Greater Good Textile Group to Host 3rd Annual Sustainable Business Forum

By Olivia Vanistendael

On April 5, the Greater Good Textile Group (GGTG) will host its third annual Sustainable Business forum, featuring local clothing companies TS Designs and Pamut Apparel.

Greater Good Textile Group is a student-run organization on NC State University’s campus that advocates for environmental and social ethics in the textile industry. GGTG’s mission is to create a club in which NC State students stretch their perspectives, thinking globally about ethical practices within the textile industry and acting locally to foster change.

For the third year in a row, GGTG will host the Sustainable Business Forum with the goal of exposing students, faculty and the Raleigh community to local industry leaders in sustainability. With its annual forums, GGTG aims to inspire a wave of environmentally and socially responsible graduates and consumers who will dedicate themselves to making positive changes in the textile industry. The organization aims to cultivate relationships between NC State students and innovative companies in the Raleigh area.

The inaugural forum featured a panel of speakers from American & Efird, Appalatch Sweater Company, New South Manufactory, TS Designs and Tumbling Colors. The panel was moderated by Mor Aframian from Redress Raleigh, a nonprofit with a mission of educating designers and consumers about the impact of the clothing they design and purchase. The GGTG’s second forum featured a smaller panel with speakers from New South Manufactory, TS Designs and Recover Brands moderated by Beth Stewart from Redress Raleigh..

This year’s forum will take an in-depth look at two businesses that serve as great examples of what ethical and sustainable textiles and apparel look like today. The program will include an open discussion between Kat Williford, CEO of Pamut Apparel, and Eric Henry, CEO of TS Designs, about their experiences in the North Carolina textile industry. Following the discussion, there will be time for Q&A and networking.

The Sustainable Business Forum was initiated by students who felt strongly that sustainable textiles and fashion should be more accessible on NC State’s campus. GGTG hopes to continue its annual Sustainable Business Forum for many years to come and is proud to have created this event for the NC State and Raleigh community.