Best Very Fair Productions Podcasts (2025)

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OTL #989: A Chicago TIF update, New local music with a worldwide influence, Previewing the Black Fine Art Faire 43:07

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3h ago43:07

43:07

Mike Stephen gets an update on the latest Chicago TIF numbers from Tom Tresser of the TIF Illumination Project, chats with local musician Carlo Basile about his local music with a worldwide influence, and previews the Back Fine Art Faire with Patricia Andrews-Keenan, founder of Pigment International.…

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OTL #988: How the Chicago area gets its news, Exploring the brain science locally, The Secret History of Lani Hall 43:03

4d ago43:03

43:03

Mike Stephen discusses the results of a new report on how Chicago gets its news with Medill professors Tim Franklin and Stephanie Edgerly, gets a preview of some upcoming local events about the brain from Illinois Science Council founder Monica Metzler, and discovers the Secret History of Lani Hall.By Mike Stephen

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OTL #987: Trying to avoid an Illinois transit fiscal cliff, New “emergency” rules for prison communication 42:30

11d ago42:30

42:30

Mike Stephen discusses the work being done to avoid a transit fiscal cliff in Illinois with state representative Kam Buckner (26th) and John Greenfield, editor of Streetsblog Chicago. Then, John Howard Association executive director Jennifer Vollen-Katz discusses new “emergency” rules put in place to regulate communication with those who are incarc…

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OTL #986: A look into Illinois’ finances, The 100K Project wants you to run for office, The Secret History of Henry Threadgill 36:08

18d ago36:08

36:08

Mike Stephen learns about a new way to explore Illinois finances through the Fiscal Futures data hub with UIC professor David Merriman, gets an update on the 100K Project, and discovers the Secret History of Chicago avant-garde jazz musician Henry Threadgill.By Mike Stephen

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OTL #985: Chicago’s new public housing museum, The Chicago Immigrant Orchestra’s new music, The Secret History of Nancy Faust 42:43

25d ago42:43

42:43

Mike Stephen discusses the importance of preserving public housing history with Dr. Lisa Yun Lee, the executive director of the National Public Housing Museum, learns about new music from the Chicago Immigrant Orchestra with band co-director Fareed Haque, and discovers the Secret History of local stadium organist Nancy Faust.…

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OTL #984: Faulty DUI science, The push to pay student teachers in Illinois 36:40

1M ago36:40

36:40

Mike Stephen chats with Injustice Watch senior investigative reporter Maya Dukmasova about a local lab practicing faulty science that resulted in wrongful DUI convictions and then discusses the push to pay student teachers in Illinois with Percy Julian Middle School teacher Ashley Kannan.By Mike Stephen

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OTL #983: The future of rent stabilization in Illinois, XL Fest brings Chicago creatives together 35:13

1M ago35:13

35:13

Mike Stephen discusses the push for rent stabilization in Illinois with the Lift the Ban campaign coordinator Diego Morales and then learns about XL Fest, a local festival that brings Chicago creatives together, from Creative Cypher founder Troy Pryor.By Mike Stephen

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OTL #982: Joy Tea wants to wow Chicagoland, An Illinois civil rights history update, The Secret History of Billy Hinton 38:53

2M ago38:53

38:53

Mike Stephen talks the art of tea with Max Blessen, owner of Chicagoland’s Joy Tea, gets an update on civil rights history in Illinois, and discovers the Secret History of the versatile musician from Chicago Billy Hinton.By Mike Stephen

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OTL #981: The compact disc isn’t going quietly, Chicago before the Fire 39:47

2M ago39:47

39:47

Mike Stephen talks with Chicago Reader staff writer Leor Galil about the resurgence of the compact disc, then delves into the history of Chicago before the Great Fire of 1871 with Northwestern University economics professor Louis P. Cain, author of the new book Chicago Before the Fire: An Economic History.…

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OTL #980: The Urban Growers Collective, Edgewater Music Fest, The Secret History of Jimmy Rogers 44:52

2M ago44:52

44:52

Mike Stephen learns about the important work of Chicago’s Urban Growers Collective from herbalism conductor Rev. Kim Crutcher, gets a preview of the Edgewater Music Fest from Garrett Karp, executive director of the Edgewater Chamber of Commerce, and discovers the Secret History of Chicago blues guitarist Jimmy Rogers.…

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OTL #979: Clarendon Hills Kid, Share Our Spare provides community resources 40:11

2M ago40:11

40:11

Mike Stephen talks to Roger Day Bain, the author of a new book about growing up in suburban Clarendon Hills called Clarendon Hills Kid and a book about a very non-linear career path entitled Hardly Working: How I Found a Career and Kept My Soul. Then, we learn about the continuing great work of Chicago’s Share Our Spare and its quest to find new fu…

