Naomi Austin previously designed men’s & boys’ sportswear for a number of high-profile brands such as Reebok, Umbro and Marks & Spencer's. Now, alongside being a full-time senior lecturer in fashion design & promotion at the University of Sunderland, she is working towards a PHD. Her research has been focused on the potential for high street chains to use bast fibres (hemp, linen & ramie) as they have a much lower demand for water and energy. Here she answers a few Qs put to her by the SFW Team.

As we come to the end of the Soil Association’s Organic September, our Communications Lead, Alex, explores the benefits of using organic cotton. Did you know there are over 100 million cotton farmers producing cotton in 80 countries worldwide, with cotton production covering 2.5% of the world’s arable land?

Image courtesy of Environmental Justice Foundation.