Joanna Olszewska is the Co-Founder and Co-Owner of WILDA.ECO. This groundbreaking, sustainable, slow-fashion brand challenges the norms of the fashion industry with its maximalist approach to sustainability. Based in the heart of the diverse Wilda district in Poznań, Poland, Joanna has taken her extensive experience in fashion and textiles and channeled it into creating luxurious, timeless, and ethical garments that redefine the standards of slow fashion. Her mission? To prove that sustainability, meaningful luxury, and timeless elegance are not mutually exclusive but intrinsically linked.
She leveraged her expertise and passion to co-found WILDA.ECO alongside her partner in 2024. Together, they launched the world’s first biodegradable, vegan, and natural women’s suit made ethically and hyper-locally in Wilda, Poznań, Poland. Joanna has taken the lead as the driving force shaping the brand’s identity, philosophy, and unique approach to sustainable fashion.
Rooted in slow fashion principles, the brand’s production model supports local artisans, eliminates waste through made-to-order and made-to-measure options, and prioritizes full transparency by disclosing the precise origin of every component used. Joanna firmly believes in empowering women through inclusive design, a philosophy reflected in WILDA.ECO’s offering of 45 sizes across various body shapes and heights.
“I believe in elevating women—not just through the perfect suit, but through empowerment, inclusivity, and ethical business practices.” – Joanna Olszewska
Takeaways:
Sustainability requires transparency, innovation, and no compromises.
True inclusivity means designing for all body types and sizes—and it’s worth the effort.
Ethical fashion can be luxurious and aspirational without losing its values.
Supporting local economies is a powerful way to reduce environmental impact and foster community.
Joanna Olszewska is the Co-Founder and Co-Owner of WILDA.ECO
Please introduce yourself to our community and share your inspiring story.
I’m Joanna Olszewska, Co-Founder and Co-Owner of WILDA.ECO, a brand born from the idea that fashion could and should do better. Before launching the company in 2024 with my partner, I spent years working for some of the world’s most prestigious fashion brands, collaborating on products often marketed as sustainable but lacking true transparency and genuine eco-commitment. This experience was my wake-up call. Sustainability in fashion usually felt like a hollow selling point rather than a core value. I felt compelled to create a brand that was the antithesis of that approach—a brand where every choice was deeply rooted in ethical, sustainable practices, without compromise.
With my partner, who has a deep background in textiles, we decided to challenge the status quo. And what better way to prove our dedication than by creating what is arguably one of the most complex garments to make—the women’s suit? But we didn’t stop at complex; we chose to make it vegan, biodegradable, and ethically handcrafted using only European or Japanese components. We knew if we could make this garment sustainably, we could set a powerful example of the possibilities for fashion’s future.
What made you decide to go into business for yourself?
My decision stemmed from frustration and hope. Having witnessed the lack of genuine sustainable practices in the industry, I wanted to create something meaningful—fashion that looks good and does good.
The suit is symbolic for me. It represents empowerment, individuality, and timeless craftsmanship. When we embarked on this project, we discovered that no other truly sustainable, biodegradable, and vegan suit existed in the global market. That realization felt like both a challenge and an opportunity. By going into business for myself, I could make environmental and ethical practices the backbone of every decision rather than an afterthought.
What was the inspiration behind starting WILDA.ECO?
At its core, WILDA.ECO reflects values deeply rooted in our personal lives—supporting local communities, minimizing waste, and nurturing a connection to the environment and people. The brand began in Wilda, a historic district of Poznań, where our design studio and production occur within a 3km radius. That is why the name “WILDA” resonates so strongly with me.
From the outset, we chose a maximalist approach to sustainability. No shortcuts. This approach meant researching and sourcing materials that are biodegradable, vegan, and certified for their
eco-friendliness. It took us 1.5 years to find materials for every single component—and when no existing solution met our standards, we invented our own, such as the biodegradable shoulder pads made from organic bamboo wadding and European linen.
Sustainability doesn’t stop at production. We allocate 1% of our revenue (not profits) to local initiatives like “WILdzianie” and Médecins Sans Frontières. Grounded in community and humanitarian values, WILDA.ECO is not just about creating garments but also about making a better world in every way we can.
What were some of the biggest challenges you faced when starting the business?
