The Future of Textile Industry Must Be “Circular” – Interview With Cyndi Rhoades

Published by Mountainblog on 10/07/2016.

What is a circular resource model and what are the key hurdles preventing the outdoor industry from achieving it? Cyndi Rhoades explores some of the commercial benefits and real opportunities that a circular approach to sourcing and keeping non-rewearable textiles in circulation could bring for individual brands and the wider industry as a whole.

Cyndi Rhoades is the Founder/CEO of Worn Again, a London-based innovation company in development of ‘circular’ recycling technology for end of use textiles. She founded Worn Again in 2005 and has led the company from its’ early days in upcycling to its’ current technology developments. Over the years, Cyndi has worked on a series of ground-breaking products and projects with world leading designers and brands, including Virgin Atlantic, Eurostar and Virgin Balloon Flights. Most recently, the company has announced a collaborationwith H&M and Kering’s Sports and Lifestyles brand, Puma.

Interviews: Jessica Ceotto
Video shooting and editing: Andrea Monticelli

Founded in 2003, the European Outdoor Group is the trade organisation that represents and promotes the outdoor industry in Europe, underpinned by three core principles: Doing business in the right way; protecting nature; and encouraging participation in outdoor activities. The EOG now has a membership of over 100 brands, retailers, technology brands, national associations, and other organisations from the wider value chain.

Led by an executive team and board, the association uses the power of collaboration to work with its membership, the sector and other partners, on projects that address some of the major topics that face all of business. Pre-competitive cooperation in areas that include events like the European Outdoor Summit, market insights and data, CSR and sustainability, and public affairs, benefits the whole outdoor sector and gives it a loud and influential voice in the political and public domain.

> Find out more about the EOG here

The Summit is an initiative of the European Outdoor Group (EOG), the association set up to represent the common interests of the European outdoor industry.

As a pan-European organisation the EOG is uniquely placed to support the Summit, which will be held in alternate years in different countries. The national outdoor groups representing these countries will organise each Summit, allowing each event to assume its own identity, content and experience, but with the Summit remaining open to all.

www.europeanoutdoorsummit.com