Could basket weaving hold the key to radically re-engineering fashion? From California cotton fields to 3D woven jeans Written by Lucianne Tonti When she was growing up in Auburn, Maine in the 1990s and 2000s, Beth Esponnette was surrounded by mountains. Her mom was a basket weaver, the remnants of old brick textile mills and […]
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Textiles Are Tech
In today’s renewed focus on American manufacturing, political leaders across the aisle are calling for domestic investment in technology—urging the revitalization of production capacity at home to secure our economic future. But strangely, this conversation often leaves textiles out of the frame, treating them as outdated or irrelevant to the innovation economy. This could not […]
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Soft, Renewable, and Climate Beneficial™: Why U.S. Wool Deserves a Comeback
By Rachel Witte For decades, American wool has been overlooked in the world of performance textiles— reliable, renewable, and respected by those who know it, yet largely sidelined in an era of fast fashion and synthetic dominance. But that story is starting to shift. Thanks to a new generation of producers, processors, and designers committed […]
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Climate Beneficial™ Cotton: A Regenerative Approach to Soil Health & Supply Chain Resilience
Written by Rachel Witte Cotton has been classically bred by human communities in agricultural valleys for millennia. Originally a perennial species, it has been hybridized and transformed into an annual crop over time to enhance the volume of the annual harvest. This is one small example of the human drive to increase the plant’s annual yield. […]
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Rewriting the Rules: Rethinking Fashion Education for a Sustainable Future
In this conversation, Emily Oertling shares her journey into academia, the challenges of reshaping fashion education, and the importance of bridging industry expectations with ethical and regenerative practices.
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Connecting Farms, Designers, and Markets: A Model for a Sustainable Textile Future
How farmers, designers, and small brands are reshaping the textile industry through regional collaboration, ethical sourcing, and regenerative practices—proving that a sustainable future for fashion is already in motion.
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From Fleece to Fabric: Allison Reilly’s Personal Journey with Local Fiber
Designer and shepherd Allison Reilly transforms raw wool into woven fabric, blending artistry with holistic design. From tending sheep to crafting textiles, her work honors the land and the slow, intentional process behind every thread.
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bellweather: Fire Medicine, Fire Craft
written by Stephany Wilkes photography by Paige Green “We have this idea that land is untouchable, that to touch land is disturbance,” brontë velez says. “Well, we need to become comfortable with disturbance. Everything that’s happening is disturbing.” In relationship with the Kashia Pomo Cultural Department, to whom they are accountable, and in community with […]
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Help Secure the Future of Climate-Beneficial Agriculture
In 2022, the U.S. reached a historic inflection point when congressionally approved federal grants were allocated through agencies like the USDA, Department of Energy, and Environmental Protection Agency. These investments moved funds directly into communities—through small, agile organizations like ours—to build long-term climate and market-based resilience. These grants are vital for advancing climate-focused agriculture, reducing […]
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Building a Healthier Fiber Future: Highlights from Fibershed’s 2024 Annual Report
Across fields, farms, and fiber mills, a quiet transformation is taking place—one rooted in soil health, environmental resilience, and a deep commitment to reshaping the way we produce durable goods and textiles. Fibershed’s 2024 Annual Report highlights a year of growth, impact, and meaningful collaborations that are redefining what’s possible for climate-beneficial fiber & dye […]
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