September 2, 2025
Episode 11: The Future of Natural Fibres – Dalena White, Make The Label Count
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 to the global stage. Our guest, Dalena White, 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. In 2016, Dalena took on a global leadership role as Secretary General of the International Wool Textile Organisation (IWTO) based in Brussels -the world’s authority on wool standards, representing 26 countries and every stage of the wool pipeline. Dalena is also co-spokesperson of the Make the Label Count (MTLC) 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. This is an in-depth, inspiring conversation about sustainability, innovation, and the future of natural fibres.
July 3, 2025
Episode 10: Alison Ward, CEO of CottonConnect
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.
June 5, 2025
Episode 9: Antonia Prescott, Managing Director and Editor at Cotton Outlook
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.
April 28, 2025
Episode 8: Eric Trachtenberg at ICAC : The Case for Cotton as a Global Public Good
From its economic importance to its impact on livelihoods around the world, Eric Trachtenberg (Executive Director of the International Cotton Advisory Committee) makes a compelling case for why cotton should be recognised as a global public good. The conversation covers the potential of cotton to drive sustainable development, foster innovation, and empower communities—while also debunking some of the most common myths and misconceptions about cotton production and its environmental footprint. Whether you’re new to the topic or a seasoned cotton advocate, this episode offers fresh insights into the global cotton conversation.
February 26, 2025
Episode 7: Women, Cotton & Sustainability: Pakistan’s Path Forward
In this episode of The Thing About Cotton, our hosts, Eimear McDonagh & Camille Cluzel, explore how sustainability in Pakistan’s cotton industry is being driven by innovation, industry collaboration and, most importantly, the empowerment of women. They are joined by sustainability expert Rebecca Owen from Better Cotton and Iqra Inam, Head of Sustainability at Sapphire Textiles, for an insightful discussion on the evolving role of women in cotton, the intersection of local farming with global ESG goals and the importance of transparency in the supply chain. Tune in for a fascinating conversation on how Pakistan is weaving sustainability into its cotton industry, one bale at a time.
December 10, 2024
Episode 6: Farming Practices Series Part 2: Brazil’s Perspective with Fabiana Furlan
This episode introduces the second of our series on farming practices and looks at the world’s biggest exporter, Brazil. Fabiana Furlan has been working in the cotton business for over 14 years. She joined Scheffer in 2016 and is now the Head of Commercial, Finance and Sustainability in Brazil, responsible for sales and execution of Scheffer’s cotton, soybean and corn. In this episode, Fabiana explains some of the challenges faced for Brazilian cotton, touching on farming conditions, biodiversity, regenerative farming and much more.
November 5, 2024
Episode 5: The Role of Cotton Merchants with Joe Nicosia
Joe Nicosia, Executive Vice President Louis Dreyfus Company – Chairman, National Cotton Council, shares his insights on the crucial role of merchants in the ever-evolving cotton industry. Joe reflects on his background, the influence of strong women in his life, and the importance of diversity in business. We discuss the multifaceted responsibilities of a merchant, from the traditional role of managing price risks and ensuring quality, to the growing need for merchants to effectively communicate cotton’s sustainable narrative amidst competition from man-made fibers.
September 17, 2024
Episode 4: Jennifer Ilkiw, President of ICE Futures U.S.
Featuring Jennifer Ilkiw as she discusses her role as President of ICE Futures U.S., where the benchmark price of cotton is formed every day, and her 20+ year career in global derivatives and commodity markets.
September 3, 2024
Episode 3: Farming Practices Series Part 1: An Australian Grower’s Perspective with Lauren Roellgen
This episode introduces the first of our series on farming practices. These practices vary by region and country and are heavily influenced by climate, water availability and soil type, amongst other interesting factors.
July 23, 2024
Episode 2: Eva Bille, EU Policy Director at Hill & Knowlton Brussels
Eva discusses EU legislation, its impact on the global value chain, and concerns about PEF favouring manmade fiber over cotton.
July 23, 2024
Episode 1: Kim Hanna, ICA President
Learn about the history of the ICA and how the cotton industry is structured from the ICA’s first female President.
