The Ethical Stitch with Michelle Alleyne

What if the people shaping what fashion makes us want could also change what fashion learns to value?

In this episode of The Ethical Stitch, Michelle Alleyne sits down with New York-based stylist, designer, and creative consultant Ela Erdogan, whose journey through fashion has been anything but conventional.

After studying at Parsons and apprenticing with Iris van Herpen, Ela launched DOBS New York, transforming scraps, discarded textiles, landfill-bound fabrics, and even food waste into deeply personal collections. What began as resourcefulness became a much bigger awakening about...

What happens when you see possibility in what fashion has already thrown away?

In this intimate episode of The Ethical Stitch, Michelle Alleyne sits down with sustainable fashion pioneer, educator, and entrepreneur Bridget Artise, founder of Born Again Vintage, House of BAV, and Sustainable Fashion Week US.

Bridget shares how discarded garments became the foundation of a career spanning more than two decades, and how reinvention, personal loss, teaching, and community shaped the work she continues to build.

The conversation explores the evolution of Born Again Vintage, the growth...

What if the story of America could be read through what we wore?

In this special July 4th episode of The Ethical Stitch, Michelle Alleyne reflects on America’s 250th birthday by looking at fashion not just as style, but as history, memory, labor, resistance, survival, and responsibility.

This episode asks a deeper question:

What has America been wearing for the last 250 years?

From homespun cloth and cotton to slops, disguise, feed sack dresses, wartime restrictions, denim, department stores, fast fashion, textile waste, repair, and reinvention, Michelle unpacks th...

What if the future of sustainable design was not found in a lab, but washed ashore?

In this solo episode of The Ethical Stitch, Michelle Alleyne reflects on a recent trip to the Dominican Republic, where seeing large amounts of seaweed along the coastline sparked a deeper conversation about fashion, climate, tourism, material innovation, and responsibility.

This episode explores sargassum, seaweed, kelp, algae, and the growing movement of designers, scientists, brands, and coastal communities asking a bigger question:

Is this waste, warning, resource, opportunity, or all of the above?

Michelle unpacks...

What if artificial intelligence was not here to replace fashion creatives, but to give them a faster, clearer, and more powerful way to bring their ideas to life?

In this episode of The Ethical Stitch, Michelle Alleyne sits down with Mandisa Foster, Head of User Enablement and Solutions Engineering at Raspberry AI, for a timely conversation about fashion, creativity, technology, sustainability, and the future of design.

Mandisa is a fashion industry veteran turned technology leader with more than 15 years of experience in design and digital transformation. Through her work at Raspberry AI, she helps fashion...

What if the biggest question about artificial intelligence is not whether it will replace us, but whether it can help us become more responsible humans?

In this episode of The Ethical Stitch, Michelle Alleyne sits down with Mikaela Ringquist, Director of Partnerships at Climate Change AI and New York Chapter Chair for Women in Cleantech and Sustainability, for a timely conversation about climate, technology, ethics, accountability, and the future we are building.

Mikaela brings a rare perspective shaped by diplomacy, corporate sustainability, grassroots organizing, sustainable fashion, and climate-focused artificial intelligence. Together, Michelle and Mikaela explore...

What if the future of fashion wasn’t about buying more, but buying smarter?

In this episode of The Ethical Stitch, Michelle Alleyne sits down with Kate Sanner, co-founder and CEO of Beni, the platform transforming how consumers discover secondhand fashion online in real time.

At the center of the conversation is a question quietly reshaping the entire industry:
If technology helped accelerate overconsumption, can technology also help us consume more consciously?

Kate breaks down how Beni is using AI and real-time fashion discovery to bring secondhand options directly into the online sh...

This episode is a little different.

Instead of a traditional interview, Michelle Alleyne takes you inside the room at the U.S. Leaders Forum in Washington, D.C., part of the U.S. Climate Action Summit hosted by the Climate Group. This is where policymakers, industry leaders, and decision-makers are not just discussing sustainability, but actively shaping what happens next.

