Shows
No Ordinary Cloth: Intersection of textiles, emerging technology, craft and sustainabilityđ± Ep 29. Cotton, Soil & Solar: Reâimagining the "Quiet King" of Textiles with Catherine Bottrill and Felix Bartlett (x Fashion District)This is a special episode in partnership with Fashion District London.In this episode of No Ordinary Cloth, we go back to where the cotton story truly begins: in the soil and in small farming communities. Mili is joined by Felix Bartlett, founder of Biothread, and Dr. Catherine Bottrill, coâfounder of ACE (Affordable Clean Environment) Cotton, to explore how regenerative farming, microbial science and clean energy can transform the future of the worldâs favourite fibre.Together they unpack the small and large scale cotton farming industry and ask what it would mean for cott...
2026-02-161h 11
No Ordinary Cloth: Intersection of textiles, emerging technology, craft and sustainabilityEp 28. AI Robotics for Fabrics and the Future of Stitchless Garment Making with Cam MyersThis episode goes deep into the complexity of how our clothes are cut and sewn today and what it will take to rebuild apparel manufacturing for the 21st century. Mili Tharakan is joined by Cam Myers, Founder, CEO and Board Director of CreateMe Technologies, who shares how his team is pioneering an autonomous, stitchless tailoring platform that brings together robotics, advanced adhesives and what he calls âPhysical AI.âCam is a seasoned entrepreneur and inventor with two decades of experience across automation, hardware, software, and apparel tech, he has built CreateMe from concept to industry pioneer, securing 25 patent...
2026-02-031h 24No Ordinary Cloth: Intersection of textiles, emerging technology, craft and sustainabilityEp 27. Sustainability Through Longevity: Emotional Durability in Fashion with Charles RossIn this episode of No Ordinary Cloth, we sit down with Charles Ross, Performance Sportswear Design Lecturer at the Royal College of Art, to explore what durability and sustainability looks like in the fashion and sportswear industries. Charles has spent over two decades at the intersection of functional design and environmental responsibility, championing the idea of sustainability through longevity â creating durable, meaningful clothing that stands the test of time.Together, we unpack the idea of emotional durability: how designers can foster deeper connections between people and their garments, making us value what we wear more and waste less. C...
2026-01-071h 16No Ordinary Cloth: Intersection of textiles, emerging technology, craft and sustainabilityEp 26. Clothing Poverty, Pre-loved South Asian Wedding Fashion and Building Community for Change with Anoli Mehta and Sol Escobar (x Fashion District)Special episode by No Ordinary Cloth x Fashion DistrictIn this episode, Mili speaks with Sol Escobar, founder of Give Your Best, and Anoli Mehta, founder of Circular Threads, two inspiring women tackling fashionâs social and environmental challenges from different angles. Solâs award-winning social enterprise helps bridge the gap between clothing waste and clothing poverty by allowing people in needâsuch as refugees and survivors of domestic violenceâto shop donated fashion online for free, preserving choice and dignity while promoting circularity. Meanwhile, Anoliâs platform gives South Asian wedding and occasion wear a meaningful second lif...
2025-10-161h 12No Ordinary Cloth: Intersection of textiles, emerging technology, craft and sustainabilityEp 25. Turning Agri Waste to Cellulose Fibre, High-Tech Naturalism and the Making of a Fashion Scientist with Amanda ParkesIn this episode, host Mili Tharakan, dives deep into the extraordinary mind and career of Amanda Parkesâa true pioneer at the intersection of science, fashion, and engineering. Amanda has consistently challenged boundaries and redefined whatâs possible in textiles and sustainability.Amanda Parkes is a renowned fashion scientist with more than 20 years of experience pioneering innovation, sustainability, and smart materials across the fashion and technology sectors. As founding scientist and Chief Innovation Officer at Pangaia, she led the creation of market-first, sustainable materials, helping to earn the brand a top spot on Fast Companyâs Most Innova...
