Circular Futures: Textiles, Innovation & Networking
What if reimagining textiles could unlock change across entire systems?
Welcome to the SoCal Circular Textiles Summit — where cross-sector ideas shape the future of textiles, the future of how we create, consume, and collaborate.
This is more than a conversation about fashion. It’s a catalyst for systems change — uniting designers, researchers, students, entrepreneurs, and sustainability leaders to exchange ideas, explore innovations, and spark cross-industry action.
📍 Join us on May 9 at the University of California, Irvine for a dynamic day of keynotes, panel discussions, demos, and networking.
Co-organized by recurvence, Sustainable and Just Future, UCI ANTrepreneur Center, Earth Boutique, and Curated by Juliette, this gathering offers a vibrant and collaborative space to explore emerging trends, share insights, and co-create a more circular economy.
Whether you're in design, supply chain, academia, or sustainability — this is your place to connect, learn, and lead change.
Program Timeline
2:30 PM – 3:00 PM
Registration & Welcome
🎤 Master of Ceremonies:
Derek A. Sabori – Founder, The UnderSwell – School of Understanding
3:00 PM – 3:30 PM
🌟 Keynote
A Holistic Vision of Circular Textiles: Weaving Systems Change
Aditi Mayer – Climate Activist, Storyteller & Founder of The Artisan Archive
*Networking break
3:45 PM – 4:30 PM
💬 Panel 1 – From Advocacy to Industry: Building a Culture of Circular Responsibility
Sarah Forsythe – Merchandising Compliance Associate, Tillys
Jeff Forrest – Founder & Designer, Stacklab Object Project
Courtney Barriger – Eco Fashion Creator & Author, Refashion Workshop
Caroline Deshayes - Senior Consultant, WSP
Moderator: Isabelle Bart – Startup Coach & Founder, Impact Innovator
*Networking break and Sew & Repair Workshop by Andi Hayes and Brennan Kraus.
4:45 PM – 5:45 PM
💬 Panel 2 – The Fabric of Change: Innovation Driving Circularity
Nyleve Henry – Co-founder & CEO, Looks For Lease Technologies Inc.
Jay Huynh – Creative Director, Circular Fashion LA
Jessie Kosak – Professor, ASU FIDM
Katia Hardgrave – Project Manager, Celery Design (former Project Manager, Design for Transformation (D4T, Biomimicry Institut)
Moderator: Kevin Meredith – Founder, 4th Sector Innovations
*Networking break and Sew & Repair Workshop by Andi Hayes and Brennan Kraus.
6:00 PM – 7:00 PM
💬 Panel 3 – How Can We Scale Circular Systems?
Margaret Frericks – Director of Foundations and Sustainability, Goodwill SoCal
Brett Blalock – Founder & CEO, Infinfty
Joey Pham – Founder & CEO, Eorte
Moderator: Noah Last – Scientific Partnerships Manager, NIST
7:00 PM – 8:00 PM
✨ Closing Remarks & Networking Reception
Reserve your spot now – limited seats available
This event is free for students worldwide and UCI affiliates, with a hybrid format to ensure global access and knowledge-sharing. General admission is donation-based to keep the summit inclusive while supporting our organizers and speakers.
🎓 Free for students worldwide and UCI affiliates
💸 Donation-based admission for the general public
📖 Learn more: https://circulartextilessummit.org
📲 Follow us: @circulartextilessummit