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No Ordinary Cloth: Intersection of textiles, emerging technology, craft and sustainability

No Ordinary Cloth: Intersection of textiles, emerging technology, craft and sustainability

Mili Tharakan

Textiles matter! It is the most ubiquitous and powerful material we live with - it has the power to fulfil both our senses and our soul.

Join Mili Tharakan, a Smart Textiles designer and researcher with 20+ years experience, as she speaks to textile makers, engineers, bio-chemists, material scientists, artists, innovators and others who are pushing the boundaries of the Textile and Fashion industry by creating textiles that challenge the very meaning, role and function of fabrics as we know it today.

Through her conversations and insights with global experts, she brings alive the myriad facets of the world of Textiles - a world where there are no ordinary cloths and fabrics have the power to change us and our world.

So listen in and be inspired, learn, find connections and create extraordinary textiles...

Connect with Mili Tharakan:

Email: [email protected]

www.noordinarycloth.com

Instagram I Linkedin

Your support means the world to me, if you enjoyed this podcast why not consider buying me a coffee

Credits

Cover art: Photo by Siora Photography on Unsplash

Music: Inspired Ambient, Orchestraman

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Top 10 No Ordinary Cloth: Intersection of textiles, emerging technology, craft and sustainability Episodes

Goodpods has curated a list of the 10 best No Ordinary Cloth: Intersection of textiles, emerging technology, craft and sustainability episodes, ranked by the number of listens and likes each episode have garnered from our listeners. If you are listening to No Ordinary Cloth: Intersection of textiles, emerging technology, craft and sustainability for the first time, there's no better place to start than with one of these standout episodes. If you are a fan of the show, vote for your favorite No Ordinary Cloth: Intersection of textiles, emerging technology, craft and sustainability episode by adding your comments to the episode page.

No Ordinary Cloth: Intersection of textiles, emerging technology, craft and sustainability - 🌱 Ep 12. Strategies and Ecosystems for Fashion / Textile Startup Success with Brooke Roberts-Islam, Helene Steiner, Jim Ajioka (x Fashion District)
play

06/24/24 • 66 min

Special episode: No Ordinary Cloth x Fashion District

This is the first in a series of 6 episodes in collaboration with Fashion District, who are creating a hub for fashion innovation in east London. They connect fashion, technology, business and education to provide an ecosystem of support for fashion and textile startups that includes innovation networks, affordable space, business support and investment.

In this episode, Jim Ajioka (Colorifix), Helene Steiner (OpenCell), and Brooke Roberts-Islam (Techstyler) share their unique journeys and insights about navigating the intersections of science, fashion, and innovation. They discuss the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration, the challenges of transitioning from different fields, the necessity of understanding your industry's demand, and the crucial role of marketing and customer discovery. The conversation also covers the significance of personal well-being for founders, highlighting self-care as a critical, yet often overlooked aspect of sustaining a startup. The episode wraps up with valuable insights into the resources and strategies that help startups thrive.

Brooke Roberts-Islam is the founder of Techstyler, a consultancy that focuses on providing intelligence to guide sustainability decision-making in the fashion and textile industries. She is also a senior sustainability contributor at Forbes, where she provides in-depth analysis and reporting on sustainable fashion initiatives. She is an award winning knitwear designer and has extensive experience in product development with various brands, including QASIMI, LVMH, and Solace London.

Helene Steiner is a design engineer that works at the intersection of technology and science. She co-founded Open Cell, providing affordable lab space for biotech startups. She has supported over 100 startups since 2018 and has a rich background in research at Microsoft and MIT Media Lab. She has received numerous awards and her work has been exhibited globally including at the Centre Pompidou, the Victoria and Albert Museum and the Museum of Applied Arts in Vienna.

Jim Ajioka is a Senior Lecturer at the University of Cambridge and along with Orr Yarkoni co-founded Colorifix, a startup revolutionizing textile dyeing with sustainable processes. The use microbes to produce, deposit and fix pigments on fabrics, eliminating the need for harmful chemicals and reducing water usage during dyeing. Colorifix has collaborated with major fashion brands like H&M, Pangaia, and Stella McCartney. They have raised a Series B round and is moving towards scaling up their solution.

