After 10 years of working in #circularity, I have put together a list featuring 100 people and organizations, who I think you should follow. The list is being released across 25 posts until Christmas. I therefore like to think of it as an unconventional #zerowaste alternative to an advent calendar — packed with little stories and wisdoms as we close out this year.

In this seventh post, I am focusing on people and organizations pushing for more circularity in #textiles. In light of that, here are three brilliant #women and one wonderful team to follow, who are pushing for a circular economy within the textiles sector. I can only recommend looking into and following their work.

25) Anne Gillespie is an expert in sustainable textiles and ethical supply chains. She previously worked at Textile Exchange and Impact Alliance. Anne has led the development of a number of industry-defining standards – including the Global Recycled Standard. She has also worked to advanced impact-driven initiatives such as the “Leather Impact Accelerator” and credit-trading systems.

26) Immaculate Maliachi is the founder of Green Stitch Africa. She is driven by a “desire to restore dignity to women and the environment”. In line with this, Green Stitch Africa transforms textile waste into reusable products, while providing sustainable livelihoods to young women in Kenya. The team at the social enterprise has collected over 800kg of textile waste in 2025, and they intend to increase the amount to five tonnes by the end of 2026. Green Stitch Africa repurposes fast fashion to turn it into lasting fashion. The social enterprise cleans and repurposes waste textiles into travel bags, pouches, handbags, laptop sleeves, and other bags.

27) Nicole Bassett and Jeff Denby co-founded The Renewal Workshop, with the goal of tackling waste in the apparel industry. The Renewal Workshop cleans and repairs returned and damaged clothing for resale – thereby ensuring the clothing does not end up in the landfill. Nichole and Jeff set up The Renewal Workshop to help shift the apparel and textile industry from a linear model over to a circular model. By partnering with apparel brands, The Renewal Workshop enables product life extension and recommerce. Nicole and Jeff currently help different companies to transition over to circular business models.

28) Ola Bąkowska is the textile programme lead at Circle Economy. She is a designer who became an innovator and strategist. Through her work, Ola helps brands and organisations in the textile and apparel sector to scale circular practices. Ola also writes a blog that explores sustainable innovation within fashion.

🔔 Stay tuned to to see the whole list of 100 people and organizations to follow unfold on LinkedIn, our blog, and our app.