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

• Ep 24. Medicine-Embedded Textiles: Reimagining Fabric for Pain Relief and Healing with Bradley Seese

  In this episode, host Mili speaks with Bradley Seese,(“The Yarn Geek”), VP of Operations at Clothing 2.0 and a lifelong textile innovator and technical visionary, about the future of medicine-embedded textiles. Learn how Clothing 2.0 is infusing active ingredients like capsaicin (the spicy compound in chili peppers) into yarns to create health-promoting, pain-relieving garments. The conversation spans the science, safety, sustainability, regulatory landscape, and exciting possibilities for smart wearables that do more for our wellbeing—as well as Brad’s passionate journey from North Carolina yarn mills to the frontlines of textile innovation.Key Topics What are medicine-embedded textiles, and how do they work? Capsaicin for pain relief: benefits, science, and use in smart clothing. Sustainability, wash durability, and minimizing waste in health textiles. The challenges and opportunities in bringing textile technology to market. Upskilling and creating new job pathways in US-based manufacturing. Brad’s personal journey and vision for the next wave of smart wearables.Clothing 2.0: WebsiteResources mentioned by Brad:Manufacturing Solutions Center (for textile innovation and workforce training)Advanced Textile AssociationSynthetic Yarn and Fabric AssociationSouthern Textile AssociationSEAMS: The Association for the US Sewn Products IndustryHohenstein Institute: International textile test lab and standards organizationConnect with Mili Tharakan: Website I Linkedin I Insta I Buy me a cofffeeCover art: Photo by Siora, Photography on UnsplashMusic: Inspired Ambient, Orchestraman

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• 🌱 Ep 23. Stitching together South American Folklore, Migration and Community with Jennifer Droguett Espinosa (x Fashion District)

  Special episode by No Ordinary Cloth x Fashion DistrictIn this episode of No Ordinary Cloth, host Mili speaks with Jennifer Droguett Espinosa, a Colombian and Chilean Sustainable Fashion Designer and Creative Director, and the founder of Anciela. Jennifer shares how her early experiences with migration, identity, and upcycling shaped her personal and creative outlook. She discusses her journey from making her own clothes as a child through to studying fashion in Amsterdam, interning with Viktor & Rolf, and building her career and community in London.Jennifer talks about the origins of Anciela, a brand deeply rooted in storytelling, South American folklore, and experimental tailoring, and grounded on the pillars of culture, sustainability, community, and visibility. She details her creative process, how she layers history, literature, music, and personal memory into collections, and the stories behind some of her signature pieces.The conversation covers Anciela’s approach to circularity, including sustainable material choices, zero-waste techniques, refresh and repair services, and pioneering digital product passports for transparency. Jennifer opens up about collaborating with Latinx creatives, working with diaspora charities, and making fashion more accessible through inclusive events and workshops. She reflects on her time with the Fashion District’s Evo Fashion programme and the British Fashion Council’s low-carbon initiative, highlighting the challenges and rewards of growing a purpose-led business.Jennifer concludes with advice on conscious consumption, the importance of small actions, and the need for more brands to center community, inclusivity, and honest storytelling.Anciela: Website I Linkedin I InstaMili Tharakan: Website I Linkedin I Insta I Buy me a coffeeResourcesEvo Fashion - a four-month experiential support programme for emerging brands and fashion technology businesses. It will help you to integrate sustainability into every aspect of your business, taking a holistic approach to business strategy and focusing on supply chain sustainability, ethical working standards, channels to market, and investment readiness. Deadline: 4th August 2025Low Carbon Transition Programme for SMEs report by British Fashion CouncilEllen MacArthurFashion RevolutionThe travels of a T-shirt in the global economy, book by Pietra RivoliOne Hundred Years of Solitude, book by Gabriel García MárquezIf you enjoyed this, please share the episode with a friend or colleague. Subscribe and leave a review, I love to hear your feedback.Cover art: Photo by Siora, Photography on UnsplashMusic: Inspired Ambient, Orchestraman

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• 🌱 Ep 22. Beyond the Bin: Fight Against Fashion Waste with Annabel Hought and Yayra Agbofah (x Fashion District)