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OTL #978: The federal educational funding freeze in Illinois, Kate Fagan’s new music, The Secret History of Byron Gregory 40:53

2M ago40:53

40:53

Mike Stephen learns about the potential impact of the federal government’s education funding freeze on Illinois with Chalkbeat Chicago's Samantha Smylie, chats with Kate Fagan about her new music and upcoming Chicago shows, and discovers the Secret History of Chicago guitarist Byron Gregory.By Mike Stephen

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OTL #977: Inside Covet Oddities, The Freedom of Information Act’s limitations, Hope for Homes Day 44:42

3M ago44:42

44:42

Mike Stephen goes inside a new occult gallery in Logan Square called Covet Oddities, learns about the limitations of the Freedom of Information Act in Illinois with Better Government Association financial policy analyst Sophia Van Pelt, and highlights the great work of La Casa Norte's Hope for Homes Day initiative with executive director Jose Munoz…

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OTL #976: Chicago’s Teflon Softball looks for a home, Touring Pride Month, The Secret History of The Puta-Pons 44:16

3M ago44:16

44:16

Mike Stephen learns about Teflon Softball’s search for a practice facility from coach and founder India Steward, re-explores a local tour that highlights LGBTQ history, and discovers the Secret History of the late 90s/early 2000s rockers The Puta-Pons.By Mike Stephen

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OTL #975: Supporting Chicago’s arts nonprofits, Guiding Chicago’s youth towards entertainment careers 41:31

3M ago41:31

41:31

Mike Stephen discusses the importance of a healthy local nonprofit arts community with Vickie Lakes-Battle of IFF and Vanessa Sanchez of Villapalooza and then chats with Danita Patterson, founder of Destiny Outreach, about a new program aimed at guiding Chicago’s youth towards careers in the entertainment industry.…

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OTL #974: Is Chicago prioritizing environmental justice?, The Secret History of Fred Below 33:33

3M ago33:33

33:33

Mike Stephen gets an update on the struggle for environmental justice on the southwest side of Chicago from Anthony Moser, board president of Neighbors for Environmental Justice, and then discovers the Secret History of the local influential 20th century drummer Fred Below.By Mike Stephen

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OTL #973: A.I. in local journalism, Local immigrants are about to lose their healthcare 38:46

4M ago38:46

38:46

Mike Stephen discusses the ethical questions around using artificial intelligence in local journalism with Justin Kerr, publisher of McKinley Park News, and then talks with Enddy Almonord, director of the Healthy Illinois Campaign, about how 33,000 low-income Illinois immigrants are about to lose their healthcare.…

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OTL #972: Confronting student loan debt in Illinois, New music from AJ Rosales, The Secret History of The Radiants 43:09

4M ago43:09

43:09

Mike Stephen discusses the student loan debt problem in Illinois with Illinois Answers Project journalist Claire Murphy, gets the lowdown on new local music from AJ Rosales, and discovers the Secret History of the 1960s Chicago doo-wop group The Radiants.By Mike Stephen

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OTL #971: Civic engagement through the 100K Project, CPS selling vacant land, Labeling Illinois schools 39:52

4M ago39:52

39:52

Mike Stephen learns about recruiting candidates for local office through the 100K Project with lead organizer and steering committee member Tom Tresser and then gets an update on some local education issues with Chalkbeat Chicago bureau chief Becky Vevea.By Mike Stephen

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OTL #970: Books removed in local prison, New music from Ascendant, The Secret History of Chicago Music celebrates 20 years 39:33

4M ago39:33

39:33

Mike Stephen explores the removal of certain books in Danville Correctional Center with local author Vee Harrison, gets the lowdown on new music from the band Ascendant from vocalist and keyboard player Kael Mboya, and looks back on 20 years of The Secret History of Chicago Music in the Chicago Reader with its creator and author Steve Krakow.…

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OTL #969: The Chicago Lakefront: Protected, Yet Precarious, Second Glance Productions, Rob Moore’s new music 39:38

5M ago39:38

39:38

Mike Stephen discusses the future of Chicago's lakefront with Emily Reusswig, VP of Conservation at Openlands, talks about the importance of inclusion in media with Anthony Williams, the founder of Second Glance Productions, and gets the lowdown on new music from Chicago-based bluesman Rob Moore.By Mike Stephen

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OTL #968: Why everyone hates white liberals, The Secret History of Hot Mama Silver 57:02

