Ellie.Connect’s community manager Amélie takes the mic to talk about our North Star of sustainability, exciting platform updates for fall 2025, and how we’re supporting circular textiles through collaboration, knowledge and innovation.
For this final episode before the summer break, we sat down with Céline Delaey, CSR officer at Dassy, a leading producer of workwear. In her role, Céline is shaping and implementing a sustainability strategy from the ground up – a strategy that touches everything from product design to employee engagement.
Her journey is a refreshing reminder that change doesn't always come from the top – sometimes, it starts with one person who dares to stay persistent. In this conversation, we talk about the evolution of CSR at Dassy, the importance of a solid strategy and how getting everyone on board is key to real progress.
What happens to your clothes after you donate them? In episode 41 of Ellie.Talks, we explore the journey of secondhand textiles with Els Houttequiet, project manager at Herwin - the umbrella organisation for circular and social enterprises in Flanders. Together with Julie, Els delves into the challenges and opportunities surrounding reuse, recycling and export. From AI-powered sorting to moral dilemmas in the export chain, this conversation sheds light on the complexity and potential of giving textiles a second life.
In episode 40 of Ellie.Talks, we had the pleasure of speaking with Stefaan Verhamme, International Affairs Manager and Cluster Manager New Materials at POM West-Vlaanderen. With a deep passion for his home region and a strong commitment to innovation, Stefaan plays a pivotal role in fostering collaboration and circularity within the textile industry. In this episode, we dive into the importance of (international) partnerships, the role of the Circular Materials Center and why innovation is not just an option but a necessity for companies aiming to stay competitive in a rapidly evolving industry
In the 39th episode of Ellie.Talks, we sat down with Achille Mathot, the founder of Trosort, a startup leveraging AI-powered tagging and automation to transform the textile industry. Our conversation explored how digitalization can enhance sustainability and transparency in the industry, making sorting and resale more efficient. Achille shared his journey, insights into the challenges of the industry, and his vision for the future of secondhand fashion and textile management.
In the latest episode of Ellie Talks, we had the pleasure of speaking with Pieter-Jan Provoost, Director Energy Technology Club at Agoria, Belgium’s leading federation for the technology industry. Pieter-Jan has years of experience in fostering business communities, supporting companies in navigating complex industrial landscapes, and promoting Belgian technological expertise on the global stage. In this conversation, he shared his views on the role of business communities, the challenges companies face today, and what makes a community successful.
In this episode, Inge Nuyens, CEO of Dox Interior Concepts, shares her unique perspective on sustainability for the interior industry. While we often think about designing products with long lifespans, Inge reminds us that we must also adapt to a world that evolves at lightning speed. It’s all about balance: durable designs and future-proof materials that can transform as the world changes.
Welcome to episode 36 of Ellie Talks where we dive into the passion and drive of Charlotte Vandierendonck and Saartje Boutsen, co-founders of Studio D, and authors of their first book " Duurzaam durven doen” (Daring to Be Sustainable).
From personal journeys to creating impact, Charlotte and Saartje explore what it means to embed sustainability in business practices - and the challenges and rewards that come with it. Whether you're in HR, logistics, or a sustainability role, this conversation will inspire you to take practical steps toward a sustainable future.
Welcome to episode 35 of Ellie.Talks, your go-to source for cutting-edge discussions on sustainable innovation! Today, we're excited to dive into the fascinating world of sustainability communication, guided by insights from Delphine Van Hoecke, PR and communication expert, and founder of Loud and Clear. Delphine joined us for an enlightening discussion on how companies can craft their narratives around sustainability, avoid pitfalls like greenwashing, and communicate their efforts more effectively. Find the entire blogpost: https://ellieconnect.com/35-2/
Welcome to Episode 34 of Ellie Talks, your go-to source for cutting-edge discussions on sustainable innovation. In this episode, we're joined by Ruben Demets, Recycling Manager at BekaertDeslee, a global leader in sleep solutions, to explore the future of sustainability in the mattress industry.
Ruben sheds light on the complexities of mattress recycling, innovative product design for circularity, and the importance of collaboration to build a sustainable value chain. Discover how BekaertDeslee is tackling the challenges of recyclability, pioneering solutions for monomaterial mattresses, and working towards a global circular economy.
As we approach the end of August and the close of the summer holidays, we're excited to bring you a special edition of the Ellie Talks podcast—different setting, different host. In this "Ellie Team Edition," under the warm sun and nearly 30-degree heat, Florence, Ellie’s COO, and Amélie, Community Manager, discuss the key highlights and trends they've observed in the first half of this year. In this episode, they reflect on six valuable insights.
When visions and passion come together, you form a strong foundation for a long-term collaboration. This was exactly the beginning of our new collaboration with Roosmarie Ruigrok, who is the newest ambassador for the Ellie.Connect ecosystem.
You can discover Roosmarie's personal journey into the world of sustainable textiles and her drive to change and make an impact now in this bonus Ellie.Talks Podcast interview!
🎙️ Welcome to Episode 31 of Ellie Talks, your gateway to sustainable fashion and textiles. In this episode, we're joined by Anse Smeets, a circular economy researcher at VITO, a Flemish independent research organization in the field of cleantech and sustainable development whose goal is to accelerate the transition to a sustainable world. It is also the coordinator of the Horizon 2020 research project SCIRT. ♻️
Join us in this episode where we discover how the SCIRT project aims to make the fashion and textile industry more sustainable and circular by developing a True Cost Model. By focusing not only on the financial aspect but also on the socio-economic costs, the True Cost Model provides a more realistic image of the ‘true cost’ of a garment. The tool aims to facilitate stakeholders across the value chain in making more conscious decisions. 💰
✨ Five Highlights of the Episode:
👉 Importance of a Systemic Approach: To transition to a truly sustainable and circular fashion and textile industry, we must consider all aspects of the process, including the financial but also socio-economic factors.
