The Truth About Ethical Fashion the Industry Doesn’t Want You to Know
- Arianna Quiroz
- Jul 17
- 3 min read
On this episode of More Precious Than Rubies, I had the privilege to sit down with Emmy McDowell: wife, seminary student, ministry worker, and passionate advocate for ethical fashion. Our conversation dove deep into Emmy’s expanding faith journey, the call to ministry for women, and what it means to extend our values into everyday decisions, right down to the clothes we wear.
A Lifelong Journey: Faith, Calling, and the Role of Women in the Church
“The thing about a testimony is it’s ongoing”
Emmy’s story began with a childlike faith, one sparked at the tender age of four and nurtured through years of highs, lows, and church life. What stands out is the way her testimony is still being written, shaping who she is now and who she’s becoming. Emmy shared how the “domino effect” of mentorship, especially by ordinary but faithful leaders, still resonates today. One particular moment described how her professor’s blunt encouragement helped her finally claim her calling to ministry: “You need to stop ignoring the fact that you’ve been called to do this in front of everybody.”
Many women in the church, like Emmy, have faced barriers, from the lack of visible role models to the ongoing struggle for inclusion and recognition. These challenges, however, can become invitations, as Emmy said, to find mentors, advocate for each other, and step into the open spaces God has prepared. We’re reminded, too, that everyone’s path looks different: “We need women to show up in the way that they feel like they’ve been led by Jesus. And we need both.”
Expanding Influence: Why Ethical Fashion Matters for People of Faith
“There is harm happening because of my habits and what I want.”
Living our faith goes beyond our Sunday service or serving in church, Emmy’s passion for ethical and sustainable fashion brings stewardship and care into the most ordinary places. Through Good for Thought, her Instagram platform, Emmy educates and inspires others about the importance of mindful consumption. It started for her with an encounter: learning about companies with purpose, then discovering the dark realities of fast fashion and its ties to exploitation and modern-day slavery.
Emmy’s response is deeply spiritual. She wrestled in prayer, asking, “What are we going to do about it, Jesus?” That question changed her. She now makes intentional choices, often giving up what she wants in the moment, for the sake of those affected far away. Practical swaps like thrifting, clothing exchanges, and buying less but with greater purpose are simple but profound steps. “If we’ve put our value systems in something else, we’d make room for it... that’s where the joy comes in.”
Bridging the Gap: From Good Intentions to Real Impact
“Our faith is not just about what we believe, but the conscious decisions and choices that reflect our values.”
While studies reveal that most consumers care about sustainability, fewer follow through. Emmy and I explored the reasons, a culture of “dupes,” influencer trends, and perhaps a waning attention to responsibility as small ethical brands get drowned out by fast fashion giants. Still, small actions make a ripple. Emmy reminded us: shares, likes, and conversations are free and powerful ways to support responsible brands and ethical creators.
Through stewardship, we live out faith in tangible ways. There’s an invitation here for all of us: to open our eyes to where our habits might hurt others, to let conviction lead us into making changes, and to celebrate that making even a small difference is valuable. As Emmy says, “It’s changing me, and it’s changing them. Praise Jesus.”
In the end, Emmy’s journey is a beautiful reminder that faith, when alive, flows into every corner of our lives. Whether you’re feeling called to new ministry or simply considering what’s in your closet, may you be encouraged to act boldly, mentor and advocate for each other, and let your values shine through your daily decisions.
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