Mili Tharakan: Linkedin I Survey

Other resources: Fashion District I Fashion for Good I The Hong Kong Research Institute of Textiles and Apparel Limited (HKRITA) I The Mills Fabrica I Steve Blank’s resources

Your support means the world to me! If you enjoyed this episode, consider buying me a coffee

Cover art: Photo by Siora, Photography on Unsplash I Music: Inspired Ambient, Orchestraman

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No Ordinary Cloth: Intersection of textiles, emerging technology, craft and sustainability - Ep 18: Investor Insights for Fashion and Textile Startups with Gabrielle Swycher, Joseph Aziz and Nic Gorini (x Fashion District)

Ep 18: Investor Insights for Fashion and Textile Startups with Gabrielle Swycher, Joseph Aziz and Nic Gorini (x Fashion District)

No Ordinary Cloth: Intersection of textiles, emerging technology, craft and sustainability

play

02/12/25 • 66 min

Special episode: No Ordinary Cloth x Fashion District

In this episode, host Mili Tharakan partners with Fashion District London to bring an insightful discussion on securing investment in the textile and fashion industries. Featuring three seasoned venture capitalists—Gabrielle Swycher (Redrice Ventures), Joseph Aziz (True Global), and Nic Gorini (Spin Ventures)—the conversation explores what investors look for in startups, actionable advice for founders, and the trends shaping the future of sustainable fashion. Whether you're a founder seeking funding or an industry professional curious about investment dynamics, this episode is packed with valuable insights.

Fashion District is a hub for fashion innovation in east London. They connect fashion, technology, business and education to provide an ecosystem of support for fashion and textile startups that includes innovation networks, affordable space, business support and investment.

Topics covered on this episode:

  1. Investor Expectations:The importance of founder resilience, passion, and purpose in early-stage startups.
    How startups can demonstrate traction, scalability, and market potential to secure funding.
  2. Actionable Advice for Founders:Tips for crafting a compelling pitch deck and avoiding common mistakes.
    How to identify the right investors by researching portfolios, mandates, and value alignment.
    The significance of building strong networks and understanding your target audience.
  3. Sustainability and Circularity:Key factors investors assess when evaluating sustainable innovations in textiles and fashion.
    The role of regulation, measurable impact, and integration into existing systems in driving investment decisions.
  4. Emerging Investment Trends:The rise of circular fashion, re-commerce platforms, traceability technologies, and regulatory-driven opportunities.
    Insights into the challenges and opportunities in biomaterials and new business models.

Meet the Expert Guests:

  • Gabrielle Swycher (Redrice Ventures): Principal at Redrice Ventures, specializing in early-stage investments in purpose-driven consumer brands and tech across the UK.
  • Joseph Aziz (True Global): Investor at True Global, focusing on early-stage consumer and retail startups with a robust network of corporate partners to support scaling efforts.
  • Nic Gorini (Spin Ventures): Founder of Spin Ventures, a niche boutique fund dedicated to accelerating the transition to a circular economy through innovative technologies.

Resources:

  • Venture Deals by Brad Feld & Jason Mendelson – A guide to understanding venture capital for first-time founders.
  • Waste to Wealth by Peter Lacy – Exploring business models behind circular practices.
  • Estia Ryan's LinkedIn post on newsletters in consumer sustainability spaces.

You can connect with me here: Linkedin I Insta I Buy me a coffee

Email me: No Ordinary Cloth

Cover art: Photo by Siora, Photography on Unsplash

Music: Inspired Ambient, Orchestraman

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No Ordinary Cloth: Intersection of textiles, emerging technology, craft and sustainability - 🌱 Ep 15. Brewing Beer for Bio-Leather with Brett Cotten (x Fashion District)

🌱 Ep 15. Brewing Beer for Bio-Leather with Brett Cotten (x Fashion District)

No Ordinary Cloth: Intersection of textiles, emerging technology, craft and sustainability

play

09/10/24 • 54 min

Special episode: No Ordinary Cloth x Fashion District

In this episode of the 'No Ordinary Cloth Podcast', we have Brett Cotten, co-founder of Arda Biomaterials, in discussion about their innovative leather alternative, New Grain made from the spent grain waste from breweries. Brett shares the establishment journey of Arda, from its founding in 2022, its recognition among Forbes 30 Under 30 and H&M's Global Change Award, to entering the competitive market with a sustainable solution.