2025-09-291h 44No Ordinary Cloth: Intersection of textiles, emerging technology, craft and sustainabilityEp 24. Medicine-Embedded Textiles: Reimagining Fabric for Pain Relief and Healing with Bradley SeeseIn this episode, host Mili speaks with Bradley Seese,(âThe Yarn Geekâ), 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 wellbeingâas well as Bradâs passionate journey from North Carolina yarn mills to the frontlines of textile innovation.Key Topics What are medicine...
2025-08-041h 04No Ordinary Cloth: Intersection of textiles, emerging technology, craft and sustainabilityđ± 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...
2025-07-181h 08
Seeing Senses with Sarah HyndmanDesigning for laughs with Design Week editor Rob AldersonDesigning for laughs with Rob AldersonSeeing humour: Timing, tension and the sensory surprise of laughterâThere arenât many creative practices where thatâs so short: that connection and that sort of intensity between the audience and the artist.â Rob AldersonWhat do graphic design and stand-up comedy have in common?In this episode of Seeing Senses, writer, editor, and occasional comedian Rob Alderson joins Sarah to explore how both design and humour tap into fast, emotional reactions, often before weâre able to explain...
2025-06-0647 minNo Ordinary Cloth: Intersection of textiles, emerging technology, craft and sustainabilityđ± 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...
2025-06-0239 min
Seeing Senses with Sarah HyndmanCrossing senses with Professor Charles SpenceCrossing senses with Professor Charles SpenceSeeing senses: Sight, flavour and how expectation reshapes experienceâNone of us believe that our senses affect us as much as, in fact, the evidence shows that they do.â Professor Charles SpenceWhat if your eyes are misleading your tongue?In this episode of Seeing Senses, experimental psychologist Professor Charles Spence joins Sarah to explore how our senses cross paths more often than we think. From pink yoghurt that tastes sweeter to the name that changes ice crea...
2025-05-2231 minNo Ordinary Cloth: Intersection of textiles, emerging technology, craft and sustainabilityđ± 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 âPhillyâ Grogan (Sustainability Manager at Nobodyâs 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 pillar...
2025-05-181h 13No Ordinary Cloth: Intersection of textiles, emerging technology, craft and sustainabilityđ± 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...
2025-04-031h 12
Textile InnovationEp. 117: Now and the future of Smart TextilesIn this episode WTiN speaks with Mili Tharakan, a smart textile consultant of the Smart Textile Alliance and podcast host of No Ordinary Cloth. Tharakan has spent 20 years working in smart textiles as a designer and researcher. In her podcast No Ordinary Cloth, she delves into the world of textiles and tapestry innovation. In this episode, she speaks with Victoria Nickerson about WTiNâs Smart Textiles offering. The pair discuss the changing sector of Smart Textiles and wearable technologies. They delve into how WTiN covers and supports the sector. They share their careers to date and e...
2025-03-1847 min
No Ordinary Cloth: Intersection of textiles, emerging technology, craft and sustainabilityEp 19. Now and the Future of Smart Textiles with Victoria NickersonIn this special episode of No Ordinary Cloth, we're joined by Victoria, the Material Innovation Lead at the World Textile Information Network (WTIN). Victoria shares her insights on the rapidly evolving field of smart textiles, highlighting key innovations and challenges in this industry. We discuss how smart textiles are bridging the gap between textiles, electronics, and computing, and explore emerging trends such as self-powered textiles and bio-based solutions. Victoria also discusses the importance of sustainability and circularity in the smart textile industry.About WTIN: WTIN is a leading provider of specialist insights and data-driven intelligence for...
2025-03-1849 minNo Ordinary Cloth: Intersection of textiles, emerging technology, craft and sustainabilityEp 18: Investor Insights for Fashion and Textile Startups with Gabbie Swycher, Joseph Aziz and Nic Gorini (x Fashion District)Special episode: No Ordinary Cloth x Fashion DistrictIn 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 capitalistsâGabbie Swycher (Redrice Ventures), Joseph Aziz (True Global), and Nic Gorini (Spin Ventures)âthe 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 Dist...
