Sewing, Sustainable Fashion and Reinventing Your Career with Nicole Akong

Send us Fan MailIn this episode of the Sewing Social podcast, host Gemma Daly sits down with Nicole Akong, a talented sewer, maker, and content creator, for an inspiring conversation about creativity, career change, and sustainable fashion. Nicole shares her sewing journey from growing up in Trinidad and Tobago, where she first fell in love with making at her mother’s sewing machine, to building a corporate career in London before bravely pivoting towards a more creative life.Nicole opens up about the realities of working in the fashion industry, including the challenges of balancing motherhood, entrepreneurship, and self-belief. She reflects on how appearing on The Great British Sewing Bee helped her reconnect with her passion for sewing, rebuild confidence, and find a supportive community of like-minded makers. Her story highlights the importance of embracing change, especially at a time when many people are rethinking their careers amid rapid technological shifts.The conversation also explores Nicole’s current creative projects, with a strong focus on upcycling and sustainable fashion. She shares how she moved from traditional dressmaking to charity shopping, transforming pre-loved garments that might otherwise end up in landfill. Through her work, Nicole encourages others to see new potential in their wardrobes, rethink fast fashion, and adopt more mindful consumption habits.Key Takeaways: Nicole loved fashion and clothing from an early ageShe grew up in Trinidad and Tobago, then studied in the USA before making her way to LondonShe believes that your own self belief should be "bullet proof"She's done several career pivots in her lifeBeing on the Great British Sewing Bee gave her renewed confidence in herselfShe now loves to work with charities as well as focusing on thrifting and upcyclingFollow me: Instagram: @thesewingsocialpod                     @thedalythreadTiktok: thesewingsocialpodIf you've enjoyed this episode and appreciate the work I'm doing, please Tip me on Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/thesewingsocialpodAlso, feel free to get in touch - you can text the show (available through your podcast provider on each episode) or email:[email protected] Links:Thready Set Go - https://threadysetgo.com     Discount code for 10% off your first month - SOCIALPOD10Guest details: Instagram: @nicole_akongYoutube: nicole_akongChapters00:00 Introduction and Setup00:10 Nicole's Early Sewing Journey04:59 Transitioning from Corporate to Creative10:10 Starting a Jewelry Business16:06 The Impact of the Sewing Bee20:57 Building a Community and Brand27:19 Embracing Video Content Creation30:22 Navigating Career Pivots and Family Dynamics41:27 The Unique Experience of The Sewing Bee48:24 The Journey of Upcycling and Refashioning56:56 The Joy of Rescuing Fashion57:50 Sustainable Fashion Week: A Community Effort01:00:34 Creating a Runway Collection from Discarded Materials01:03:13 Future Aspirations: Charity Partnerships and TV Dreams01:05:54 Inspiration Over Products: A New Business Philosophy01:10:47 The Power of Transformation in Fashion01:19:57 Thready Set Go