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The Thing About Cotton

The Thing About Cotton

Written by: The International Cotton Association
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Brought to you by the International Cotton Association (ICA), join various hosts from the ICA’s Women in Cotton initiative and their guests as they explore the anatomy of the cotton value chain and bring awareness to the industry through highlighting female leaders and achievement. The views in this podcast belong to the individuals featured and do not in any way represent the views of the ICA.The International Cotton Association Economics
Episodes
  • 11: The Future of Natural Fibres – Dalena White, Make The Label Count

    11: The Future of Natural Fibres – Dalena White, Make The Label Count
    Aug 26 2025
    Today, we’re diving into the fascinating world of fashion, textiles, and sustainability with someone who’s seen it all — from the design studio to the factory floor, and now all the way to the global stage.

    Our guest, Dalena, has more than 20 years of experience in clothing design, textile manufacturing, merchandising, and fashion retail sourcing. She started out on the board of a clothing factory, before stepping into the wool industry in 2008, where she helped shape brand development for South African Merino wool — everything from styling and textile innovation to retail partnerships.

    Fast forward to 2016, and Dalena took on a global leadership role as Secretary General of the International Wool Textile Organisation, based in Brussels. That’s the world’s authority on wool standards, representing 26 countries and every stage of the wool pipeline.

    But that’s not all. Dalena is also co-spokesperson of the Make the Label Count initiative — where she and her team navigate the tricky world of European legislation, shining a spotlight on the real, science-backed data that proves natural fibres are truly sustainable choices.

    With her incredible background across fashion, manufacturing, and international trade, Dalena brings a unique perspective on the challenges — and the huge opportunities — facing the cotton industry today. So buckle up, this is going to be an in-depth, inspiring conversation about sustainability, innovation, and the future of natural fibres.
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    47 mins
  • 10: Alison Ward, CEO of CottonConnect

    10: Alison Ward, CEO of CottonConnect
    Jul 2 2025
    This episode looks at the transformative role of cotton in global livelihoods, particularly focusing on women's empowerment in agriculture. It explores the challenges faced by women in cotton farming, the impact of climate change, and the importance of sustainable practices. As CEO of CottonConnect, Alison shares insights from her journey – via cocoa – through to the cotton industry, the initiatives of CottonConnect, and the significant improvements seen through programs focusing on women in cotton. She emphasises the importance of sustainability investments having commercial value, critical to enabling brands and retailers to manage risk in their raw material sourcing. The conversation highlights the need for systemic change and the potential of regenerative farming to create a more sustainable future for cotton production.
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    49 mins
  • 9: Antonia Prescott, Managing Director and Editor at Cotton Outlook

    9: Antonia Prescott, Managing Director and Editor at Cotton Outlook
    Jun 5 2025
    In this informative episode, hosts Eimear McDonagh and Camille Cluzel interview Antonia Prescott, Managing Director and Editor at Cotton Outlook - the premier trade journal for the global cotton industry. Antonia shares how Cotton Outlook's A Index is built and its uses, the role of price benchmarks in today's markets, global trends in supply and demand and her own path to becoming the first women leading the organisation in its 50+ year history.
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    36 mins
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