A conversation with sustainable stylist and slow fashion advocate, The Fabulous Miss K.

3 Min Read

Karen James-Welton, also known as The Fabulous Miss K is a sustainable fashion stylist with an impressive four-decade-long career. Having collaborated with icons like Vivienne Westwood and Jean Paul Gaultier, her work has featured in the pages of leading fashion magazines.

Karen has now taken on a freelance role, guiding individuals towards a more sustainable and conscious approach to their wardrobes and buying habits.

“I think that when people think about slow fashion, they think of brands that use hemp and ethical fabrics and are very expensive...”
Karen James-Welton

Karen's affinity for sustainable fashion was sparked during her early years when she sought budget-friendly alternatives to the latest trends, she tells us “I wanted to buy all of the clothes in Vogue, but I couldn’t afford them”, so she would venture into vintage and second-hand shops to find beautiful and unique pieces. Reflecting on her own journey, one of Karen’s missions is to dispel the notion that sustainable fashion means that clothes need to be expensive or made from ethical fabrics. Rather, that you should find the value in well made, long-lasting clothing that transcends fleeting trends and frivolous consumption.

“There seems to be a big trend for not wearing anything twice”.
Karen James-Welton

“You see all these influencers buying something new, there seems to be a big trend for not wearing anything twice but at the end of the day it just ends up in landfill because the quality isn’t there for you to be able to re-wear it”; In an era inundated with fast-paced social media trends including influencer hauls, Karen is concerned about the detrimental impacts of overconsumption and the disposability of poorly crafted garments.

For Karen, the mantra of “buy less, choose well” epitomises the ethos of quality over quantity, echoing the sentiments of the late Vivienne Westwood. Encouraging responsible purchasing habits, Karen advocates for a deliberate approach to curating a sustainable wardrobe where each garment tells a story and withstands the test of time.

Despite having been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) two years ago, Karen continues to add to her list of accomplishments within the industry. Karen’s proudest moment was spearheading Slow Fashion Week in Norwich, a testament to her commitment to integrate fashion with sustainability.

As the legacy of Vivienne Westwood resounds, Karen echoes a resounding call to action; to reconsider our shopping habits and cultivate a deeper appreciation for quality and the stories woven into each garment we choose to embrace. Join Fabulous Miss K on her mission to revolutionise the fashion landscape, one sustainable choice at a time!

Discover more about Karen James-Welton and her services here:
The Fabulous Miss K - Vintage Fashion Stylist