👉Information is Key: To make conscious decisions, we require reliable and understandable data. The true cost model serves as an excellent tool that facilitates such decision-making.
👉Choose your Partners Wisely: Partners in a project must complement each other regarding knowledge and expertise. Only then can they provide real added value. 👉Sustainability is more than a buzzword: It's crucial to grasp the complexities of sustainability to take meaningful steps towards making the fashion and textiles industry more sustainable and circular.
👉Learn from others: The insights gained from a project like SCIRT must be embraced by others within the industry. Only by scaling up these learnings can a real impact be achieved.
Show notes: www.ellieconnect.com/31All Ellie.Talks Episodes: www.ellieconnect.com/podcast Interested to learn more about the Ellie.Connect ecosystem? Reach out via hello@ellieconnect.com #Podcast #Sustainability #Textiles #Fashion #Change #Inspiration
Welcome to episode 30 of our Ellie.Talks, your insights in the world of sustainable textiles and fashion. For this episode Julie sits down with Alby Roseveare, co-founder of Woosh. Woosh is a diaper service for daycare centers with a circular mission. Join us as we explore the motivations, challenges, and successes associated with building a circular business through reversed logistics in an industry where the concept of circularity is still in its infancy. Find the full blog post via www.ellieconnect.com/30
🎙️ New Ellie.Talks Episode: "Do Pants Grow on Trees?" 🌳Welcome to the latest episode of Ellie.Talks, your go-to destination for insights into the future of sustainable textiles and fashion. In this special episode, we sit down with Jasmien Wynants and Judith Thomas, two inspiring ladies, to explore their passion project: a captivating children’s book titled "Do Pants Grow on Trees? How is clothing being made and is it sustainable?"Join us as we delve into the world of "Changing the World with a Read-Along book" and gain personal insights from Jasmien and Judith about their journey in creating this impactful book. Discover the importance of collaboration, sustainability, and education, and learn about the numerous hurdles they overcame before bringing their vision to life.Highlights from this episode include:🌳 The crucial role of education in understanding sustainability in fashion.🌳How small actions can lead to significant changes in building a more sustainable future.🌳The power of self-expression in fashion and the freedom to choose what we wear.🌳The resilience and determination needed to overcome challenges on the path to sustainability.🌳and .. “No one is too small to be a hero.” Join us on this inspiring journey and never stop dreaming of a more sustainable world. Watch the full episode now!Don't forget to like, share, and subscribe for more insightful content on the future of fashion and textiles. 🌱✨Link to the full blogpost: www.ellieconnect.com/29Link to order the book: https://masjien.be/nl/product/groeien-broeken-aan-bomen/
In our newest Ellie.Talks, Lieve Vermeire, Sustainability Manager at Van de Velde, highlights the need to base sustainability decisions on facts, not assumptions.
Regardless of your industry or company size, this podcast is a wise investment.
This episode delves into the complexities of implementing sustainability and Lieve shares numerous insights that can benefit us all.
Get ready for a game-changing story in the rug industry! We are excited to introduce you to Jozefien Forton, the visionary founder and Circular Executive Officer of Maison Forton.
In this episode, Jozefien shares insights into the start of Maison Forton's story and the commitment to sustainability at every level of operation. From meticulous material selection to challenging the standards, Jozefien is realising her dream to build a sustainable rug company, step by step. 📰 You can also read the blog post here.
For this 26th, and last episode of our Ellie.Talks podcast in 2023, we had the chance to talk to Koen De Ruyck, General Manager of Purfi Manufacturing, dedicated to transforming waste into high-quality products.
Julie and Koen dive into the topic of pioneering the recycling of textiles, one of the key pillars to transform both the textiles and fashion industry towards a more sustainable future.
If there is one takeaway from this episode, let it be the following:
The time to act is now, the technology and know-how are here, so it is the moment to demonstrate the opportunities for recycling – Koen De Ruyck.
Curious to hear the story behind it? Listen, watch, or read all about it now via your favorite channels and connect with Koen and Purfi via www.ellieconnect.com.
📑 Read the blog post or access the video here.
In today's fast-paced world, industries are constantly evolving and innovating, and the textile industry is no exception. The competitive landscape in the textile industry is significant, with companies striving to stay one step ahead by adopting the latest trends, technologies, and sustainable practices. For this Ellie.Talks podcast episode, we had the honour to welcome Mr. Dirk Vantyghem, the Director General of Euratex. Euratex is the European Apparel and Textile Confederation that aims to boost competitiveness and sustainability in our industry at both the European and international levels. In this conversation, Julie and Dirk look at the complex subject of competitiveness and offer valuable insights into how to build a bright future for our industry. You can also read the blog post here.
Today, clean technology is at the forefront of addressing environmental and sustainability challenges. In this Ellie.Talks podcast episode, we had the pleasure of hosting Alexandra Vanhuyse, co-founder and managing director of Snowball. Snowball, located in Harelbeke, serves as a dynamic testing ground for large-scale prototypes, attracting environmentally conscious entrepreneurs like Ellie. In the conversation with Julie, Alexandra gives valuable insights into her journey in the cleantech sector, and emphasized the importance of entrepreneurship, innovation, and collaboration in tackling pressing environmental and sustainability challenges. You can also read the blog post here.