He elaborates on his motivations for starting Arda, his educational background, and the concept of turning pain points into purposes, as described in his book 'Gene Trepeneur'.

The conversation extends to the complex challenges faced in the traditional leather industry, the innovative process behind New Grain, collaborative efforts with breweries, and insights from various accelerator programs.

Key highlights include:

  1. Turning a pain point into purpose and highlights from his book Gene-trepreneur
  2. The animal and plastic leather industry’s impact on the environment
  3. New grain technology and process to turn spent grain into bio-leather
  4. Challenges of material durability, scaling production of biomaterials, and the promising future of biomaterials in replacing conventional leather and beyond
  5. Investor relations and challenges
  6. Arda’s future material roadmap

Grab a cold beer, or your favourite drink, and get comfortable to learn all about taking waste from the craft beer industry and making it into gorgeous leather.

This is the third in a series of 6 episodes in collaboration with Fashion District, who are creating a hub for fashion innovation in east London. They connect fashion, technology, business and education to provide an ecosystem of support for fashion and textile startups that includes innovation networks, affordable space, business support and investment.

Accelerator resources: Entrepreneur First I Tech Nation I Carbon13 I Creative Destruction Lab

Connect with Arda Biomaterials: Website I Linkedin I Instagram

Book: Gene-treprenuer: Cultivating an Entrepreneurial Mindset in STEM to Impact Sutainaibility

Connect with Fashion District: Website I Instagram

Connect with Mili Tharakan: Website I Linkedin I Instagram I Buy me a coffee

Email: [email protected]

Podcast survey

Cover art: Photo by Siora, Photography on Unsplash

Music: Inspired Ambient, Orchestraman

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No Ordinary Cloth: Intersection of textiles, emerging technology, craft and sustainability - 🌱 Ep 20. Ecosystem Builders Transforming Fashion from the Inside Out with Amy Tsang, Georgia Parker and Helen Lax  (x Fashion District)
play

04/03/25 • 72 min

Special episode: No Ordinary Cloth x Fashion District

Guests:

  • Amy Tsang, Head of Europe at The Mills Fabrica
  • Georgia Parker, Innovation Team at Fashion for Good
  • Helen Lax, Director of Fashion District London

This is the 5th in a series of episodes in collaboration with Fashion District - a dynamic hub for fashion innovation in East London, connecting fashion technology, business, and education to support startups with innovation networks, affordable spaces, business guidance, and investment opportunities.

This episode of No Ordinary Cloth podcast features an insightful discussion with three prominent ecosystem builders in the fashion and textile industry: Amy Tsang, Georgia Parker and Helen Lax. They delve into the crucial role of ecosystem partners in driving innovation and sustainability within the industry.

The conversation covers various aspects of supporting startups, including common challenges faced by innovators, such as funding, scaling production, and navigating the complexities of the fashion industry.

The guests highlight the importance of collaboration and alignment among different stakeholders to accelerate the adoption of sustainable solutions. They also stress the need for greater alignment with policymakers to drive meaningful change in the industry.

The episode explores the role of ecosystem builders in supporting startups through various stages of growth, from incubation to scaling. The guests share insights on impact measurement and the importance of founder wellbeing as well.

Looking ahead, the guests envision an even more critical role for ecosystem builders in facilitating industry-wide collaboration, addressing knowledge gaps, and helping stakeholders navigate the complex landscape of innovation and sustainability in fashion and textiles. The episode concludes with personal anecdotes about cherished textile items, highlighting the emotional connections we form with clothing and the potential for long-lasting, quality garments to be passed down through generations.

