Ellie.Talks: Recent Episodes
Ariadne Innovation
When visions and passion come together, you form a strong foundation for a long-term collaboration. This was exactly the beginning of our new collaboration with Roosmarie Ruigrok, who is the newest ambassador for the Ellie.Connect ecosystem.
You can discover Roosmarie's personal journey into the world of sustainable textiles and her drive to change and make an impact now in this bonus Ellie.Talks Podcast interview!
🎙️ Welcome to Episode 31 of Ellie Talks, your gateway to sustainable fashion and textiles. In this episode, we're joined by Anse Smeets, a circular economy researcher at VITO, a Flemish independent research organization in the field of cleantech and sustainable development whose goal is to accelerate the transition to a sustainable world. It is also the coordinator of the Horizon 2020 research project SCIRT. ♻️
Join us in this episode where we discover how the SCIRT project aims to make the fashion and textile industry more sustainable and circular by developing a True Cost Model. By focusing not only on the financial aspect but also on the socio-economic costs, the True Cost Model provides a more realistic image of the ‘true cost’ of a garment. The tool aims to facilitate stakeholders across the value chain in making more conscious decisions. 💰
✨ Five Highlights of the Episode:
👉 Importance of a Systemic Approach: To transition to a truly sustainable and circular fashion and textile industry, we must consider all aspects of the process, including the financial but also socio-economic factors.
👉Information is Key: To make conscious decisions, we require reliable and understandable data. The true cost model serves as an excellent tool that facilitates such decision-making.
👉Choose your Partners Wisely: Partners in a project must complement each other regarding knowledge and expertise. Only then can they provide real added value. 👉Sustainability is more than a buzzword: It's crucial to grasp the complexities of sustainability to take meaningful steps towards making the fashion and textiles industry more sustainable and circular.
👉Learn from others: The insights gained from a project like SCIRT must be embraced by others within the industry. Only by scaling up these learnings can a real impact be achieved.
Show notes: www.ellieconnect.com/31All Ellie.Talks Episodes: www.ellieconnect.com/podcast Interested to learn more about the Ellie.Connect ecosystem? Reach out via hello@ellieconnect.com #Podcast #Sustainability #Textiles #Fashion #Change #Inspiration
Welcome to episode 30 of our Ellie.Talks, your insights in the world of sustainable textiles and fashion. For this episode Julie sits down with Alby Roseveare, co-founder of Woosh. Woosh is a diaper service for daycare centers with a circular mission. Join us as we explore the motivations, challenges, and successes associated with building a circular business through reversed logistics in an industry where the concept of circularity is still in its infancy. Find the full blog post via www.ellieconnect.com/30
🎙️ New Ellie.Talks Episode: "Do Pants Grow on Trees?" 🌳Welcome to the latest episode of Ellie.Talks, your go-to destination for insights into the future of sustainable textiles and fashion. In this special episode, we sit down with Jasmien Wynants and Judith Thomas, two inspiring ladies, to explore their passion project: a captivating children’s book titled "Do Pants Grow on Trees? How is clothing being made and is it sustainable?"Join us as we delve into the world of "Changing the World with a Read-Along book" and gain personal insights from Jasmien and Judith about their journey in creating this impactful book. Discover the importance of collaboration, sustainability, and education, and learn about the numerous hurdles they overcame before bringing their vision to life.Highlights from this episode include:🌳 The crucial role of education in understanding sustainability in fashion.🌳How small actions can lead to significant changes in building a more sustainable future.🌳The power of self-expression in fashion and the freedom to choose what we wear.🌳The resilience and determination needed to overcome challenges on the path to sustainability.🌳and .. “No one is too small to be a hero.” Join us on this inspiring journey and never stop dreaming of a more sustainable world. Watch the full episode now!Don't forget to like, share, and subscribe for more insightful content on the future of fashion and textiles. 🌱✨Link to the full blogpost: www.ellieconnect.com/29Link to order the book: https://masjien.be/nl/product/groeien-broeken-aan-bomen/
In our newest Ellie.Talks, Lieve Vermeire, Sustainability Manager at Van de Velde, highlights the need to base sustainability decisions on facts, not assumptions.
Regardless of your industry or company size, this podcast is a wise investment.
This episode delves into the complexities of implementing sustainability and Lieve shares numerous insights that can benefit us all.
Get ready for a game-changing story in the rug industry! We are excited to introduce you to Jozefien Forton, the visionary founder and Circular Executive Officer of Maison Forton.
In this episode, Jozefien shares insights into the start of Maison Forton's story and the commitment to sustainability at every level of operation. From meticulous material selection to challenging the standards, Jozefien is realising her dream to build a sustainable rug company, step by step. 📰 You can also read the blog post here.
For this 26th, and last episode of our Ellie.Talks podcast in 2023, we had the chance to talk to Koen De Ruyck, General Manager of Purfi Manufacturing, dedicated to transforming waste into high-quality products.
Julie and Koen dive into the topic of pioneering the recycling of textiles, one of the key pillars to transform both the textiles and fashion industry towards a more sustainable future.