5M ago57:02

57:02

Mike Stephen sits down with Kevin M. Schultz, chair of the history department at the University of Illinois at Chicago and the author of a new book called Why Everyone Hates White Liberals (Including White Liberals), and then discovers the Secret History of 1970s and 80s rockers Hot Mama Silver.By Mike Stephen

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OTL #967: The origins of gun violence in Chicago, Andy Madden’s new music 43:56

5M ago43:56

43:56

Mike Stephen discusses the origins of gun violence in Chicago with Jens Ludwig, author of the new book called Unforgiving Places: The Unexpected Origins of American Gun Violence, and then sits down with local musician Andy Madden about his new music and upcoming record release performance.By Mike Stephen

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OTL #966: Bonuses for City Council aides on the rise, Greenlight Family Services offering support, The Secret History of The Notations 39:33

5M ago39:33

39:33

Mike Stephen talks to Illinois Answers Project investigative reporter Alex Nitkin about how Chicago City Council staffers are getting more and more bonuses, learns about the impact of Chicago’s Greenlight Family Services with CEO Dr. Maria Nanos, and discovers the Secret History of the Chicago-based soul band The Notations.…

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OTL #965: Funding cuts for Illinois Humanities, The future of journalism 39:40

6M ago39:40

39:40

Mike Stephen discusses the potential impact of federal funding cuts for Illinois Humanities with executive director Gabrielle Lyon and Macomb-based singer-songwriter Chris Vallillo and then chats about the future of journalism with Prospect High School multimedia teacher Jason Block and seniors Claire Wynkoop and Kenny Munao while attending this ye…

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110) "Sustainability is Not Just a Buzzword" | LIVE Panel Recording 53:42

6M ago53:42

53:42

I'm so excited to be bringing you this special edition episode featuring the recording of our LIVE panel discussion in Chicago with Chicago Fair Trade and 3 of their business members. This was such a fun event to uncover the powerful stories behind these purpose-driven founders in Chicago and what ethically-made and sustainably-made mean in practic…

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109) How this Founder is Creating Solutions, Not Just More Stuff with Karen Poirier of Embrago 46:11

10M ago46:11

46:11

Fashion is rarely focused on fixing real problems for real people. But what if slow fashion did things differently? The thoughtfulness and attention to quality that is embedded into the slow fashion movement can be harnessed to make genuinely better products that make these options a no-brainer IF brands understand the true needs of their customer.…

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108) Inside the Decline of Sweater Quality — and What to Look for in a Durable Knit with Mari Medina 42:07

10M ago42:07

42:07

The declining quality of sweaters has been a big discussion in the past year, but is a reality we've been witnessing for the past couple of decades. But what exactly is so much worse about today's sweaters and what has been going on behind the scenes that's made them so bad? And importantly, how can brands do better? What should we be looking for i…

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107) The State of Circular Fashion with Cynthia Power 41:10

10M ago41:10

41:10

What is the state of circular fashion today? There has been a LOT happening with circularity in textiles in recent years, which is exciting but also means that it can be tough to keep up with and to discern what the most promising signs of progress actually are. So in today's episode, you'll hear from Cynthia Power about the state of circular fashi…

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S2E2 - Thank God It's Friday / Friday the 13th 1:01:17

10M ago1:01:17

1:01:17

No matter what day of the week it actually is, it's Friday in our hearts. Join Matt and Austin as they take a listen to the Ice Nine Kills track "Thank God It's Friday" and discuss the movie that inspired it, "Friday the 13th"! Does it capture the song better than the track before it? Does the Slasher classic hold up nowadays? Will Austin's mom act…

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106) Behind the Greenwashing of "Artisan-Made", the Art of Collaboration, and Sustaining Yourself as a Creative with Anjali Purohit 37:30

10M ago37:30

37:30

When you hear the term artisan-made, what do you think of? Do you assume that it means ethically made? Do you assume it's a certain aesthetic? Is it old-fashioned or contemporary? In today's episode, Elizabeth is speaking with Anjali Purohit, founder and creative director of the home and fashion textiles brand Studio Variously to unpack and demysti…

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S2E1 - The American Nightmare / Nightmare on Elm Street 58:23

11M ago58:23

58:23

THAT'S RIGHT, WE BACK Welcome back to Silver Screams and Horror Scenes! The only unofficial Ice Nine Kills podcast, where hosts Matt and Austin take a look at every track on the album The Silver Scream, and all the horror movies the songs are based on, to decide which ones capture the spirits of the films the best! On the first episode of Season 2,…

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105) The Blueprint for a Successful Circular Fashion Program 50:05

