How often do you consider the social as well as the environmental cost when you’re buying clothes? These issues used to keep clothing entrepreneur James Bartle up at night, until he founded two businesses specifically to become part of the solution: Outland Denim and the Maeka Group. Outland Denim is Australia's first B Corporation certified denim brand, and James and his team have spent 10 years developing its business model, designed to support young women and men emerge from modern slavery through investment in training, life skills, economic empowerment and opportunity for career progression. With environmental and social sustainability such important concerns for the father of three, we wanted to find out more about James’s connection to nature:
What’s your favourite thing to do in nature?
I enjoy running. Living in the Gold Coast hinterland means most runs take you along mountain ridges with incredible views.
How does spending time in nature influence your mental health? Can you think of a specific experience where this effect was particularly strong?
Spending time outdoors always fills me with gratitude, especially living somewhere as beautiful as Tamborine Mountain. I can think of many times where I’ve been strongly impacted just by the landscape.
What are your fondest memories of spending time in nature?
Hiking to the top of Mt Barney, just an hour from home. The view was unforgettable. But my most special memory is proposing to my wife at the top of Burleigh Headland.
How do you bring nature into your home?
I live on 18 acres with my family, and our home is designed with large glass windows so we always feel connected to the rainforest and open grassy lawns around us. Nature is a part of our daily life.
What is your favourite natural scent, and why?
The smell of rain hitting dry earth or freshly cut grass. Both have a nostalgic effect on me.
Is there an animal or plant that you’ve always felt particularly drawn to, and can you explain why?
Horses. Their scent, their presence: everything about them reminds me of some of my fondest childhood memories.