What unfolds is a clear and urgent shift in perspective.

We are no longer facing a technology problem. The tools exist. Renewable energy is advancing. Infrastructure is evolving. The real...

On this special Earth Day anniversary episode, host Michelle Alleyne celebrates one year of The Ethical Stitch and the global movement it has become. Over the past year, the podcast has featured 36 conversations with disruptors, farmers, designers, innovators, and changemakers from around the world, expanding the conversation far beyond fashion into design, agriculture, energy, materials, and sustainability at large. This episode is a reflection on growth, a heartfelt thank you to the guests and supporters who made this first year possible, and an exciting look ahead at what is still to come, including new formats, deeper engagement...

What if your clothes could talk?

In this episode of The Ethical Stitch, Michelle Alleyne sits down with Donatela Bellone, founder and CEO of Alu, to explore how fashion is evolving from something we simply wear into something we experience.

At the center of the conversation is the rise of digital product passports, a technology that has the potential to transform every garment into a living, breathing story. Not just where it was made, but who made it, how it impacts the planet, and what happens next after you wear it.

Donatela breaks...

In this episode of The Ethical Stitch, Michelle Alleyne sits down with Swati Argade, a creative entrepreneur, textile expert, and operational strategist whose work lives at the intersection of culture, craftsmanship, and conscious business.

This conversation moves beyond surface-level sustainability and into something deeper.

Michelle and Swati explore what it really means to grow a creative business without losing its soul. From global textile traditions and the stories embedded in fabric, to the systems and structures required to scale responsibly, this episode challenges the industry to rethink how fashion is built.

They dive...

This week, we’re joined by the powerhouse duo behind Our Fashion Fix, Jo Ingham and Jo Ward, two industry veterans with the insight, candor, and credibility to say what others won’t. Together, they unpack the realities of fashion’s sustainability crisis, the limits of performative progress, and the kind of bold, responsible thinking required to move the industry forward. It’s an honest, intelligent conversation about circular fashion, transparency, and what real change actually looks like.

🌿 The Ethical Stitch
Hosted by Michelle Alleyne

Follow us for more threads of truth:
📱 Insta...

In this episode of The Ethical Stitch, Michelle Alleyne sits down with Stefano Mazzetti, co founder of Ohoskin, to explore what happens when waste becomes material, not just for fashion, but for shoes, automotive interiors, furniture, and more.

From Sicilian orange byproducts to resilient cactus fibers, Stefano breaks down how Oskin is building a bio based alternative to leather designed to perform in the real world, not just sound good in a pitch deck. Together, they get into the unglamorous but essential work behind next gen materials: development timelines, quality control, traceability, and the operational systems that...

Fashion weeks are loud. Flashy. Hypnotic.
 But behind the lights, the industry is being forced to answer a much quieter question.

What is sustainability when the cameras are gone?

In this episode of The Ethical Stitch, Michelle Alleyne breaks down what she’s seeing across recent fashion weeks in Europe, and what she’s watching for as New York Fashion Week approaches. We’re talking about the shift from sustainability as a buzzword to sustainability as a business practice. The kind that shows up in design decisions, supply chains, materials, pricing, and the willingness to be t...

In this episode of The Ethical Stitch, Michelle Alleyne pulls the curtain back on the “AI is neutral” narrative and asks the question nobody wants to sit with. If AI is powering the future of fashion, what is it costing the planet and the people who make the work?

Sparked by a classroom moment where students challenged the assumptions behind AI, Michelle digs into AI’s environmental footprint, the ethics behind rapid adoption, and the quiet reshaping of creative labor. From design and imagery to production and marketing, this is a real conversation about what responsible technology actual...

In this episode of The Ethical Stitch, Michelle Alleyne takes us all the way back to the beginning of the fashion supply chain. The place most people skip. The land.