2025-02-121h 06
No Ordinary Cloth: Intersection of textiles, emerging technology, craft and sustainabilityEp 17. Scaling an E-textiles Startup and Soft Electronics for the Auto Industry with Madison MaxeyJoin us on this episode of No Ordinary Cloth as we welcome Madison Maxey, the visionary founder and CEO of Loomia, a pioneering company in e-textiles. Host Mili Tharakan sits down with Maddy to explore her incredible journey from fashion design at Parsons to creating cutting-edge, soft and flexible electronics that are now making way into the automotive and robotics industries.In this episode, Maddy shares her story of resilience, innovation, and the highs and lows of building a business in a challenging industry. Loomiaâs breakthrough LEL (Loomia Electronic Layer) technology is helping redefine how we th...
2024-11-041h 02
No Ordinary Cloth: Intersection of textiles, emerging technology, craft and sustainabilityEp 16. A Catalyst Shaping the Future of Sustainable and Ethical Fabric with Nina Marenzi and Amanda JohnstonIn this episode of No Ordinary Cloth, I sit down with Nina and Amanda, the brilliant minds behind the Future Fabrics Expo, to dive deep into how theyâre revolutionising the textile and fashion industries through an expo that drives sustainability and innovation. The Future Fabrics Expo has become a key platform in the industry, showcasing thousands of sustainable materials and driving discussions around environmental responsibility, circularity, and collaboration across disciplines to drive the change we want to see in the Fashion and Textile industry.We explore the growing need for materials that have a positive impact on...
2024-09-291h 20No Ordinary Cloth: Intersection of textiles, emerging technology, craft and sustainabilityđ± Ep 15. Brewing Beer for Bio-Leather with Brett Cotten (x Fashion District)Special episode: No Ordinary Cloth x Fashion DistrictIn 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...
2024-09-1054 minNo Ordinary Cloth: Intersection of textiles, emerging technology, craft and sustainabilityđ± Ep 14. Farm to Fibre: Spinning Yarn from Potatoes (x Fashion District)Special episode: No Ordinary Cloth x Fashion DistrictIn 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 agr...
2024-08-081h 04No Ordinary Cloth: Intersection of textiles, emerging technology, craft and sustainabilityEp 13. 3D Weaving Yarns into Garments and Zero Inventory Circular Fashion with Beth EsponnetteIn this episode of the No Ordinary Cloth podcast, Beth Esponnette, the co-founder of Unspun, shares her groundbreaking innovation in 3D weaving technology that creates garments in a single, seamless piece, revolutionising fashion manufacturing and disrupting the current supply chain. Beth discusses her journey from an assistant professor to a pioneer and founder of Unspun, her challenges in scaling micro factories, and the leadership lessons she learned while captaining Cornellâs Nordic Ski team.She emphasises the importance of transitioning from linear to circular life cycles to address sustainability, reduce overproduction, and the environmental impact of materials li...
2024-07-241h 17No Ordinary Cloth: Intersection of textiles, emerging technology, craft and sustainabilityđ± Ep 12. Strategies and Ecosystems for Fashion / Textile Startup Success with Brooke Roberts-Islam, Helene Steiner, Jim Ajioka (x Fashion District)Special episode: No Ordinary Cloth x Fashion DistrictThis 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...
2024-06-241h 06No Ordinary Cloth: Intersection of textiles, emerging technology, craft and sustainabilityEp 11. Dreaming of Weaving Clouds and Inventing the Digital Jacquard Handloom with Vibeke VestbyIn 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...
2024-05-281h 04
No Ordinary Cloth: Intersection of textiles, emerging technology, craft and sustainabilityEp 10. Disobedient Fabrics: A Journey in Smart Textiles with Linda Worbin (Part 2)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...
2024-04-2944 minNo Ordinary Cloth: Intersection of textiles, emerging technology, craft and sustainabilityEp 9. Disobedient Fabrics: A Journey in Smart Textiles with Linda Worbin (Part 1)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...
2024-04-2942 minNo Ordinary Cloth: Intersection of textiles, emerging technology, craft and sustainabilityEp8. Energy Harvesting Nanotech Fibres for Wearables and Women in Science with Sohini Kar-Narayanđ  In this episode as we celebrate Womenâs 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 itâs potential for smart textiles and wearables.đ§Ș 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 o...
