OVERVIEW: Fast fashion dominates the fashion industry and is built on a take-make-waste business model to create a constant cycle of demand and disposal. There is no aspect of the environment the fashion industry does not severely impact. Fashion for the Earth is EARTHDAY.ORG’s campaign to address the environmental devastation caused by the fashion industry through education, advocacy, support for regulation, and outreach efforts aimed particularly at engaging and activating youth to fight against the environmentally and socially destructive practices of the fashion industry.
WHAT: EARTHDAY.ORG’s Fashion for the Earth Coordinator, Shelley Rogers, is joining forces with Kerry Bannigan, the Co-Founder of the United Nations’ Conscious Fashion and Lifestyle Network, to host The Fashion Industry’s Age of Invention- Fabulous Fabrics for the Future (Pt. 1). Kerry Bannigan will sit down with three global industry leaders, Alissa Baier-Lentz, Tricia Carey, and Tessa Callaghan, to discuss the newest innovations in textile fibers. These fibers are made of natural elements, do not contain the oil-based synthetic materials found in most clothing fabrics, and are the solution to fashion’s toxic contamination of our air, soil, and water and microplastic pollution.
WHEN: Wednesday, January 25th at 12:00 PM EST
WHERE: The virtual event will be hosted on EARTHDAY.ORG’s Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and Events page.
BACKGROUND:
Kerry Bannigan is a British social entrepreneur pioneering global fashion and media initiatives to advance the creative economy as a driving force for sustainable development. As Executive Director of the Fashion Impact Fund, Kerry spearheads high-level programs with businesses, governments, and United Nations agencies to accelerate industry action and support women social entrepreneurs transforming fashion for people and the planet.
Alissa Baier-Lentz is the Co-Founder and COO of Kintra Fibers, a materials science company who developed a bio-based, biodegradable proprietary polyester compatible with standard manufacturing equipment. As an advocate for circular fashion, Alissa has spoken at the United Nations SDG Media Summit, the SHE Changes Climate stage at COP26, the innovation stage at Milan Fashion Week, and the Material Innovation Conference and has been recognized by the Forbes 30 Under 30 “Retail / E-Commerce” list, the United Nations “Conscious Fashion” campaign, and the Everlane “No New Plastics” initiative.
Tricia Carey is an advocate for innovation and circularity in the textile and apparel industry, she recently joined Renewcell as their Chief Commercial Officer to accelerate the commercial development of Circulose®. Tricia holds a bachelor’s degree in Fashion Merchandising from The Fashion Institute of Technology, as well as certificates in Digital Marketing and Strategy from Cornell University and MIT. Tricia serves as secretary of Accelerating Circularity and holds board positions with the Transformers Foundation and the Fashion Impact Fund.
Tessa Callaghan is the Co-Founder and CEO of Keel Labs, an innovation platform expanding the potential of the ocean to accelerate the planet’s development towards a more sustainable future. With a background in design and innovation, Tessa is leading the global expansion and adoption of Keel Labs’ flagship product, Kelsun, a seaweed-based yarn. Working across the value chain, Tessa is connecting and aligning partners, brands, and manufacturers to achieve their sustainability goals and transform the textile ecosystem. As a Forbes 30 Under 30 member, Tessa is a thought leader in her space, bridging disparate fields to bring innovative solutions to the fore.
