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 wool production actually looks like in practice. Traceability, animal welfare, land management, and the very real pressures farmers are under as climate volatility reshapes what’s possible season to season. Together, they unpack common misconceptions around merino, the nuance between different grades and types of wool, and why the language of “luxury” has to evolve when the natural world is no longer predictable.

This episode is a reminder that ethical fashion isn’t only designed. It’s grown. And the future depends on tighter collaboration between farmers and designers who are serious about building a supply chain that can last.

Takeaways

Fashion starts with the land, not just the finished product.
We must learn the names of those behind the materials we love.
Sustainability in farming means leaving the land better for future generations.
Traceability in the supply chain is crucial for ethical fashion.
Animal welfare is directly linked to the productivity of farming.

🌿 The Ethical Stitch
Hosted by Michelle Alleyne

Follow us for more threads of truth:
📱 Instagram: @theethicalstitch | @michellealleyneofficial
🌍 Website: michellealleyne.com

🎙️ New episodes drop weekly.
Stay smart. Stay stylish. Stay stitched in.

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 Basel's energy is a unique experience.
Shadow Forms invites viewers to slow down and reflect.
Sustainability should be a starting point in design.
Materials used in design can significantly impact health.
Fashion and interiors are interconnected in expressing identity.
Timeless design is preferred over fleeting trends.
Creatives have a responsibility to promote sustainability.
Honesty in discussing sustainability is crucial.
Collaboration can lead to innovative sustainable solutions.
Supporting conscious artists contributes to a better future.

🌿 The Ethical Stitch
Hosted by Michelle Alleyne

Follow us for more threads of truth:
📱 Instagram: @theethicalstitch | @michellealleyneofficial
🌍 Website: michellealleyne.com

🎙️ New episodes drop weekly.
Stay smart. Stay stylish. Stay stitched in.

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 episode pushes past awareness and into action, calling for real progress in recycling, circularity, and system level change that reaches fashion, manufacturing, policy, and culture at large.

The message is clear. Ethical practice is not a buzzword or a brand strategy. It is a responsibility. And the choices we make next will define what comes after sustainability as we know it.

Takeaways

The Ethical Stitch aims to create change in the fashion industry.
Conversations with guests have highlighted the importance of accountability.
Sustainability requires long-term thinking and endurance.
Ethics should be reflected in daily business decisions.
Community and mindfulness are essential in the slow fashion movement.
Transparency in sourcing is crucial for consumer trust.
Innovation in materials can redefine luxury in fashion.
Recycling must evolve as a core system in sustainability.
Listeners are encouraged to ask questions and experiment with ethical practices.
The future of fashion depends on bold experimentation and ethical courage.

🌿 The Ethical Stitch
Hosted by Michelle Alleyne

Follow us for more threads of truth:
📱 Instagram: @theethicalstitch | @michellealleyneofficial
🌍 Website: michellealleyne.com

🎙️ New episodes drop weekly.
Stay smart. Stay stylish. Stay stitched in.