E13: Acala Stem Ethical Luxury: Leanne Savage

Leanne Savage, founder of Acala Stem, is a designer with over 20 years experience and a lifelong appreciation for fine textiles. Her brand, Acala Stem, pioneers a new standard of holistic luxury; sophistication without compromise, driven by core values of empathy and environmental impact.Acala Stem is a luxury product vs being a luxury brand; it’s a global leader in ethical luxury, recognised as the Global Winners of the Prestigious 'Duchess of York Special Award'. The brand is setting new standards by bridging opulence with advocacy. At the heart of Acala Stem’s offering is Pure Lotus Silk, a sustainable and luxurious fabric made from the microfibre inside a lotus flower stem, sourced directly from Lotus farms.Leanne’s journey began with a life-changing experience while volunteering as an English teacher in Cambodia, where she witnessed firsthand the challenges faced by women in the garment industry. This experience inspired her to create Acala Stem, a brand that not only produces luxurious, sustainable textiles but also empowers women in Cambodia by providing fair wages, flexible working conditions, and a path to financial independence.In this episode, Leanne shares the incredible story behind Acala Stem, from the challenges of launching to finding the right target market and conveying a message of holistic luxury. We dive deep into the significant issues facing women in the garment industry, particularly in Cambodia, and the impact these issues have on their children.Leanne also introduces us to the revolutionary Lotus Silk and discusses the clinical testing underway to prove the health benefits of this miracle fibre. Her passion for creating a positive social impact and educating consumers about the damaging effects of mass production in the fashion industry is truly inspiring.We also discuss how Acala Stem is dismantling the classism in luxury, promoting self-love and approval, and how Leanne is advocating for laws to regulate the fashion industry and protect the environment.Tune in to discover how Leanne is setting a new standard in sustainable fashion, proving that luxury and purpose can coexist beautifully.Key Takeaways:Leanne’s journey from a designer to founding Acala Stem.The story behind Lotus Silk and its luxurious, sustainable properties.The challenges of launching a brand with a strong ethical foundation.The importance of advocacy and community in driving positive change.How Acala Stem is empowering women in Cambodia and addressing issues in the garment industry.The need for regulatory laws in the fashion industry to protect the people and environment.Connect with Acala Stem:WebsiteInstagramLinkedInTikTok Connect with Vanessa Bell:Website:  www.vanessa-bell.comSign up to the Vanessa Bell Newsletter: Join The FlockEmail:  [email protected]: @fashiontofarmerLinkedIn:  www.linkedin.com/in/vjbell/X: @FashionToFarmerSubscribe: Help build our community, subscribe and leave a lovely review. ✨Credits:Host: Vanessa Bell, Eco-Entrepreneur, Sustainability Advocate & Champion of Australian Merino WoolProducer: Bogdan Bratis, Saspod Productions UKFashion To Farmer acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the Land on which we have recorded this podcast, the Kamilaroi people of the Kamilaroi Nation in New South Wales, Australia. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures. We further extend our respect to the people of the Biripi Nation on which we live and work.