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No Ordinary Cloth: Intersection of textiles, emerging technology, craft and sustainabilityAuthor: Mili Tharakan
Textiles matter! It is the most ubiquitous and powerful material we live with - it has the power to fulfil both our senses and our soul. Join Mili Tharakan, a Smart Textiles designer and researcher with 20 years experience, as she speaks to textile makers, engineers, bio-chemists, material scientists, artists, innovators and others who are pushing the boundaries of the Textile and Fashion industry by creating textiles that challenge the very meaning, role and function of fabrics as we know it today.Through her conversations and insights with global experts, she brings alive the myriad facets of the world of Textiles - a world where there are no ordinary cloths and fabrics have the power to change us and our world.So listen in and be inspired, learn, find connections and create extraordinary textiles...Connect with Mili Tharakan:Email: mili@militharakan.comwww.noordinarycloth.comInstagram I LinkedinYour support means the world to me, if you enjoyed this podcast why not consider buying me a coffeeCreditsCover art: Photo by Siora Photography on UnsplashMusic: Inspired Ambient, Orchestraman Language: en Genres: Arts, Design, Fashion & Beauty Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it Trailer: |
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🌱 Ep 23. Stitching together South American Folklore, Migration and Community with Jennifer Droguett Espinosa (x Fashion District)
Episode 23
Thursday, 17 July, 2025
Special episode by No Ordinary Cloth x Fashion DistrictIn this episode of No Ordinary Cloth, host Mili speaks with Jennifer Droguett Espinosa, a Colombian and Chilean Sustainable Fashion Designer and Creative Director, and the founder of Anciela. Jennifer shares how her early experiences with migration, identity, and upcycling shaped her personal and creative outlook. She discusses her journey from making her own clothes as a child through to studying fashion in Amsterdam, interning with Viktor & Rolf, and building her career and community in London.Jennifer talks about the origins of Anciela, a brand deeply rooted in storytelling, South American folklore, and experimental tailoring, and grounded on the pillars of culture, sustainability, community, and visibility. She details her creative process, how she layers history, literature, music, and personal memory into collections, and the stories behind some of her signature pieces.The conversation covers Anciela’s approach to circularity, including sustainable material choices, zero-waste techniques, refresh and repair services, and pioneering digital product passports for transparency. Jennifer opens up about collaborating with Latinx creatives, working with diaspora charities, and making fashion more accessible through inclusive events and workshops. She reflects on her time with the Fashion District’s Evo Fashion programme and the British Fashion Council’s low-carbon initiative, highlighting the challenges and rewards of growing a purpose-led business.Jennifer concludes with advice on conscious consumption, the importance of small actions, and the need for more brands to center community, inclusivity, and honest storytelling.Anciela: Website I Linkedin I InstaMili Tharakan: Website I Linkedin I Insta I Buy me a coffeeResourcesEvo Fashion - a four-month experiential support programme for emerging brands and fashion technology businesses. It will help you to integrate sustainability into every aspect of your business, taking a holistic approach to business strategy and focusing on supply chain sustainability, ethical working standards, channels to market, and investment readiness. Deadline: 4th August 2025Low Carbon Transition Programme for SMEs report by British Fashion CouncilEllen MacArthurFashion RevolutionThe travels of a T-shirt in the global economy, book by Pietra RivoliOne Hundred Years of Solitude, book by Gabriel GarcÃa MárquezIf 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 UnsplashMusic: Inspired Ambient, Orchestraman
