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Human Collective’s Conor Buckley on purpose, inclusivity and sustainability
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Human Collective founder Conor Buckley believes that what we wear, and how we live, should reflect our values. Here, the Volvo brand ambassador speaks about sustainability, inclusion, family life and finding connection, and calm, through thoughtful design.
I launched Human Collective in 2021 to create something that combined purpose with product. I felt there was a gap in the market for clothing that not only looked and felt premium, but also stood for something meaningful. The fashion industry can often feel disposable and disconnected, and I wanted to build a brand centred around unity, equality, sustainability, and human connection. Human Collective started with a simple belief: what we wear can bring people together and spark conversations around inclusion and shared values. Over time, that vision evolved into working with companies and organisations that wanted their people to feel proud of what they wear and proud of what their workplace represents.
My mum, human rights activist Christine Buckley, had a huge influence on my life on Human Collective. She was an incredible woman who dedicated her life to exposing injustice and fighting for vulnerable people in Ireland. Growing up around her work gave me a strong sense of empathy, fairness, and responsibility. She believed deeply in equality and in using your voice to create positive change, and my own work in diversity and inclusion comes from that foundation. Through Human Collective, I’ve had the opportunity to speak in companies and organisations about unconscious bias, inclusion, belonging, and creating cultures where people feel seen and valued.
Sustainability means being conscientious about the impact we make – on people, communities, and the planet. In fashion, there’s been a culture of overproduction and waste for too long. At Human Collective, we try to challenge that by focusing on quality over quantity, using premium organic materials, and producing responsibly wherever possible. I believe people are becoming more conscious about what they buy and who they buy from. Sustainability isn’t just about materials; it’s also about creating products that last, that people genuinely value, and that aren’t designed to be thrown away after a season. For me personally, I realised that becoming a parent also changes your perspective. You think much more about the kind of world you’re leaving behind for the next generation.
Our Human Collective brand logo is an equals-sign to represent the idea that every person matters equally, regardless of background, gender, race, or identity.
As a parent, safety and practicality matter and the all-electric Volvo EX40 delivers on both. The visibility around the car is incredible, which is especially reassuring with young children. Features like the 360-degree camera, sensors, and assisted parking make everyday family life much easier, from school runs to loading up bags, buggies, and everything else that comes with kids. It’s also just a very calm and comfortable car to be in as a family. There’s plenty of space, the interior feels really premium, and the quietness of the electric drive creates a much more relaxed atmosphere on journeys.
When it’s just me in the car, I love to crank up the music. The sound system in the EX40 is incredible. Whether I’m listening to Lyric FM to unwind or playing house music, driving into meetings or events, everything sounds better in the EX40. The clarity and depth of the audio completely change the driving experience; it makes the car feel calm and immersive at the same time.
The EX40 fits perfectly into my work life because my role is so varied. I’m regularly travelling to meetings, events, corporate talks, and delivering Human Collective orders, often all in the same day. So, having an electric car has been brilliant from a sustainability perspective. I also love the way the maps display across the screen and behind the steering wheel, it’s really clean and easy to follow. It feels premium and professional when arriving at meetings, but it’s also practical enough for the realities of running a growing business, and growing family. That flexibility is invaluable.
For Conor, both Human Collective and the Volvo EX40 represent something more than mere functionality or aesthetics alone. They reflect a modern mindset – one rooted in purpose, inclusivity and sustainability.
The EX40: the power to move
Scandinavian design with a contemporary edge – The EX40 combines Volvo’s signature clean-lined Scandinavian aesthetic with a compact SUV silhouette that feels modern, urban and effortlessly premium. Minimalist yet warm, it is beautifully considered inside and out.
Fully electric with impressive everyday range – Designed for modern life, the EX40 delivers a fully electric driving experience with a range of up to approximately 475km – 570km depending on model and market, making it ideal for both city commutes and longer weekend escapes.
Fast charging for life on the go – The EX40 can charge from 10-80% in as little as 28 minutes at compatible DC fast-charging stations, helping make electric driving feel seamless and genuinely practical.
Google built in for a smarter drive – With Google Maps, Google Assistant and Google Play integrated directly into the car, the EX40 offers an intuitive, connected driving experience that feels as easy to use as a smartphone.
Volvo’s renowned safety innovation – Safety remains central to the EX40, with intelligent driver assistance systems designed to help detect and avoid collisions involving vehicles, pedestrians, cyclists and large animals.
Compact outside, remarkably practical inside – Despite its sleek footprint, the EX40 offers generous interior space, clever storage solutions and comfortable seating for five, making it particularly well suited to busy family and urban lifestyles.
Over-the-air software updates – Like a smartphone, the EX40 continues to evolve over time through wireless software updates, allowing new features and improvements to be delivered without visiting a dealership.
Photography by Melanie Mullan
Explore the fully electric Volvo EX40. Learn more at volvocars.ie.
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