She’s joined by Michael Taylor of Taylor’s Run, a legacy agricultural operation producing superfine merino wool, for a grounded conversation about what it really means to call a material “ethical.” Because before a garment becomes a garment, it’s a farm. It’s weather. It’s animals. It’s stewardship. It’s people doing physical work most consumers never see.

Michael breaks down what sustainable w...

In this episode of The Ethical Stitch, Michelle Alleyne sits down with artist Carl Pascuzzi to unpack his new collection, Shadow Forms. Together, they explore the emotional engine behind the work and what it looks like to create with intention in a world obsessed with speed and trend cycles. They also dig into the evolving overlap between fashion and interiors, and the responsibility creatives carry when it comes to sustainability, materials, and thoughtful production. The episode closes with a simple takeaway. Support artists and studios building the future with care.

Takeaways

Art...

In this episode of The Ethical Stitch, host Michelle Alleyne takes a sharp, unfiltered look back at the conversations that shaped 2025, not just in fashion, but across the systems that influence how we design, produce, consume, and dispose of what we make.

From industry disruptors and sustainability strategists to voices challenging business as usual, these conversations go far beyond trend cycles, digging into accountability, transparency, and the uncomfortable truths behind global supply chains, labor, materials, and scale.

Michelle does not simply reflect. She draws a clear line in the sand. As we move into 2026, this...

In this episode of The Ethical Stitch, Michelle Alleyne interviews Wendy Waugh, a pioneer in sustainable fashion. Wendy shares her journey from building the sustainability department at Theory to launching her own consulting firm, Golden Collective Incorated. The conversation delves into the importance of understanding the supply chain, the role of education in sustainability, and the need for a culture of care within the fashion industry. Wendy emphasizes the significance of traceability, circular fashion, and collaboration in creating a more ethical future for fashion.

Takeaways

Wendy Waugh built the sustainability...

In this conversation, Michelle Alleyne and Kym Canter explore the evolution of sustainable fashion, focusing on the transition from traditional fur to innovative materials like BioFur. Kim shares her personal journey in the fashion industry, the challenges of creating sustainable alternatives, and the importance of collaboration and education in driving change. The discussion highlights the emotional connections people have with fur, the need for transparency in fashion, and the future of materials that honor both aesthetics and ethics.

Takeaways

The dilemma of choosing between vintage and faux fur highlights the complexities of sustainable fashion.
...

In this episode of The Ethical Stitch, host Michelle Alleyne engages with Julia Souder, CEO of the Long Duration Energy Storage Council, to explore the critical role of clean energy in sustainability. They discuss Julia's journey into the clean energy sector, the importance of long duration energy storage, and its impact on climate goals. The conversation highlights innovative collaborations, challenges in sustainable energy solutions, and the need for equity in energy storage. Julia shares insights on the connection between energy and various fields, including fashion and design, and emphasizes the importance of community involvement in the energy...

In this episode, Michelle Alleyne sits down with Kate Williams for a grounded, eye-opening conversation about what real sustainability looks like when businesses choose to lead with intention. Together, they trace the origins and evolution of 1% For The Planet and unpack how a simple commitment to giving back has grown into a global model for collective responsibility.

Michelle and Kate dig into the brands that are doing it right, the ones proving that ethics and aesthetics don’t have to compete. They talk candidly about the practical steps small and midsize businesses can take right now, the po...

Summary

In this episode of The Ethical Stitch, host Michelle Alleyne welcomes Rachel Ceruti, the community director at FABSCRAP, a nonprofit organization dedicated to eliminating pre-consumer textile waste. They discuss the importance of community in sustainability, the challenges of circular fashion, and how Fab Scrap is redefining the narrative around textile waste. Rachel shares her journey from grassroots initiatives to leading a movement that emphasizes collaboration, creativity, and the emotional connections people have with fabric. The conversation highlights the need for action in sustainability and the role of consumers in driving change.

