No Ordinary Cloth: Intersection of textiles, emerging technology, craft and sustainability

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, co‑founder of ACE (Affordable Clean Environment) Cotton, to explore how regenerative farming, microbial science and clean energy can transform the future of the world’s favourite fibre.
Together they unpack the small and large scale cotton farming industry and ask what it would mean for cotton to become a force for regeneration: rebuilding soil health, cutting emissions and creating real wealth and dignity for the people who grow it.
In this episode, we talk about:
Why cotton is still the “quiet king” of textiles – beloved by the richest and the poorest, and deeply bound up with power, politics and identity.
The difference between conventional, organic and regenerative cotton – and why “regenerative” is as much a process and pathway as an end state.
How Biothread uses microbial consortia and field trials to reduce synthetic fertiliser use, improve yields and strengthen soil health in cotton systems.
The social realities behind cotton: farmer debt, crop failure, climate volatility and why soil degradation sits at the heart of many of these crises.
ACE Cotton’s village‑level model in South Asia – combining solar irrigation, clean household energy and biodiversity projects to support just decarbonisation.
How brand decarbonisation targets, farm‑level emissions and smallholder energy access can be aligned so climate action also builds resilience and opportunity.
The role of data, measurement and software in proving impact – from input reductions and yield changes to carbon, water and livelihoods metrics.
Farmer trust, pilots and “show and tell”: what it takes to introduce new technologies and financing models into communities where risk is already high.
Why cotton must be protected as the most widely used natural fibre if we are to avoid a fully synthetic future for fashion.
The power of storytelling in shifting cotton from “cheap commodity” to living system – and how Felix and Catherine draw on their own backgrounds to do that work.
Pilio Group ACE Village
BioThread
Fashion District London
Books on the history of cotton explore its role as a global commodity that shaped modern capitalism, industrialisation, and imperialism
Empire of Cotton: A Global History : Sven Beckert
A History of the Cotton Industry : Anthony Burton
Cotton (Textiles that Changed the World) : Beverly Lemire
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Recommended listening:
Ep 25. Turning Agri Waste to Cellulose Fibre
Ep 14. Farm to Fibre
Cover art: Photo by Siora, Photography on Unsplash
Music: Inspired Ambient, Orchestraman

This 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 “Physical AI.”
Cam 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 patents for apparel automation innovations. Before CreateMe, Cam played key roles at DoubleClick (during its $3.1B sale to Google) and Group Commerce, a venture‑backed e‑commerce platform later acquired by Blackhawk Network. He began his career in investment banking at Allen & Company and holds an MA from Cambridge and an MBA from Northwestern’s Kellogg School, with further studies at MIT in advanced manufacturing.
Key takeaways
Why apparel remains one of the most labor‑intensive, offshored industries in the world, employing tens of millions of people and relying heavily on manual sewing.
What makes sewing so hard to automate: unstable textile physics, extreme variability in fabrics and fits, and the need for human‑like perception and dexterity in three‑dimensional space.
How CreateMe’s bonded garment technology uses printed adhesive patterns that mimic stitch files, enable fully automated assembly, and can be made thermo‑reversible for disassembly and recycling.
Where this platform is already being applied—starting with categories like women’s underwear—and the range of fabrics, constructions, and embellishments it can support, from fine silks to complex laminations.
The vision for on‑shoring and “microfactories of the future”: compact, high‑throughput production cells capable of million‑unit annual output, shorter lead times, and closer proximity to key consumer markets
What this shift could mean for inventory risk, responsiveness, sustainability, and the economics of producing apparel in high‑wage regions.
Cam’s founder journey from investment banking and high‑growth tech and e‑commerce ventures to building CreateMe into an apparel automation pioneer with a growing portfolio of patents—and why textiles should be seen as critical infrastructure, not just fashion trends.
CreateMe
London Sewing Machine museum: www.museumslondon.org
🎧 Recommended listening:
Ep 6. AI for Zero waste fabric, Sustainability and Traceability in Textile Factories
Ep 13. 3D Weaving yarn to garment and zero inventory circular fashion

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Mili Tharakan: Linkedin I Insta I Website I Buy me a coffee
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Cover art: Photo by Siora, Photography on Unsplash
Music: Inspired Ambient, Orchestraman

In 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 — 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. Charles shares insights from his extensive experience working with brands like Patagonia, The North Face and Adidas as well as from his teaching, research, and outdoor pursuits that inform his hands-on approach to design.
It's an episode where you will laugh and learn from one of the legends of outdoor and performance wear.
Key Takeaways
Designing for both physical and emotional longevity is one of fashion’s most sustainable acts.
Storytelling, authenticity, and personal connection drive emotional durability.
Consumers are more likely to repair, care for, and retain garments they’re emotionally attached to.
The sportswear sector can lead in circular thinking by blending innovation with human-centered design.
Longevity is not just about how long clothes last, but how long they matter.
Resources:
DO Lectures
A Climate of Truth by Mike Bernes-Lee
There is No Planet B by Mike Bernes-Lee
Performance Days
Connect with Charles Ross: LinkedIn
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If you enjoyed this, please share the episode with a friend or colleague. Subscribe and leave a review, I love to hear your feedback.