Key Topics Discussed:

  • The role of ecosystem builders in driving innovation in fashion and textiles
  • Common challenges faced by startups in the fashion industry
  • Programs and support offered by The Mills Fabrica, Fashion for Good, and Fashion District London
  • Building successful fashion innovation ecosystems
  • Emerging technologies and trends transforming the fashion industry
  • The importance of collaboration between ecosystem partners
  • Funding and investment opportunities for fashion startups
  • Measuring impact and success in fashion innovation

Fashion District London l Fashion District Festival 2025

Fashion for Good

The Mills Fabrica

World of waste

Mili Tharakan: Linkedin l Insta l Buy me a coffee

Contact me: No Ordinary Cloth

Recommended listening:

Ep 18. Investor Insights for Fashion and Textile Startups

Ep 12. Strategies and Ecosystems for Fashion / Textile Startup Success

Cover art: Photo by Siora, Photography on Unsplash

Music: Inspired Ambient, Orchestraman

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No Ordinary Cloth: Intersection of textiles, emerging technology, craft and sustainability - Ep 11. Dreaming of Weaving Clouds and Inventing the Digital Jacquard Handloom with Vibeke Vestby

Ep 11. Dreaming of Weaving Clouds and Inventing the Digital Jacquard Handloom with Vibeke Vestby

No Ordinary Cloth: Intersection of textiles, emerging technology, craft and sustainability

play

05/27/24 • 64 min

In this episode of the No Ordinary Cloth Podcast, we speak with Vibeke Vestby, the inventor of the first-ever digital jacquard handloom.

She share about her passion for weaving as a child, her impatience with traditional looms and a trip to Italy that was pivotal in reimagining the 200 year old jacquard loom. Vibeke recounts her early inspiration, the technical evolution of the loom, and the collaborative process with the engineering company Tronrud, to bring her vision to life. Her persistence and determination results in the remarkable TC2 Digital Jacquard handloom.

Join us as Vibeke goes from teaching prisoners weaving to wanting to weave clouds and peonies and making a loom that will enable her and others to use the jacquard loom like a sketch book to quickly translate ideas and be a catalyst for creativity.

Vibeke also discusses her personal life, including how she became a trained pilot, and the importance of teamwork and curiosity in her groundbreaking work.

Tune in to learn how the TC2 digital loom, a symbol of potential, is revolutionising and democratising hand weaving, driving forward the ever-evolving ingenuity in textile weaving.

Connect with Vibeke Vestby and her team

Digital Weaving Norway

Insta: @digitalweavingnorway

Connect with Mili Tharakan

[email protected]

Insta: @noordinarycloth

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mjtharakan/

Cover art: Photo by Siora, Photography on Unsplash

Music: Inspired Ambient, Orchestraman

Podcast survey link

Timestamp:

00:00:04: Introduction to the episode

00:00:28: Introduction to the main topic - The Loom

00:00:59: Introduction of the guest - Vibeke Vestby

00:04:49: Vibeke's passion for weaving and her early career

00:10:08: Vibeke's teaching experience in Norway's only prison for females

00:11:26: Vibeke's career at the College of Art and Design

00:11:36: Development of the first Weave Planner programme

00:12:12: Vibeke's learnings and experience at Silk Art Foundation in Lisio, Florence

00:15:04: The history of the Jacquard loom and its evolution

00:19:12: How the Jacquard loom revolutionised weaving

00:22:42: Vibeke's journey to creating the digital Jacquard handloom

00:23:13: Initial Challenges and Realisation

00:24:33: Funding and the First Prototype

00:28:29: The Difficulties of Bringing the Loom to Market

00:31:15: The Loom and its Scaleability

00:33:56: Market Adaptation and Customer Response

00:44:42: The Loom as a Tool for Generating Ideas

00:46:27: Vibeke's Background

00:49:05: Discussion on Traditional Norwegian Costumes

00:52:04: Vibeke's Interest in Flying and Pilot Training

00:57:56: Outlook on the Future of Creative Weaving

00:59:00: Current Projects and Interests

01:03:01: Host's Reflections and Takeaways from the Conversation

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No Ordinary Cloth: Intersection of textiles, emerging technology, craft and sustainability - Ep 9. Disobedient Fabrics: A Journey in Smart Textiles with Linda Worbin (Part 1)