Takeaways

...

In this episode of The Ethical Stitch, host Michelle Alleyne explores the revolutionary impact of Patagonia on the fashion industry and corporate responsibility. She delves into the brand's origins, its commitment to sustainability, and its bold marketing strategies that challenge consumerism. The conversation highlights Patagonia's activism, including its recent ownership change aimed at prioritizing environmental values. Alleyne emphasizes the importance of accountability and the need for continued vigilance in ensuring that Patagonia's mission remains uncompromised as leadership evolves.

Takeaways

Patagonia was founded out of a deep respect for the planet.
...

In this milestone 20th episode of The Ethical Stitch, host Michelle Alleyne invites listeners to join her for a Sustainable Study Hall, a milestone moment filled with real solutions in action. Michelle reflects on the show’s journey from simply raising awareness to inspiring meaningful change across the fashion world.

She shines a light on innovators who are making sustainability part of everyday practice and reminds us that real progress happens when community, creativity, and commitment come together. This episode celebrates the changemakers leading the way and encourages listeners to get involved, share these stories, and be pa...

In this solo episode of The Ethical Stitch, Michelle Alleyne takes you right into the pulse of Climate Week NYC. Her first experience of the week was nothing short of transformative. From intimate panels to bold art activations spilling into the streets, Michelle reflects on the energy, urgency, and vision that defined the Green Apple.

She unpacks why climate action cannot wait, why inclusivity must remain at the center, and how corporations are being pressed to lead with real accountability. Woven throughout are stories of fashion’s evolving role in sustainability, new ideas in energy and ocean co...

In this episode of the Ethical Stitch podcast, host Michelle Alleyne reflects on the vibrant atmosphere of New York City, transitioning from the excitement of New York Fashion Week to the upcoming Climate Week NYC 2025. She emphasizes the importance of inclusivity in sustainability efforts, highlighting various events and discussions that cater to a wide audience. Alleyne encourages listeners to engage with the climate movement, stressing that it is not just a global initiative but also a personal journey that everyone can partake in.

Takeaways

In this conversation, Michelle Alleyne interviews Julia Dietmar, co-founder and CEO of Open Wardrobe, an AI-powered platform that aims to revolutionize the way we think about fashion and sustainability. They discuss the importance of mindful dressing, the role of technology in managing wardrobes, and how consumers can make better choices to reduce waste in the fashion industry. Julia shares insights on user demographics, the impact of AI on personal styling, and the significance of user testimonials in shaping the platform's development. The conversation emphasizes the need for a shift in consumer behavior to drive sustainable practices in fashion, ultimately...

Episode Summary

In this episode of The Ethical Stitch, host Michelle Alleyne sits down with Elena Lisman, founder of LOUÉ Studio, whose path from chemistry labs to couture ateliers is as bold as her designs. Together they dive into the power of plant-based innovation with materials like MIRUM®, the urgency of transparency and traceability in fashion, and what it really takes to redefine luxury. Elena shares how LOUÉ is setting a new standard for handbags that are equal parts exquisite and ethical, and why activism, collaboration, and community are stitched int...

Summary

In this episode of The Ethical Stitch, host Michelle Alleyne speaks with Alison Green, manager of operations and partnerships at Re/make, about the intersection of fashion, climate justice, and community engagement. They discuss the upcoming Wear Your Values Weekend event in New York City, the unique approach of Remake in uniting diverse voices for change, and the importance of collective action in transforming the fashion industry. Alison shares insights on the impact of grassroots organizing, the significance of youth engagement, and the successes of campaigns like the Pay Up campaign. The conversation emphasizes...

In this episode of The Ethical Stitch, host Michelle Alleyne sits down with Puja MJ, a bold sustainability advocate and climate justice leader from Mumbai. Their conversation dives into the Slow Fashion Movement and its powerful 90-day challenge that invites people to step away from buying new clothes and reimagine their relationship with fashion.

