016. Danielle Arzaga on Italian-made Denim, Biodegradability, and Direct to Grower Cotton Sourcing

In this week’s episode Danielle shares Candiani’s rich history as a family owned and operated denim mill, still operating in the same Italian town they started in back in 1938. Why, when so many of the Italian mills were shutting down or moving East, was Candiani able to stay in Italy? We get into their vertical integration, and how this has enabled their pioneering approach to sustainability. And we talk about why the company has opted for biodegradability over recycling, and the importance of sourcing the right cotton.

Want to dig deeper?

If you haven’t already seen it, Elizabeth Cline’s piece “The Controversy Over Cotton” is an all-too-rare long form story offering a nuanced perspective on an issue often reduced to over-simplified sound bites. The photos are stunning too.

Interested in learning more about direct-to-grower models for cotton? Crispin Argento is founder of the The Sourcery, a new platform connecting growers directly to brands.

Want to learn more about soil health? We learned a lot from this Wardrobe Crisis interview with Nina Marenzi. Which also led us this article in the Guardian by George Monbiot: “We’re Treating the Soil Like Dirt. It’s a Fatal Mistake, as Our Lives Depend on It”.

For a more uplifting take on soil health, check out the movie Kiss the Ground – available on Netflix.

Photo Lan Deng Quddu