Ep 9. Disobedient Fabrics: A Journey in Smart Textiles with Linda Worbin (Part 1)

No Ordinary Cloth: Intersection of textiles, emerging technology, craft and sustainability

play

04/29/24 • 42 min

Welcome to the No Ordinary Cloth podcast, where we stitch together a tapestry of textile innovations one episode at a time. Today, we're joined by Linda Worbin, a pioneer in Smart Textiles. Join us as we explore the past, present, and future of this dynamic industry.

Linda Worbin, a Material and Innovation Developer based in Sweden, brings a wealth of experience to our conversation. With her background as a former professor at the Swedish School of Textiles and a visionary in the industry, Linda's journey spans over two decades of exploration and development in Smart Textiles, and offers valuable insights into the evolution of Smart Textiles.

In this episode, Linda reflects on her journey from academia to industry, sharing insights that have shaped the field and inspired many to follow in her footsteps. From dynamic textile patterns to the importance of collaborations, Linda's perspective provides a roadmap for future advancements.

Smart textiles, or e-textiles, offer intriguing functionalities that vastly differ from conventional textiles. Imagine fabrics that respond to environmental changes, altering colour or texture in real-time, or clothing that monitors vital signs and alerts you to potential risks. These innovations not only redefine our wardrobes but also revolutionise our everyday lives.

Join us as we follow the footsteps of someone who envisions the future of fabrics.

Episode Highlights:

  • Linda's journey from academia to industry
  • Insights into dynamic textile patterns and the need for collaborations
  • Preparing the next generation of textile makers
  • The mindset of a pioneer in Smart Textiles
  • Linda’s life and influences

Join us as we weave the future together—a future where innovation knows no bounds and an ordinary cloth becomes a canvas for extraordinary possibilities. This is the No Ordinary Cloth podcast.

Connect with Mili Tharakan

[email protected]

Insta: @noordinarycloth

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mjtharakan/

Cover art: Photo by Siora, Photography on Unsplash

Music: Inspired Ambient, Orchestraman

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No Ordinary Cloth: Intersection of textiles, emerging technology, craft and sustainability - Ep8. Energy Harvesting Nanotech Fibres for Wearables and Women in Science with Sohini Kar-Narayan

Ep8. Energy Harvesting Nanotech Fibres for Wearables and Women in Science with Sohini Kar-Narayan

No Ordinary Cloth: Intersection of textiles, emerging technology, craft and sustainability

play

03/15/24 • 40 min

🎉 In this episode as we celebrate Women’s Day in March 2024, we have a very special guest - Prof. Sohini Kar-Narayan, a leading material scientist and nanotechnology expert from the University of Cambridge, sharing with us about her passion for science and her work with nano materials for energy harvesting and self-powered sensing technology, and it’s potential for smart textiles and wearables.

🧪 This is also the story about a young girl who wanted to invent something and went on to become, among many things, one of the Top 50 Influential Women in Engineering in 2021. She was the recipient of the World Economic Forum Young Scientist Award in 2015, the Peter Day Award in 2023 and many other prestigious awards over the years. You can find out more about this on her Wiki page.

👩🏽‍🔬 Here, Sohini shares some of the challenges she faced as a woman navigating a career in academia in Science. From her position of leadership today, she is keen to encourage more people to explore science and gives valuable insights for others, especially women, who might be considering a career in these areas.

📍 Sohini not only invented many thing but is using one of her invention to transform the effectiveness of hip surgeries with the force-sensing technology in her startup ArtioSense so learn more about this here as well. She also candidly shares about navigating the world of start ups, the new skills she has had to pick up compared to her life as an academic researcher. I have been there and I know this is a difficult transition so if you are in a similar place, do join us to learn more from Sohini.

