The Thing About Cotton

Representing three generations in the cotton trade, Pierre engages us with some very interesting thoughts on the evolution of the cotton trade during his career.  Both his continued passion for cotton and his overwhelming optimism are testament to a career full of amazing experiences and enduring relationships that remind us how incredible this industry really is. The ICA presidency is in good hands with Pierre Chehab!Note:  Due to the ongoing conflict and related flight disruptions, the ICA's trip to India referenced has been postponed. 

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.

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.

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.

In this episode, hosts Eimear McDonagh and Camille Cluzel interview Eric Trachtenberg, Executive Director of the International Cotton Advisory Committee (ICAC). From its economic importance to its impact on livelihoods around the world, Eric makes a compelling case for why cotton should be recognized 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. 

Sustainability stories from Pakistan 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.

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.

In this episode, Joe Nicosia, Executive Vice President Louis Dreyfus Company and current Chairman of 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.

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. Tune in to hear about ICE’s role in the cotton value chain, the evolution of technology in cotton markets and how the exchange works with the wider cotton community.

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.To start this series we have a wonderful second generation cotton farmer from the Darling Downs, Southeast Queensland, Australia.  Lauren Roellgen introduces us to her family’s farming business and explains what growing cotton means to her.  We also hear about the incredible innovation and technology employed to produce some of the best cotton in the world and why Lauren decided to leave the corporate world to return to farming.

This week, we are joined by Eva Bille, a director a Hill and Knowlton specializing in European sustainability practices, to investigate the shifting EU political landscape and its impact on the cotton industry. Eva's insights into key aspects of the EU Green Deal and specific policy proposals, such as the Product Environmental Footprint (PEF) methodology, shed light on sustainability initiatives and environmental considerations. We discuss the intricate intersection between EU regulations and the cotton industry, emphasizing the importance of understanding the complexities of natural fibers and the benefits they offer. The conversation underscores the need for accurate data provision, traceability, and the potential unintended consequences of EU regulations on the global cotton industry. Hosts: Eimear McDonagh, Camille Cluzel, Katie Farren Additional Resources: -          https://www.makethelabelcount.org/ -          https://eplca.jrc.ec.europa.eu/EnvironmentalFootprint.html -          https://ica-ltd.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/CICCA-Letter-to-European-Council-2.pdf  Find out more about the Women in Cotton group and its upcoming events and initiatives on our website https://ica-ltd.org/women-in-cotton/ and LinkedIn Group https://www.linkedin.com/groups/8755927

In our inaugural episode, we welcome Kim Hanna, President of the International Cotton Association, to discuss the ICA’s role in the cotton industry, as well as her own remarkable journey to becoming the ICA’s first female President. Kim shares her experiences in navigating the primarily male-dominated industry and her efforts to promote diversity and inclusion through initiatives like Women in Cotton. Her vision as President focuses on fostering inclusivity, addressing industry challenges, and collaborating with brands and retailers on sustainability and traceability initiatives. The episode underscores the ICA's commitment to bridging gaps in the industry, advocating for fair trade practices, and sharing the positive impact of cotton production worldwide. Hosts: Eimear McDonagh, Camille Cluzel, Katie Farren Support the show and the Women in Cotton group by visiting our website https://ica-ltd.org/women-in-cotton/ and joining our LinkedIn Group https://www.linkedin.com/groups/8755927

NEW EPISODES EVERY FEW WEEKS, SUBSCRIBE TO LISTENBrought 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.

NEW EPISODES EVERY FEW WEEKS, SUBSCRIBE TO LISTEN 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.