Puja brings the perspective of the Global South to the forefront, reminding us that the sustainability conversation is incomplete without the voices of those most affected by climate and labor realities. She shares how grassroots movements and community-centered action are shaping the future...

In this episode of Ethical Stitch, host Michelle Alleyne engages with Yayra Agbofah, founder of The Revival, a movement in Ghana focused on transforming textile waste into valuable resources. They discuss the impact of fast fashion on local communities, the importance of education and collaboration in sustainability, and share inspiring stories of individuals whose lives have been transformed through upcycling initiatives. The conversation emphasizes the need for accountability from fashion brands and encourages listeners to support sustainable practices.

Takeaways

The fashion industry is facing a significant waste crisis, particularly in...

In this episode of The Ethical Stitch, host Michelle Alleyne sits down with special guest Tsui Yuen-Pappas for a thought-provoking conversation on the evolution of manufacturing and the urgent need for sustainability in fashion. Drawing on her extensive industry experience, Tsui explores the groundbreaking innovations shaping the future of eco-friendly fabrics, from biodegradable materials to scalable, responsible production methods. Together, they unpack the realities of fast fashion, the role of certifications, and the power of collaboration to drive systemic change. With clarity and candor, Tsui underscores how intentional choices in sourcing and manufacturing can create a lasting, positive impact...

In this episode of The Ethical Stitch, host Michelle Alleyne engages with Dinie Van Den Heuvel, co-founder of Infantium Victoria, a children's fashion brand focused on sustainability. They discuss the importance of storytelling in fashion, the challenges of creating vegan and organic clothing, and the responsibility of designers in the industry. Dinie shares insights from her experiences at the Global Fashion Summit, her approach to sustainability in kids' fashion, and the need for a comprehensive overhaul of fashion education to embed sustainability as a foundational principle. The conversation emphasizes the importance of collaboration, creativity, and ethical practices in shaping...

In this engaging conversation, Michelle Alleyne and Muchaneta Ten Napel explore the intersection of fashion, sustainability, and technology. They discuss the importance of accountability in the fashion industry, the role of policy in driving change, and the need for collaboration over competition. Muchaneta shares insights from her experiences at the Global Fashion Summit and her work with LVMH, emphasizing the importance of understanding consumer behavior and the potential of AI in fashion. The discussion also highlights the significance of educating the next generation of fashion leaders and reframing waste as an asset for the Global South.

<...

This week on The Ethical Stitch, Michelle Alleyne speaks straight from the heart in a powerful July 4th edition that reexamines what freedom really looks like in America today.

With raw honesty, Michelle reflects on the current political climate, recent policy shifts, and how they’re impacting real people—including her own family. This isn’t about party lines—it’s about people. And in a time when division feels louder than unity, she challenges us to return to compassion as our most radical act.

Tying personal truth to professional purpose, Michelle explores how fashion—like society...

Soft Revolution: Chloe Grant’s Mission for Ethical Intimates

🧵 Episode Summary 

In this episode of The Ethical Stitch, host Michelle Alleyne sits down with fashion disruptor and eco-intimates designer Chloe Grant to unzip the layered world of ethical lingerie and sustainable swimwear.

Together, they thread through the real talk behind greenwashing, textile waste, and the tiny culprits—microplastics—hiding in your underwear drawer. From natural fibers to designing for disassembly, Chloe breaks down how thoughtful design can be sen...

🎙️ Episode 7 – Couture with a Conscience: Moon Chang’s Planet-First Aesthetic

This week, The Ethical Stitch spotlights a truly provocative voice in sustainable luxury fashion: designer Moon Chang, the mind behind the fashion label Moon Chang NY.

From developing designs for NASA (yes, that NASA) to crafting genderless faux-fur couture that challenges everything we know about fashion, Moon is shaking up the industry with bold storytelling and a conscience-first mindset. Her work is raw, sculptural, emotional—and always rooted in s...