If you are interested to learn more about Sohini's research and startup, please check out the links below:

University of Cambridge - Research

Research Lab

Artiosense - force sensing technology startup

Connect with Mili Tharakan

⭐️ Podcast survey link

[email protected]

Insta: @noordinarycloth

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mjtharakan/

Cover art: Photo by Siora, Photography on Unsplash

Music: Inspired Ambient, Orchestraman

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No Ordinary Cloth: Intersection of textiles, emerging technology, craft and sustainability - Ep.7 ⭐️ Fashion District Manufacturing Futures Innovation Challenge 2024

Ep.7 ⭐️ Fashion District Manufacturing Futures Innovation Challenge 2024

No Ordinary Cloth: Intersection of textiles, emerging technology, craft and sustainability

play

02/28/24 • 15 min

Welcome to this special mini episode of the No Ordinary Cloth podcast, where we explore the fascinating world of textiles and fashion and the innovative minds shaping its future. Today, we're spotlighting the Manufacturing Futures 2024 - Innovation Challenge, a pivotal event for UK-based startups and SMEs in the fashion industry.

There is some exciting news to share, do listen in to the end of the episode.

Here's what we cover in this episode:

Details about the Manufacturing Futures Innovation Challenge 2024 competition and what the winner can expect as prize money and support

You will also get some insights from the judges themselves - what is important to them, what they are looking for in the applications, tips. This will give you hopefully help prepare your application.

Jen Keane from Modern Synthesis, winners of a previous Manufacturing Futures competition, will be sharing about her startup that makes biomaterials and about their collaborating with GANNI to develop the Bou bag using nano cellulose materials made by bacteria.

This episode not only highlights the Manufacturing Futures Innovation Challenge but also serves as a reminder of the power of innovation and the importance of community in shaping the future of fashion. Whether you're directly involved in the fashion industry or simply passionate about innovation and sustainability, this challenge represents a fantastic opportunity to contribute to meaningful change.

Manufacturing Futures 2024 - find out all the details about the challenge here

Fashion District

Instagram: @fd_ldn

Twitter/X: @fd_ldn

LinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.com/company/fdldn

Modern Synthesis

Link to survey - would deeply appreciate your feedback, it will only take a couple of minutes

Connect with Mili Tharakan

[email protected]

Instagram: @noordinarycloth

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mjtharakan/

Cover art: Photo by Siora, Photography on Unsplash

Music: Inspired Ambient, Orchestraman

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No Ordinary Cloth: Intersection of textiles, emerging technology, craft and sustainability - Ep 6. AI for Zero Waste Fabric, Sustainability and Traceability in Textile Factories with Gilberto Loureiro

Ep 6. AI for Zero Waste Fabric, Sustainability and Traceability in Textile Factories with Gilberto Loureiro

No Ordinary Cloth: Intersection of textiles, emerging technology, craft and sustainability

play

02/16/24 • 70 min

On this episode of the 'No Ordinary Cloth' podcast, we welcome Gilberto Loureiro, the co-founder and CEO of Smartex, an innovative startup leveraging AI and machine learning to transform the textile industry and modernise it's factories.

Gilberto draws upon his life experiences, growing up in a family where everyone worked in the textile business and witnessing the substantial wastage and outdated practices in factories. This became his motivation to set up Smartex - a company building an eco-system of solutions to bring textile factories into the 21st century, eliminate waste, and enhance traceability and sustainability. They are truly revolutionising and shaping the future of textile factories.

He talks about the challenges faced by startups and shares lots of valuable resources and advice for others who might be building a startup. He highlights the importance of mentors, being humble and enjoying the work that you do to be successful.

Furthermore, Gilberto elaborates on the sector's future, identifying technology, shorter orders, increased automation, and reduced human dependence as primary factors leading the charge. Our discussion unpacks the enormous potential AI and machine learning hold for not just improving efficiencies but also for combating the significant sustainability issues within the textile industry.

