Work in Progress with Lydia Brearley
Discussing work, change and hope this week is Lydia Brearley, sustainable fashion consultant, founder of ENKEL Consulting and Sustainable Fashion School, and a widely recognised LinkedIn Top Voice in sustainable fashion. With over 25 years of industry experience as a former fashion buyer, Lydia now works with brands across the UK and Europe to implement circular strategies and align with emerging legislation to drive meaningful change.
What are you working on right now?
In 2026 my focus will be on the Sustainable Fashion School, which is something I’ve been working on for a couple of years and I’m really proud of, but now’s the time to give it the focus it needs to help fashion professions ‘navigate the noise’ of the industry in a way which is accessible and digestible and supports ongoing learning as the industry changes.
There’s so much going on in the wider context of the world, it’s easy to get overwhelmed and just carry on doing what you’ve always done, so what I’m building isn’t just an online course platform, it’s a community of changemakers who can support each other as we navigate the wider challenges the world is facing.
I also plan to do more LIVE events this year as I get so much energy from being around people, and that’s something I really miss since I’ve been working independently the past few years and moved to Sweden.
If you could change one thing about the world of work right now, what would it be?
Everything feels quite ‘heavy’ to be honest.
The wider problems of the world, navigating the challenges of work, anxiety around job security, staying up to date with the latest AI developments...and being ‘switched on’ all the time - it’s all quite intense. There’s also just so much information now, it’s hard to know what to trust, and impossible to keep up. I think a lot of us are suffering from information overload, and I think people are looking for more support, guidance and connection, so that’s something I really want to try and build into my work this year. I am also trying to be more disciplined and set boundaries for myself and also time away from tech to recharge.
It’s so important and I feel so much better for a bit of a digital detox - but easier said than done!
What’s giving you hope right now?
In terms of the industry sector I work in - I think we’ve had a few years with so much talk about all the challenges and problems the industry is facing, but actually we’re starting to see some real commitment and collaboration from brands beyond just pilots and initiatives, which is really encouraging - as that’s the only way we’re going to see real long term change.
From a personal point of view, what’s giving me hope is the thought of Spring! It’s been a long dark winter here in Sweden and definitely ready for some warmer weather!
Work in progress is a celebration of the effort and mindset required to make real change exist.
The most important jobs are never done and great work happens somewhere in the messy middle, where its all too easy to give up. But optimism is a pragmatic choice we make daily, so if you’re navigating change and want a thinking partner along the way, explore how we work.