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 separate true sustainability from marketing.

This is a conversation about innovation with receipts, and what it really takes to bring a better material to market without losing the plot.

🌿 The Ethical Stitch
Hosted by Michelle Alleyne

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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 transparent.

Michelle zooms in on the worlds of haute couture and menswear, where craftsmanship, longevity, and intention can either become the gold standard or a beautiful distraction. She also calls out the era we’re leaving behind: vague claims, feel good branding, and sustainability theater.

This is a conversation about accountability.
About making fewer, better things.
About integrity being the new flex.

And as the culture shifts, Michelle is doing what The Ethical Stitch does best: amplifying the voices building the future with truth, not trends.

🌿 The Ethical Stitch
Hosted by Michelle Alleyne

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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 actually looks like when sustainability is the goal.

🌿 The Ethical Stitch
Hosted by Michelle Alleyne

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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

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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

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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

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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 department at Theory from scratch.
Sustainability in fashion is about legacy and invisible work.
Understanding the supply chain is crucial for responsible fashion.
Education is key to shifting mindsets in the fashion industry.
Circular fashion practices can help reduce waste.
Traceability in the supply chain enhances consumer awareness.
Creating a culture of care can drive growth in fashion businesses.
Wendy's new venture, Golden Collective, aims to share knowledge and foster sustainability.
Collaboration across departments is essential for effective sustainability efforts.
The fashion community is filled with unsung heroes making a difference.

🌿 The Ethical Stitch
Hosted by Michelle Alleyne

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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.
Kym Canter's journey from fur to BioFur reflects a significant shift in personal ethics and industry standards.
Faux fur, while better than animal fur, still poses environmental challenges due to petroleum-based materials.
Collaboration across the supply chain is crucial for innovation in sustainable textiles.
Educating consumers about sustainable materials is essential for driving industry change.
The concept of 'nature to nature' emphasizes the importance of circular fashion.
Emotional connections to fur can be preserved through high-quality alternatives.
The future of fashion relies on transparency and accountability from brands.
Innovators in sustainable fashion must be willing to learn and adapt.
Luxury fashion can evolve to be both beautiful and ethical.

🌿 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.