Smartex

Modern Textile Factory report

Connect with Mili Tharakan

[email protected]

Insta: @noordinarycloth

Podcast survey link

Cover art: Photo by Siora, Photography on Unsplash

Music: Inspired Ambient, Orchestraman

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No Ordinary Cloth: Intersection of textiles, emerging technology, craft and sustainability - 🌱 Ep 14. Farm to Fibre: Spinning Yarn from Potatoes (x Fashion District)

🌱 Ep 14. Farm to Fibre: Spinning Yarn from Potatoes (x Fashion District)

No Ordinary Cloth: Intersection of textiles, emerging technology, craft and sustainability

play

08/08/24 • 64 min

Special episode: No Ordinary Cloth x Fashion District

In this episode of the No Ordinary Cloth podcast, we chat with David Prior Hope (CTO) and Idan Gal-Shohet (CEO), founders of Fibe, a pioneering company converting potato harvest waste into sustainable cotton-like textile fibres.

Fibe was born out of a final year Masters project at Imperial College, London, aiming to turn agricultural waste into usable materials. Their innovative approach focuses on creating fibres from potato stems, which mimic cotton's feel and function while being more sustainable and cost-effective.

Here, they share about collaborating with agricultural institutes and industry giants like Grimme and McCain, to build a promising startup in just two years that has secured funding from the likes of Patagonia’s Tin Shed Ventures, emphasising their impactful vision to develop a solution that can truly impact the textile industry. They enthusiastically share about their feedstock agnostic technology and the power of storytelling in building a startup.

It wasn't an easy journey, they reflect on their early days working out of a shipping container and how thrilled they were to get just GBP3000 to get their university project off the ground.

The conversation is inspiring and reflects their ambitions for the company to scale up by 2027, and integrate their fibres into existing textile manufacturing processes seamlessly. David and Idan encourage brands and stakeholders to support early-stage innovations, highlighting the transformative potential of such collaborations.

Listen to them share about how they overcame challenges faced in finding funding to continue their R&D and scale their technology, their partnerships with potato farmers and fashion brands, the secret powers of being a student and how they manage a work-life balance while building an early stage startup.

Fibe is the winner of the Fashion District Manufacturing Futures Award for Innovation in 2024.

Get ready to gain a whole new level of respect for potatoes after this episode!

This is the second in a series of 6 episodes in collaboration with Fashion District, who are creating a hub for fashion innovation in east London. They connect fashion, technology, business and education to provide an ecosystem of support for fashion and textile startups that includes innovation networks, affordable space, business support and investment.

Connect with Fibe: website I Instagram I Linkedin

Connect with Fashion District: website I Instagram

Connect with Mili Tharakan: website I Instagram I Linkedin I Buy me a coffee

[email protected]

Podcast survey link

Cover art: Photo by Siora, Photography on Unsplash

Music: Inspired Ambient, Orchestraman

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FAQ

How many episodes does No Ordinary Cloth: Intersection of textiles, emerging technology, craft and sustainability have?

No Ordinary Cloth: Intersection of textiles, emerging technology, craft and sustainability currently has 21 episodes available.

What topics does No Ordinary Cloth: Intersection of textiles, emerging technology, craft and sustainability cover?

The podcast is about Fashion, Craft, Fashion & Beauty, Design, Podcasts, Arts, Innovation and Knitting.

What is the most popular episode on No Ordinary Cloth: Intersection of textiles, emerging technology, craft and sustainability?

The episode title 'Ep 11. Dreaming of Weaving Clouds and Inventing the Digital Jacquard Handloom with Vibeke Vestby' is the most popular.

What is the average episode length on No Ordinary Cloth: Intersection of textiles, emerging technology, craft and sustainability?

The average episode length on No Ordinary Cloth: Intersection of textiles, emerging technology, craft and sustainability is 54 minutes.

How often are episodes of No Ordinary Cloth: Intersection of textiles, emerging technology, craft and sustainability released?

Episodes of No Ordinary Cloth: Intersection of textiles, emerging technology, craft and sustainability are typically released every 28 days, 4 hours.

When was the first episode of No Ordinary Cloth: Intersection of textiles, emerging technology, craft and sustainability?

The first episode of No Ordinary Cloth: Intersection of textiles, emerging technology, craft and sustainability was released on Oct 9, 2023.

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