Q&A by Daniel Saavedra This summer, Fibershed teamed up with Dr. Emily Oertling from California State University, Sacramento’s Fashion Merchandising and Management program to offer a dynamic 6-week internship intensive. Focused on textile policy and advocacy, this program empowered emerging leaders to dive deep into the critical issues shaping the future of sustainable fashion. Read […]
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The True Value of Restorative Fiber—Why Climate Beneficial™ is an Investment in the Future
Written by Rachel Witte. Photography by Paige Green. Sustainability certifications have become the default mechanism for demonstrating environmental progress in the fashion and fiber industries. Labels like organic, regenerative, and climate-smart emerged in response to growing consumer pressure for transparency as globalized supply chains made it harder to trace sourcing and hold brands accountable. They […]
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What is in my children’s clothes?
Written by: Connie Gaudio & Emily Oertling Edited by: Fibershed Photography by: TM Photo Co. As a mother, I want what’s best for my family. Even before my son arrived, I had his first outfit picked out. When my son was born, the first textile his body touched was the hospital blanket. I remember the […]
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Reimagining Value in Fashion’s Supply Chain
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 But strangely, this conversation often leaves textiles out of the frame, treating them as outdated or irrelevant to the innovation economy.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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