2024-03-1540 minNo Ordinary Cloth: Intersection of textiles, emerging technology, craft and sustainabilityEp.7 âïž Fashion District Manufacturing Futures Innovation Challenge 2024Welcome 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
2024-02-2815 minNo Ordinary Cloth: Intersection of textiles, emerging technology, craft and sustainabilityEp 6. AI for Zero Waste Fabric, Sustainability and Traceability in Textile Factories with Gilberto LoureiroOn 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...
2024-02-161h 10
No Ordinary Cloth: Intersection of textiles, emerging technology, craft and sustainabilityEp 5. Indigo-Dyed Fabric Migration and Thinking Through Making with Mika SatomiIn this episode of The No Ordinary Cloth Podcast, we hear from Mika Satomi - an exceptional artist and maker whose artistic approach transcends mediums. She skilfully blends traditional and modern, digital and manual techniques and materials to convey powerful narratives. She is as proficient in weaving and crocheting as she is in programming and electronics and so many other techniques. Here she shares about her approach to learning new skills and deepening her existing ones.She is known as a pioneer in the E-textiles community and most people would know her through Kobakant - How to...
2024-01-131h 04
No Ordinary Cloth: Intersection of textiles, emerging technology, craft and sustainabilityEp 4. Unboxing Science to Make Future Fabrics with Anastasia PistofidouWhether you are a textile designer, biologist, engineer, architect, fashion designer, material scientist or a curious maker - we all need to come together to innovate and solve challenges the world is facing today.On this episode our guest speaker Anastasia Pistofidou has done just that - she has created an ecosystem that brings together diverse expertise to explore textiles and solve some of these challenges.Trained as an architect, Anastasia meanders into the world of textiles through soft architecture, where she began to take knowledge and tools from her architectural background and apply them...
2023-12-1549 min
No Ordinary Cloth: Intersection of textiles, emerging technology, craft and sustainabilityEp 3: Knitting Mathematics and Musical Textiles with Sophie SkachWhether you love or hate mathematics, you are going to enjoy listening to this episode.In this interview, Sophie Skach, a fashion designer and researcher, discusses her passion for interweaving the world of textiles with mathematics and technology, and her unique approach to creating catwalk collections and PhD research projects. She shares her journey on how she uses textiles as a medium to demystify mathematics and communicate complex mathematical concepts through her textile and fashion pieces.Dive into Sophieâs world to learn about mathematical fashion and uncover the complex yet whimsical projects she shares wi...
2023-11-241h 01No Ordinary Cloth: Intersection of textiles, emerging technology, craft and sustainabilityEp 2: From Garden waste to Leather with Daniela RondinoneWho doesnât love a beautiful leather jacket or bag. Sadly, the leather industryâs high water and chemical waste from the tanning process is extremely polluting. And faux leather is made from polyurethane and plastics. So can we ever use leather products without feeling guilty?Join me as I find out from Daniela Rondinone, the Business and Operations Manager at Biophilica, all about alternative leather that is plastic free and recyclable. Learn about how autumn leaves are transformed into leather that seems to bring the best of both natural and faux leather industries together into one perf...
2023-10-0942 minNo Ordinary Cloth: Intersection of textiles, emerging technology, craft and sustainabilityEp 1: Light and Lace with Sara RobertsonSara Robertson is a smart textile maker and researcher who has been exploring different ways to translate concepts of change and movement in nature through her beautiful textile creation over the last 20 years. Join me as I speak with Sara about her journey from a young artist to a leading smart textiles researcher. Learn about how she is making lace with light - these are absolutely exquisite textiles, and what has influenced her creative process. Find out her plans for the future and what it takes to be a researcher at the cutting edge of the industry.
2023-10-0936 minNo Ordinary Cloth: Intersection of textiles, emerging technology, craft and sustainabilityTrailerThe future of Textile awaits and we are stitching it together one episode at a time....Join me in this podcast  series to learn and be inspired by all the incredible textiles that is radically changing the very landscape of fabrics as we know it. Whether you are an expert in the field or just curious about textiles and fashion, this podcast will capture your imagination and give you a glimpse into the future of Textiles.Please subscribe to this podcast and listen in as I bring you the best and brightest minds fr...
2023-10-0906 min