- This event has passed.
Panel Discussion/Moderated Conversation at the 2024 Textile Society of America Symposium
November 14, 2024 @ 11:15 am – November 19, 2024 @ 12:45 pm
Join us for a Panel Discussion/Moderated Conversation at the 2024 Textile Society of America Symposium titled “Shifts and Strands: Rethinking the Possibilities and Potentials of Textiles”.
Panel Discussion will take place on November 14, 2024, 11:15 am to 12:45 pm EST.
The Symposium will be held virtually on Zoom from November 12-17, 2024.
NALA will host a Panel Discussion: The re-emergence of the North American fiber flax industry: An opportunity to re-think.
Fiona Barrett, Kristina Foley, Leslie Schroeder, and Angela Wartes-Kahl “The re-emergence of the North American fiber flax industry: An opportunity to re-think”
North American Linen Association (NALA) has assembled a diverse group from different backgrounds so that they can give their perspective from their experience and focus. There are farmers, academics, and artisans, all with a different focus in a united goal of creating a North American Linen industry.
The two main themes would be ruptures and repair.
The first questions will revolve around the notion of rupturing with the existing European industry. Is it possible? Is there an opportunity to do things differently? Is it possible to be completely independent? If things can be kept, what should be kept? If things are broken, or unsuitable, how can we ensure that we do not become that in the future?
The second theme will cover the theme of repair and will broadly explore the following problem. We, who are involved in the sustainable textile movement are in a bit of a bubble. We all agree with each other, and want to achieve the same things. The problem is this. Is it more beneficial to our movement, and to the planet to serve our community, or to broaden it and reach others?
Here is a practical example. Which has more impact? Expanding the fibershed movement, and bringing on more small producers? Or convincing the major producers to do better, and practice a more sustainable form of agriculture?
NALA is a 501(c)6 trade group with the explicit mandate “to advance sustainability and resilience in the organic agriculture, bast fiber, textile and fashion industries.”
Each individual, as well as each business involved are known for their ESG policies, whether they be sustainability initiatives or diversity and inclusion policies, or both.