Around the World in 80 Fabrics (ATW80F) is an educational non-profit that weaves people and fibers together for the planet. Through the documentation of responsibly and ethically made textiles, ATW80F raises awareness of the environmental, climate, human rights and overall health impacts of our petroleum-based fast-fashion wardrobes.
Around the World in 80 Fabrics poses the question, ”Can our clothing choices help repair and restore instead of destroy our dwindling natural and cultural resources?” The ATW80F team invites us to join their adventures exploring the wild diversity of natural fibers and the makers behind them. From the wisdom of diverse indigenous cultures to cutting edge innovations in recycling and biofabrication, they showcase and share the myriad win-win alternatives to fast fashion fabrics.
Join us on Saturday, October 15th at 1 pm US Eastern time for a conversation with the ATW80F team: Co-Creators, Tierney Thys and Carroll Dunham, and Outreach Director, Lesli Robertson.
Panelists:
Dr. Tierney Thys is a National Geographic Explorer, biologist, author, filmmaker and Research Associate at the California Academy of Sciences. As a scientist, veteran storyteller and Nat Geo Expedition expert for more than 20 years, she is committed to catalyzing biodiversity conservation through art and science. She serves on the science advisory boards for Think Beyond Plastic, Plastic Pollution Coalition and was a member of the TED Braintrust. Enamored with fabrics since a young age, she roams the globe continually impressed by the wealth of ingenious makers and textile communities creating renewable, ethical alternatives to fossil-fuel-based fast fashion.
A medical anthropologist, Buddhist chaplain, and social entrepreneur, Carroll Dunham has called Nepal home for thirty years and is founder of Wild Earth, a company that promotes Himalayan plant wisdom and provides work for women. National Geographic Expeditions leader, author of four books, she has worked on over 12 film projects for National Geographic, BBC, PBS, Channel 4. Fascinated by the natural history of textiles, with an anthropological storytelling lens, Carroll is interested in the interface of nature, culture and the people behind the fibers as we look to what we might wear as a species post petroleum.
Lesli Robertson is an interdisciplinary textile artist and educator. She has developed an array of globally based education programs and initiatives from higher education, to short term international engagement projects, and museum based community initiatives with partners such as the Smithsonian, Bhavana World Project, and Fulbright Specialist Program. Her passion for handmade textiles has led her to work with artisans across the globe. With a special place in her heart reserved for Ugandan barkcloth, she founded and runs the company Mekeka Designs.
The panel will be moderated by WARP member Judi Jetson, a fiberactivist who founded the nonprofit Local Cloth 10 years ago to help grow the fiber economy in the Blue Ridge Mountains Fibershed, headquartered in Asheville, NC. There will be ample opportunity for questions from those attending this free online event, and a recording of it will be available later on the WARP YouTube channel.
This event is free & open to all. Please complete the registration form to join us on Saturday October 15th, at 1:00 pm US Eastern Time.