If there is one takeaway from this episode, let it be the following:
The time to act is now, the technology and know-how are here, so it is the moment to demonstrate the opportunities for recycling – Koen De Ruyck.
Curious to hear the story behind it? Listen, watch, or read all about it now via your favorite channels and connect with Koen and Purfi via www.ellieconnect.com.
📑 Read the blog post or access the video here.
In today's fast-paced world, industries are constantly evolving and innovating, and the textile industry is no exception. The competitive landscape in the textile industry is significant, with companies striving to stay one step ahead by adopting the latest trends, technologies, and sustainable practices. For this Ellie.Talks podcast episode, we had the honour to welcome Mr. Dirk Vantyghem, the Director General of Euratex. Euratex is the European Apparel and Textile Confederation that aims to boost competitiveness and sustainability in our industry at both the European and international levels. In this conversation, Julie and Dirk look at the complex subject of competitiveness and offer valuable insights into how to build a bright future for our industry. You can also read the blog post here.
Today, clean technology is at the forefront of addressing environmental and sustainability challenges. In this Ellie.Talks podcast episode, we had the pleasure of hosting Alexandra Vanhuyse, co-founder and managing director of Snowball. Snowball, located in Harelbeke, serves as a dynamic testing ground for large-scale prototypes, attracting environmentally conscious entrepreneurs like Ellie. In the conversation with Julie, Alexandra gives valuable insights into her journey in the cleantech sector, and emphasized the importance of entrepreneurship, innovation, and collaboration in tackling pressing environmental and sustainability challenges. You can also read the blog post here.
"The achievement of many circularity and sustainability objectives depends on the digital transformation that dominates many companies. The technology available is fully capable of driving substantial progress in circularity. The real obstacle - resistance to disrupting established norms - can be overcome by evangelizing, collaborating, and demonstrating that change is a tangible and achievable goal." In this new episode of Ellie.Talks, Julie and Twintag CEO Alexander Carpentier explore the concept of digital circularity and the often untapped potential of technology in sustainable transformation. Another episode filled with invaluable insights for everyone in the textiles and fashion industry. If you can spare 40 minutes, this is a must-listen one! For more insights into Ellie's ecosystem, go to www.ellieconnect.com📰 You can also directly read the blogpost here.
Are you doing the right thing? Can you do better? Is there no better technology or capabilities available?
In this podcast episode, our guest Johan Verstraete, Vice President of Picanol Weaving Machines, urges everyone to challenge themselves and be open to new ideas and technological possibilities.
By sharing the concrete use case of Picanol, Johan shows how important the combination of technology and human assets is to make a positive and sustainable impact.
An episode full of valuable insights that can help any organization to become more efficient and sustainable!
📝 Read the blog post here.
The textile industry is considered one of the most chemical intensives, as chemicals are used everywhere in production.In this Ellie.Talks episode, Dr. Anna Lennquist, senior toxicologist at ChemSec, not only gives you a better understanding of chemical use in industry, but also gives you concrete tips and tools to help you move forward with clean chemistry. A must-listen episode for anyone working in textiles & fashion, looking to understand sustainability in all its dimensions. 📝 Read the blog post here.
We've had the privilege of interviewing over 20 inspiring guests on the Ellie.Talks podcast, each sharing their unique stories. However, there is one story that has yet to be told - the story of our very own founder, Julie Lietaer. Known as the local ambassador for circular textiles and fashion, Julie's entrepreneurial journey has led her to become the CEO of her family company, European Spinning Group, the creator of her "professional baby" #hackyourjeans, and founder of the startup, Ariadne Innovation, the company behind your favourite Ellie.Talks' podcast.In a special twist, we've turned the tables on our usual podcast host and had Florence, team member from the first hour at Ariadne Innovation, interviews Julie. If you're curious about Julie's journey and want to learn more about her experiences and insights, this episode is a must-listen!If you want to make an impact, you need to put your 'boots on' and take steps forwards, no matter how small they are, every step creates an impact. - Julie Lietaer📝 Read the blog post here.
Is the labor market empty or do you need to rethink the way you approach it? Tim Vannieuwenhuyse states that finding the right people does not require magic or luck, on the contrary, Tim invites us to rethink our approach and redefine our strategies to attract the right talent. Waak‘s WOW campaign is a powerful example of how investing in an honest and authentic employer branding strategy ensures sustainable growth for the company. 📝 Read the blog post here: https://ellieconnect.com/ep20/
We all know the word "innovation", but how many of us really know how to "innovate"? How do you put the word into practice or more often, how do you convince your company of the importance of innovation?
When asked Maurits Vandeputte, Innovation Manager at Valvan, he is very clear: you plan, you allocate resources and, most importantly, you stick to the plan. Innovation is the fuel for your organisation's future. For Valvan this has led to promising new technologies such as the Fibersort, the automatic book sorter, or the just-released Trimclean, Maurits' most promising innovation. One that will play a key role in the circular textile transition.
A highly recommended episode, for anyone who dares to dream and got NO when presenting a new (crazy) idea. This episode will not only inspire you to keep going, but will also give you concrete advice on how to approach innovation.
The blog post of the episode is available here!