Cover art: Photo by Siora, Photography on Unsplash
Music: Inspired Ambient, Orchestraman

Special episode by No Ordinary Cloth x Fashion District
In this episode, Mili speaks with Sol Escobar, founder of Give Your Best, and Anoli Mehta, founder of Circular Threads, two inspiring women tackling fashion’s social and environmental challenges from different angles. Sol’s award-winning social enterprise helps bridge the gap between clothing waste and clothing poverty by allowing people in need—such as refugees and survivors of domestic violence—to shop donated fashion online for free, preserving choice and dignity while promoting circularity. Meanwhile, Anoli’s platform gives South Asian wedding and occasion wear a meaningful second life by creating a space for people to buy, sell, and rediscover preloved garments, extending their lifespan and reducing waste.
Both founders are proving that community-driven circularity—whether through redistribution or resale—can reshape the fashion system, reducing waste while building inclusivity and meaningful connection in how we consume and value clothes
Key Topics Discussed:
How Sol and Anoli’s businesses address fashion waste and offer alternatives to buying new
The problem of clothing poverty in the UK and how Give Your Best gives agency and dignity to vulnerable individuals through free shopping for donated clothes
The challenge of overconsumption and the cultural significance of South Asian fashion, and how Circular Threads is building a dedicated marketplace for preloved occasion wear
The power of community: building genuine connections with buyers, sellers, donors and volunteers
Stories of personal identity, belonging, and the emotional meaning tied to clothing
Behind-the-scenes experiences in entrepreneurship, including overcoming failure, learning resilience, and finding inspiration from lived experiences
What success looks like—impact, culture shift and empowering others
Calls to Action:
Listeners are invited to support both projects by donating clothing, becoming a volunteer, attending events, or simply spreading the word to raise awareness
Anyone with South Asian outfits or formalwear they no longer use is encouraged to visit Circular Threads’ store or online marketplace
For Give Your Best, all are welcome to donate clothes, connect with local volunteers (“Besties”), and help extend the platform’s mission
Join these communities to help fashion last longer than an evening out
Follow and connect with Sol Escobar and Anoli Mehta:
Give Your Best: Website I Insta
Circular Threads: Website I Insta
Connect with me
Mili Tharakan: LinkedIn I Insta I Website I Buy me a coffee
If you enjoyed this, please share the episode with a friend or colleague. Subscribe and leave a review, I love to hear your feedback.
Recommended listening:
Ep 22. Beyond the Bin: fighting against Fashion Waste
Ep 21. Circular Fashion in Action: Insights From Luxury and Highstreet Brands

Cover art: Photo by Siora, Photography on Unsplash
Music: Inspired Ambient, Orchestraman

In this episode, host Mili Tharakan, dives deep into the extraordinary mind and career of Amanda Parkes—a true pioneer at the intersection of science, fashion, and engineering. Amanda has consistently challenged boundaries and redefined what’s 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 Company’s Most Innovative Brands list. She holds a PhD and MS from the MIT Media Lab and degrees in Mechanical Engineering and Art History from Stanford. As an Advisor at Regeneration VC Amanda also advises leading climate tech and biomaterials startups and is an internationally recognised speaker, honoured by the Business of Fashion and Vanity Fair for her influential work shaping the industry.
In this episode they explore Amanda's latest venture - Mothership Materials, where she is translating cutting-edge molecular separation technology to turn waste into valuable ingredients for the next generation of textiles and glucose for microbes. Amanda's insights offer a hopeful and innovative vision for the future of the textile industry.
Key takeaways from this episode include the potential of waste valorisation in creating sustainable textiles, the importance of interdisciplinary approaches, and the need for robust business models in sustainable fashion.
Mothership Materials
00:00 Introduction to the No Ordinary Cloth Podcast
00:43 Meet Amanda Parkes: A Pioneer in Sustainable Textiles
05:52 Defining the Role of a Fashion Scientist
13:53 Amanda's New Venture: Mothership Materials
36:03 Navigating Interdisciplinary Skills and Innovation Diplomacy
43:44 Challenges and Strategies in Scaling Sustainable Technologies
51:53 Insights from Leading Innovation at Pangaia
01:09:40 Future of Emerging Textile Technologies
01:10:33 AI in Textile Innovation
01:11:18 Regeneration VC Fund's Mission
01:12:50 Challenges in Impact Measurement
01:15:12 Investment Nervousness in Fashion Startups
01:18:43 Career Path and Advice for Young Professionals
01:42:22 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
Pangaia Lab I Regeneration VC
🎧 Recommended Listening:
Ep 14. Farm to Fibre
Ep 15. Brewing Beer for Bio Leather
Ep 2. From Garden Waste to Leather
Ep 16. Catalyst Shaping the Future of Sustainable and Ethical Fashion
Connect with me
Mili Tharakan: Linkedin I Insta I Buy me a coffee I Email
❤️ Subscribe and leave a review, I love to hear your feedback

Cover art: Photo by Siora, Photography on Unsplash
Music: Inspired Ambient, Orchestraman