  Join host Mili Tharakan as she sits down with Annabel Hought from Round Retail and Yayra Agbofah from The Revival to discuss innovative business models for sustainable fashion, the global crisis of textile waste, and the power of cross-border collaboration. This episode dives into the realities of the secondhand clothing market, the importance of community, and creative solutions for reducing waste while supporting vulnerable communities.Key Takeaways Textile waste is a global problem that requires local and international collaboration. The rise of fast and ultra-fast fashion has led to a flood of low-quality, unsellable garments, overwhelming markets like Kantamanto in Ghana. Innovative business models like Round Retail and The Revival show how fashion can be a force for good. Consumer awareness and action are crucial for driving systemic change in the fashion industry. Consumers can drive change by voting with their money and supporting responsible businesses. Reduce stigma around secondhand fashion and foster a more conscious, circular fashion ecosystem.How to SupportDonate or consign clothes to Round RetailFollow and support The Revival’s ongoing efforts to rebuild Kantamanto market and community in Accra, Ghana - DonateAdvocate for extended producer responsibility and more transparent fashion supply chainsFashion District Festival 2025Fashion District Festival 2025: 3rd - 8th June 2025, Spitalfields, LondonLaunch and performance showcase: immersive fashion showRebuild and Reimagine with Round Retail: bring old clothes for creative upcycling sessions.Accelerating Regenerative Fashion: workshopCircular Design Practice: workshopPast and Future fabrics: talksConnect with meMili Tharakan: Linkedin I Insta I Website I Buy me a coffeeIf you enjoyed this, please share the episode with a friend or colleague. Subscribe and leave a review, I love to hear your feedback.Cover art: Photo by Siora, Photography on UnsplashMusic: Inspired Ambient, Orchestraman

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• 🌱 Ep 21: Circular Fashion in Action: Insights From Luxury to Highstreet Brands with Laetitia Forst, Patrick McDowell and Philippa Grogan (x Fashion District)

  In this episode of No Ordinary Cloth, host Mili Tharakan is joined by three pioneering voices in sustainable fashion and textiles: Dr. Laetitia Forst (University of the Arts London), Patrick McDowell (designer and founder of Patrick McDowell), and Philippa “Philly” Grogan (Sustainability Manager at Nobody’s Child). Together, they break down the jargon around circular design, and circular business models-exploring why these concepts matter and how the fashion industry can shift from linear to circular ways of thinking and working.What We Cover: What circular design really means in fashion and textiles, and the three core pillars of circularity How circular design is being implemented at different scales-from luxury, made-to-order brands to large high street labels The creative opportunities and technical challenges of designing for recycling, durability, and closed-loop systems How circular business models like rental, repair, and resale are changing the way we use and value clothing The importance of storytelling, emotional durability, and customer engagement in making circularity a behaviour change. The role of emerging technologies, policy, and regulation in accelerating circular innovation ⭐️ Fashion District Festival: 3rd - 8th June 2025, London, UK ⭐️Check out these events and buy your tickets here: Launch and performance showcase Accelerating Regenerative Fashion Circular Design Practice - join our guests for this hands-on workshop Past and Future fabrics💛 Support FLOCC: Help transform Madras lace waste into valuable cotton flock fibre by supporting the FLOCC crowdfunding campaign. Your pledge helps scale sustainable material innovation and keeps textile waste out of landfill. FLOCC Crowdfunder CampaignResources & Further Reading: Circular Design with Next Gen Materials Guidebook – UAL Research Online (Laetitia Forst) Garment Lifecycle Map – Interactive Tool British Fashion Council’s Institute of Positive Fashion Future Fabrics Expo Centre for Circular Design Try your hand at sewing or repairing a garment-engage with your clothes in a new way!Mili Tharakan: Linkedin I Instagram I Website I Buy me a coffeeConnect with me: [email protected] art: Photo by Siora, Photography on UnsplashMusic: Inspired Ambient, Orchestraman

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• 🌱 Ep 20. Ecosystem Builders Transforming Fashion from the Inside Out with Amy Tsang, Georgia Parker and Helen Lax (x Fashion District)

  Special episode: No Ordinary Cloth x Fashion DistrictGuests: Amy Tsang, Head of Europe at The Mills Fabrica Georgia Parker, Innovation Team at Fashion for Good Helen Lax, Director of Fashion District LondonThis 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 innovationFashion District London l Fashion District Festival 2025Fashion for GoodThe Mills FabricaWorld of waste Mili Tharakan: Linkedin l Insta l Buy me a coffeeContact me: No Ordinary ClothRecommended listening:Ep 18. Investor Insights for Fashion and Textile StartupsEp 12. Strategies and Ecosystems for Fashion / Textile Startup SuccessCover art: Photo by Siora, Photography on UnsplashMusic: Inspired Ambient, Orchestraman

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