EPR, Extended Producer Responsibility, also known as UPV in Dutch or REP in French, is probably one of the buzzwords of the past months. But, what is it exactly? Will it be the holy grail for circular economy and most important of all, what will be its impact on the companies? In this new Ellie.Talks episode, our guest Jo Van Landeghem, Quality, Safety and Sustainability officer at Creamoda, unravels the EPR for you. A must listen for everyone active in the textiles & fashion industry, looking for clarity, answers, and above all, concrete action points to prepare.
The blog post of the episode is available here!
For the first podcast episode of the year, we welcome Karla Basselier, to whom Fa Quix, our previous podcast guest, is passing the torch as CEO of Fedustria. With a pack of experience in politics and the diamond industry, Karla brings not only a fresh perspective but also a clear vision on how we can support our local businesses to play a continued key role in this beautiful industry.
An episode full of interesting insights, observations from Karla's first 2 months as CEO, some behind the scenes of Fedustria's plans for the coming years, and most of all lots of concrete tips that we can all work with to take steps forward.
You can find the blog post of the episode here!
For our final episode of 2022, Julie had the honour of having @Fa Quix, general manager of Fedustria as guest. With more than 40 years of experience in the sector, Fa sees a sector that is in constant evolution, with solid foundations, that has already swum through several turbulent waters.
“We shouldn't be afraid of the future of our industry. Our companies are lean & mean, with the right products, strategy and focus on sustainability and digital innovation, which will ensure they will once again thrive.”
Together, they bring a realistic, yet positive message to end the year with.
Find the blog post of the episode here!
Whether you are an SME or a large company, transforming your business from linear to circular does not come overnight. Once you’ve defined your circular vision, where do you start? Where are the quick wins and what are the main challenges to overcome?
For this 15th episode, we welcome Pieter Vanoosthuyse, business development manager for recycled polypropylene at Beaulieu International Group. One year ago Pieter was assigned the task to transform Beaulieu’s vision for circular plastics into a concrete action plan. One year in, Pieter has some very interesting learnings to share, not only on the importance of circularity in plastics but also on what kind of information and which partners you need for this transition
This 14th episode marks a special occasion, when this podcast airs we also launch Ellie 2.0: a new website, new features and memberships with MORE value to help you transform your organisation towards more sustainability, collaboration & digitalisation.
For this event, Julie is accompanied in the studio by Florence, the person behind the day-to-day operations of Ellie. Together they share 8 valuable lessons on how to build strong partnerships based on the experience of Ellie.Connect ecosystem.
Get ready to get inspired and informed on how to build ecosystems and check out the special launch offer for Ellie 2.0 to start transforming your organization today!
Find the full blogpost of this episode on www.ellieconnect.com/14
This 14th episode marks a special occasion, when this podcast airs we also launch Ellie 2.0: a new website, new features and memberships with MORE value to help you transform your organisation towards more sustainability, collaboration & digitalisation.
For this event, Julie is accompanied in the studio by Florence, the person behind the day-to-day operations of Ellie. Together they share 8 valuable lessons on how to build strong partnerships based on the experience of Ellie.Connect ecosystem.
Get ready to get inspired and informed on how to build ecosystems and check out the special launch offer for Ellie 2.0 to start transforming your organization today!
Find the full blogpost of this episode on www.ellieconnect.com/14
In the thirteenth episode of The Ellie.Talks' Podcast, your host Julie chats with Wouter De Broeck, Sustainability & Communications Manager at Alsico, a producer of workwear and protective wear. In this episode you'll deepen your overall understanding of the workwear industry, you'll get insights into the challenges faced, and even more, discover how you can leap forward by taking action and leading by example.
In this episode, Julie chats with Jolien Roedolf, business developer for social and circular entrepreneurship at Herwin, the sector federation for social economy. From her role, Jolien is always looking for new ways of collaboration to work towards more circularity. They deepdive into the topic from the view of social economy and discuss how this can be a driver for circularity. You can expect a fresh view on the topic of circularity, a lot of good book recommendations and concrete tips on how you start by defining a vision with an actiton plan and then act on this.
You can find a written recap of this episode and the key takeways here: news.ellieconnect.com/12
Dyeing fabrics is a very polluting process, but more and more cost-effective, resource-efficient and sustainable dyeing alternatives that are safe for people and nature are surfacing. But what are these innovative dyeing techniques? How can dyeing become more sustainable and how can we lower the true cost of colour? What are the challenges with developing these new techniques? And how do you ensure a circular product?
All very interesting questions with even more interesting answers!
For this we invited our guest Eva Engelen, sustainability and product manager at HNST Jeans.
You can expect of lot of industry insights, concrete tips & tricks and a dose of fresh inspiration to take action yourself.
Welcome to our very first podcast episode! This episode will be about family businesses and how you can implement change as the new generation! Family businesses are often different generations and different views, how can you deal with these differences? How do you keep the long term vision of the company whilst also adapting to the changing times? How to change the mindset to a more open, transparent and sustainable one? To find an answer to all of these questions, we have invited our special guest, Aurélie Maes from Maes Mattress Ticking. As the fourth generation in her family company, she has a lot of experience and expertise to share on this topic!Enjoy!