One of the biggest challenges was creating a product that met our high standards of sustainability, transparency, and inclusivity. Finding suppliers willing to disclose the exact origin of their raw materials was an uphill battle. We also had to design and develop in-house solutions for components like shoulder pads and embroidery when no existing sustainable options met our criteria.
Marketing and visibility are ongoing challenges. Despite having a unique and globally relevant product, competing with the marketing budgets of fast-fashion giants can feel like a
David-versus-Goliath situation. However, I’ve learned to see these obstacles as opportunities to connect with like-minded individuals who genuinely value our mission.
What would you consider your biggest accomplishment and why?
One of my proudest accomplishments is creating a completely traceable and transparent production process for WILDA.ECO. Every single component in our garments, from the fabric to the buttons, comes with a story—a specific European region of origin, an ethical sourcing process, and sustainable certifications.
We didn’t stop at transparency for transparency’s sake. We wanted our customers to feel connected to the craftsmanship of their clothes and to understand that their choices matter.
Another major milestone is designing suits that celebrate inclusivity, offering 45 sizes across five heights and nine body types. Every woman deserves clothing that fits beautifully and aligns with her values. These achievements set WILDA.ECO is a global leader in sustainable and inclusive fashion.
“True luxury lies in conscious choices, from the materials we wear to the impact we create.” – Joanna Olszewska
Every entrepreneur has a goal and problem they’re trying to solve. What was the inspiration that started your journey?
The inception of WILDA.ECO was grounded in the question, “What if you held fashion to the same rigorous standards of transparency and ethics as fair-trade food or clean beauty?”
My partner and I wanted to challenge everything we thought we knew about production and push the boundaries of what was possible. Sustainability has become a buzzword in our industry, but we sought to define what it means to truly practice sustainability—without shortcuts or greenwashing.
Our district in the city of Poznań, Wilda, became our foundation, enabling hyperlocal production and a meaningful connection to our community. Supporting local artisans and sourcing regionally from Europe and Japan wasn’t just logistical; it also symbolized our belief that sustainability has to work at a local level to truly thrive globally.
What are your long-term goals for WILDA.ECO?
Our long-term goal is to expand our business globally while staying true to our hyperlocal roots and sustainable practices. I want to see WILDA.ECO become a standard-bearer for what fashion can achieve when it puts ethics, transparency, and environmental responsibility first.
We are also committed to leading by example in the industry. We aim to inspire other brands to adopt more sustainable and socially responsible practices through initiatives like our made-to-order production model and 1% revenue contributions to causes like Médecins Sans Frontières and local Wilda community projects.
How do you prioritize self-care while managing the demands of your business?
Prioritizing self-care is essential, though it’s not always easy. For me, it’s about connecting with the values that guided me to start WILDA.ECO in the first place—living sustainably, building community, and spending time outdoors. I also make a point to celebrate small wins, which helps keep me focused on the positives, even during challenging times.
What advice would you give to a new female business owner or your younger self?
I would tell new female business owners to be unrelenting in their vision, even when the challenges seem insurmountable. Surround yourself with people who believe in your mission and are willing to put in the effort not just for a paycheck but to create something extraordinary.
To my younger self, I’d say, “Don’t shy away from taking up space.” Your ideas are worthy, your voice matters, and if the industry doesn’t want to make room for you, build a space of your own—one that’s bigger and better than what came before.
How can readers support you and learn more about WILDA.ECO?
You can explore our story and shop our collection on our website at www.wilda.eco. Follow us on social media to stay connected with our commitment to sustainability and the stories behind our handcrafted pieces.
For those inspired by our mission, share it! Tell your friends, write about us, or reach out for collaborations. Every bit of support brings us closer to a fashion industry that values ethics over excess.
Final thoughts
Joanna Olszewska’s story exemplifies what’s possible when passion meets purpose. WILDA.ECO offers a new paradigm for sustainable luxury that honors people, the planet, and the artistry of fashion.
To learn more about WILDA.ECO’s mission and explore their sustainable collection, visit WILDA.ECO.
“Fashion has the power to shape not just style, but a better, more inclusive and sustainable future.” – Joanna Olszewska
Want more inspiring interviews?
We love spotlighting amazing women! Check out these interviews (plus so many more) on She Owns It.
All of these and more are part of our interview series spotlighting successful women in business.
Melissa Stewart is the founder of SheOwnsIt.com. She is a Purveyor of Possibility, Entrepreneur Advocate and Coffee Addict. She believes that behind every successful woman is her story. What’s your story?
