Watch the full conversation between Andrea Ferris and Fashionista Editor-in-Chief Dhani Mau exist fashionista network.
CiCLO CEO and co-inventor Andrea Ferris is shaping the future of sustainable textiles with unwavering optimism. It all started with McDonald’s aprons.
Ferris was managing the fast-food chain’s uniform program across the U.S. when she learned about the environmental impact of synthetic materials like polyester, which sheds microplastics and takes centuries to biodegrade. She set out to find earth-friendly solutions, even though it required her to enter an industry she knew nothing about.
Photo&col;Courtesy of CiCLO
“I had no idea how difficult it was going to be,” Ferris, a former sociology major, told Fashionista editor-in-chief Dhani Mau in an interview (watch here!). “One person told [me and the CiCLO team]’I gave up on innovation…because it was too difficult to implement.
However, the CiCLO team is not giving up. They have developed a sustainable textile additive that, when added to polyester and other synthetic fibers, reduces the shedding of microfibers and makes the synthetic materials as biodegradable as wool. Today, CiCLO technology is widely used in clothing from brands such as Champion and Billabong, as well as home furnishings from brands such as Target and Amazon.
The CiCLO journey began in 2012 with what Ferris calls a series of “field trips,” including visits to composting centers and wastewater treatment plants to see first-hand the impact of synthetic fibers. By 2017, the team developed CiCLO, an environmentally friendly textile additive.
Photo&col;Courtesy of CiCLO
More than 20 years later, Ferris believes her lack of textile knowledge was a blessing, inspiring her to make a change. “Good ideas come from all over,” Ferris told Mao on Fashionista.com. “You don’t need to be an expert in the industry to break into this industry, or even to have an idea and implement it.”
Ferris entered the textile manufacturing industry with sheer determination and knowledge, knowing that strong relationships with mentors and a strong network can make the difference between one’s success or failure. “I had to rely on a lot of people to educate me, and people wanted to help. That’s what they did,” Ferris said. “Most people are good-natured.”
She also stressed the importance of personal communication with brand representatives. “Brands are just people we work with,” Ferris said. “I think they care about what they are creating and what they are releasing into the environment.” When brand representatives learn about the environmental impact of synthetic textiles, they are eager to improve their practices. Ferris hopes CiCLO will become the industry standard for polyester production and recycling.
Photo&col;Courtesy of CiCLO
“I hope everyone is very optimistic about the future,” Ferris said. “There’s a lot of doom and gloom out there. The news can be hard to read. The problems in the environment can be huge, but there are solutions.”
Ferris also discussed how CiCLO works with brands and manufacturers, the company’s long-term goals, her predictions for the future of textile innovation, and more. Watch the full interview here.
Hosted by The Fashionista Network powered by interactive media platform Fireside, the conversation gave viewers the opportunity to participate and speak directly with industry figures. Learn more about the Fashionista Network here.
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