Eco Fashion Weekend in Singapore with Anisa Johnny
Anisa Johnny - A lover of fashion who had to hustle her way into the industry (conservative parents' expectation was Oxbridge, which still doesn't have a fashion course). I've done every role in fashion to learn about the industry as a volunteer, intern, and even a free work shadow. From training in an M&S Buying Department to running my own ready-to-wear brand, and supplying Topshop, it's no wonder I'm a Senior Lecturer in Fashion Marketing & Management turned advisor to ethical brands.
→ How did you get interested in Sustainable Fashion?
I was supplying Topshop and had my own brand, which was doing well. It was African-inspired, made from bright cotton prints. A friend dragged me to an Ethical Fashion Forum meeting, and my blood ran cold when a speaker mentioned an alarming statistic: over 100,000 farmers die every year from chemicals in cotton, mostly in India and Africa. This triggered research into the industry.
→ Tell us about yourself?
I'm British-born and of West African heritage. My parents are originally from Sierra Leone. I'm not your typical Brit, moving between the two countries and then Asia in my teens. Growing up, every history project was on fashion. I was desperate to be a fashion designer, knowing nothing about the industry. I think that has really given me a wider perspective on fashion and culture, having been privildeged to live in Africa, Asia and Europe.
I started Eco Fashion Weekend with many other small ethical brands, advocates, and volunteers. I heard a podcast about designers in Africa who started their own Fashion Week. When I pitched the idea to some designers, everyone was excited. Knowing they were busy trying to make ends meet as an educator, I had more bandwidth to spearhead. That inspired the creation of Eco Fashion Weekend - a three-day event featuring meaningful conversations, hands-on workshops, and a curated showcase, all dedicated to the principles of sustainability and conscious fashion.
Thank you so much to Anisa and her team for including Indilisi in this year's Eco Fashion Weekend! 💚 🌱
Photographer @RebeccaBergerPhotography for Eco Fashion Weekend 2026 I Location @CosentinoCitySingapore