Empowering Change One Outfit at a Time with Rachel Gallagher

Sustainable fashion isn’t just a trend,  it’s a movement. 

In this inspiring episode, pageant queen and founder of About Your Clothes, Rachel Gallagher, shares how she turned a passion for education and modelling into a business that empowers people to rethink their wardrobe and their impact on the planet.

Start Small, Think Big

Changing the world doesn’t always start with grand gestures. Sometimes, it begins with your own wardrobe.

Choosing secondhand, repairing instead of replacing, learning before buying,  these are quiet acts of resistance against a fast fashion culture that profits from waste.

The truth is, small sustainable actions add up. They shift demand, spark conversations, and remind others that mindful choices matter.

So if you’ve ever wondered whether one decision can make a difference, the answer is yes,  especially when multiplied across communities.

Lead Where You Are

Leadership isn’t reserved for those with titles or massive platforms. It begins the moment you choose to act with intention.

You don’t need to be running a company or speaking on stages to lead change; you can do it in your household, friendship circle, or community group.

By sharing knowledge, living your values, and inviting others to think differently, you create a ripple effect

Every thoughtful choice becomes a form of advocacy,  and that’s the kind of leadership the world needs more of.

Purpose Over Perfection

You don’t need all the answers before you begin. What you need is a willingness to care, to learn, and to take action anyway.

The pressure to “get it right” often stops people from getting started. But movements aren’t built on perfection; they’re built on progress.

Sustainable change doesn’t happen overnight. It’s shaped by curiosity, experimentation, and the courage to keep going even when things feel unclear.

Give yourself permission to build something meaningful without having it all mapped out. Purpose is your foundation,  perfection isn’t.

Curiosity Creates Change

The most powerful shifts often begin with a question.

Where do my clothes come from? Who made them? What impact does my buying choice have?

These questions may seem small, but they’re the gateway to greater awareness and action. When we stay curious,  not judgmental,  we create space for learning, growth, and transformation.

Sustainability isn’t about shame. It’s about understanding our role in a bigger system and using that knowledge to create better outcomes,  for people, for the planet, and for future generations.

Highlights

• 00:00 – Meet Rachel Gallagher: Teacher, model, founder, advocate

• 01:00 – Combining creativity, education, and purpose in business

• 02:45 – How the modelling industry exposed fashion’s impact

• 04:00 – What sustainable fashion really means

• 05:15 – Becoming a community leader, not just a founder

• 06:30 – The ripple effect of education and conscious choices

• 07:50 – Building workshops that empower change

• 09:00 – Balancing purpose with practicality

• 10:15 – The joy of thrifting and everyday sustainability

• 11:40 – Hosting global workshops with the UN

• 13:00 – Why curiosity was the catalyst for About Your Clothes

• 14:10 – How to take your first step into sustainable fashion

Resources Mentioned in the Episode

• About Your Clothes