many of the assumptions that have shaped modern fashion consumption while building a business designed to stand the test of time.
🔗 Livotte → https://www.livotte.com
About the Host
Adam Pearce is Co-Founder of Blend Commerce and eCom Collab Club®, where he hosts conversations with founders, operators and industry leaders tackling the biggest opportunities and challenges in eCommerce.
🔗 Blend Commerce → https://blendcommerce.com
🔗 eCom Collab Club® → https://ecomcollabclub.com
The fashion industry isn't short of opinions on sustainability.
This conversation is about the reality.