In this episode of the Material Talk Podcast, host Emma interviews Tirsa Parrish, founder of Fashion Index - a B2B sourcing platform for fashion brands with a focus on sustainability. And sustainability, as we agree has become an out-of-control and vague buzzword, has two pillars: circularity and inclusivity. They discuss Tirsa's journey in the fashion industry, on how to find success on social media, and the challenges of that exist today in the world of fashion - particularly when it comes to sustainability. Tirsa shares her insights on circularity and inclusivity in the industry, emphasising the need for community support amongst fashion businesses. The conversation is centred on the importance of mentoring the next generation of fashion professionals and the role of technology in carving out what the future of the industry will look like. What you'll hear about in this episode: - Authenticity is key in social media engagement. - Fashion education is rigorous and competitive. - Community support is essential for small businesses - Sustainability should be integrated into business models. - Inclusivity in fashion is crucial for market growth. - Mentoring the next generation is a responsibility. - Circularity is the future of sustainable fashion. - Networking and collaboration improve business success - Understanding consumer needs is vital for product development. - Future-proofing businesses is necessary for long-term success. For more info on Fashion Index and how to get involved visit: https://www.fashionindex.com/about and follow them at on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/realfashionindex/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/real-fashion-index/ Thanks for watching!

This was an absolute joy to record - every pun intended! Joy Graham is currently pursuing her a MBA in Fashion Entrepreneurship & Technology at IFA Paris, building on her professional background of styling, costume design, and Afro-diasporic creative systems. Emma and Joy talk like old friends, despite having only recently met via LinkedIn (it's the place to be, fashion and fashion tech people!) and get into the role of AI in fashion, how to change the broader mindset when it comes to (over)consumption, and how they both actually loathe the industry's buzzwords. Joy also emphasises the need for collaboration among professionals and offers valuable advice for aspiring fashion creatives.The episode concludes with Joy's upcoming art exhibition, showcasing her passion for storytelling through visual art. Details for her exhibition in February are as follows: Venue: 📍 46 – 48 Rue Notre Dame de Nazareth 75003, Le Marais, Paris, France Opening Night / Private View: February 13th, 2026 | 7:30 PM – 10:00 PM Complimentary drinks will be served 🎉 Keep up with Joy on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joy-gikonyo-graham-847140297/ Happy listening!

It’s not every day you get to sit down with someone like Vincent Djen. He's a the Director of his family business, an entrepreneur, and has essentially earned "an MBA in fashion": learning about the industry from every angle, alongside accounting, marketing and engineering. The business he runs today is Cheng Kung Garments (CKG), a sustainable garment manufacturer that has just celebrated 50 years of success. Headquartered in Shanghai, the company has worked with brands like Ganni, Gant, Ecoalf, and Filippa-K to name a few. He's also the co-founder of China Textile Recycling: a leader in post-consumer textile collection, sorting, and is one of the drafters of China's "Specification for the design of circular clothing." In this conversation, Vincent and Emma discuss his days in college in the US (playing Counter-Strike and watching Bloomberg!), some of the biggest challenges he's faced and how he turned things around, and the textile-to-textile recycling revolution. If you’re a brand looking to bridge sustainability with craftsmanship and innovation, this conversation is a must-listen. 🔹 Keep up with all the latest updates on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vincentdjen/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/cheng-kung-garments/ 📱 And Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sustainablefashionexpert/ Thanks for listening!

This week on the Material Talk Podcast, Emma is joined by Ella Shepherd: a sustainability professional and independent consultant who’s worked with some of the biggest fashion brands in the mission towards becoming more responsible. Ella specialises in supply chain transparency, responsible sourcing, and green claims compliance: turning complex data, tools, and regulations into clear, actionable strategies that actually work in practice. She also writes As Is, a thoughtful newsletter exploring fashion, sustainability, and accountability - asking what it really means to make and wear clothes responsibly. We talk about her outlook on sustainability in the fashion industry, how tech is playing a big role, her advice for those wanting to work in the space, and just what makes this area of fashion so exciting and important. Full episode out now on YouTube and Spotify 🎧 Ella’s career is one you’ll certainly want to watch and you can do so on Substack: https://asisbyellashepherd.substack.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ellarshepherd/ And via her own website: https://www.ellashepherdconsultancy.co.uk/ Enjoy!

This week on the Material Talk Podcast, Emma talks to Sam Cerwin, co-founder of BeReworn. Based in Detroit, BeReworn is described as the "Eventbrite for sustainability". It was designed to be a hybrid community of people who are passionate about sustainability, slow fashion, and building inclusive spaces for creators, designers, and anyone looking for ways to live a more sustainable lifestyle! Sam and Emma talk about how BeReworn was born, being young female founders, and Sam's top piece of advice she'd give to herself in hindsight. Be sure to keep updated by following BeReworn on IG and TikTok: @bereworn And find more detailed information on attending and hosting events at https://www.bereworn.com/ Thanks for watching!

The Material Talk podcast is delighted to host Kat Sheppard, founder of Tote - an app where the Clueless Closet, meets Pinterest, meets your friend group chat. Kat explains that Tote started from the premise that shopping and styling is social at its core and the way that people are inspired and seeking new ideas or brands is very personal. But until now, this process has not been so. She and her team are working to recreate the experience of asking someone on the street of where they got their outfit, but online! The ultimate goal is to get people to share their outfits and wardrobe on a regular basis in order to connect with others that might have a similar style. Here, she gives her past self the best piece of advice in hindsight. Visit ⁠https://www.toteapp.io/⁠ and download the app now. Also follow Tote and Kat on social media to see the BTS of the journey to building Tote: Instagram: @toteapp.ai TikTok: @toteapp @katsheppard1 Thanks for listening 🫶