11M ago50:05

50:05

Is it possible to truly balance financial and environmental sustainability in circularity? This week's guest not only believes that it's possible to do both, but has proven it by architecting one of fashion’s most impactful resale programs, Worn Wear (at Patagonia). In this episode, she's sharing her lessons learned on everything from the type of r…

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104) How to Find & Build Slow Fashion Community 1:02:23

12M ago1:02:23

1:02:23

If you've been feeling discouraged, overwhelmed, or isolated on your sustainable fashion journey, it may be a sign to lean into community. In this episode, get tangible tips and encouragement to find or cultivate your own slow fashion community. The second part of this episode features a replay of Elizabeth's interview on the Ecommerce Maven Podcas…

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103) Where Does Slow Fashion Go From Here? 48:06

12M ago48:06

48:06

After what's been referred to as a "slow fashion recession", what's next for the movement? How can we come back stronger and make slow fashion so irresistible, that it becomes inevitable? Those are big questions, but that's what we're exploring in this podcast episode! I'd love to hear your thoughts & ideas on this too — find me at @consciousstyle …

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102) Leveraging Your Slow Fashion Skills To Make Money Beyond Products 37:16

1+ y ago37:16

37:16

For our first-ever Conscious Fashion Collective Membership panel discussion, we discussed a topic that is often taboo in the slow fashion space — money! We believe that financial sustainability is essential for creating a more just, and sustainable, fashion ecosystem with thriving businesses that care about people and the planet. 💰 WE DISCUSSED: Ta…

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101) Demystifying Financial Sustainability in Slow Fashion 51:20

1+ y ago51:20

51:20

Financial sustainability is essential for creating a more just, and sustainable, fashion ecosystem with thriving businesses that care about people and the planet. But how do you go about actually making money in this space, especially when you care about not overproducing? Money-making is a topic that is all-too-often taboo in the slow fashion spac…

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5 Key Pillars for a Net Positive Fashion Industry with Holly Syrett of Global Fashion Agenda (Bonus) 50:33

2y ago50:33

50:33

How can fashion take action right now for a net positive future? From climate and biodiversity to worker livelihoods and fair wages to overconsumption and textile waste, the gaps between where we need to be and where we are right now feel… vast. But in this episode, we're discussing ways that fashion act right now — like tomorrow — on 5 key pillars…

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Meat & Greet / Silence of the Lambs 1:00:04

2y ago1:00:04

1:00:04

Just when we thought we got out of Horrorwood unscathed, they drag us back in! Ice Nine Kills decided to drop a bonus track to cap off the Horrorwood Saga, so you know Austin and Matt had to get in on the action! Follow along as they dive in to the new track "Meat & Greet" along with the movie that inspired the song, "Silence of the Lambs" However,…

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100) What Would a Better Future for Fashion Look Like? 36:19

2y ago36:19

36:19

We have reached the 100th episode of the podcast! For the past 100 episodes, at the end of each episode we have asked our guests the same question: What would a better future for fashion look like, to you? This question is important, because it sums up exactly why the podcast exists in the first place — to unpack exactly what it will take to cultiv…

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99) 10 Lessons Learned From 100 Episodes 49:20

2y ago49:20

49:20

As you might have noticed, we are just one episode away from the 100th episode of the podcast! We're starting the celebrations early and changing up the usual format with this episode. Instead of interviewing a guest, this week we’re sharing 10 lessons we’ve learned from 100 episodes of the podcast that features interviews with some of the most ins…

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98) Should Resale Sites Ban Fast Fashion? 38:21

2y ago38:21

38:21

Is it green... or just greenwashing? This week, we’re sharing a recap of a few Green or Greenwashing topics we covered this season! Green or Greenwashing is a segment on the podcast where we evaluate if a certain sustainability measure is more green or whether it veers into more of the greenwashing territory. These Green or Greenwashing segments we…

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S1E12 - Farewell II Flesh / Candyman 2:11:24

2y ago2:11:24

2:11:24

They finally did it! Austin listened to a whole album! That's right, its the final track off the album "Welcome To Horrorwood" by Ice Nine Kills, so listen along as the guys dive into the track "Farewell II Flesh" along with the movie that inspired it, "Candyman"! They'll discuss where the closing track fits in along with their rankings of the rest…

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97) Overlooked Policy Opportunities for Sustainable Fashion with Kenya Wiley 47:07

2y ago47:07

47:07

Policy is an important lever in creating a better, more sustainable, and equitable fashion system. But if we only focus on policy that explicitly talks about the fashion industry and sustainability, we may be missing some opportunities. In today's episode, I'm chatting with fashion policy expert Kenya Wiley. Kenya is sharing behind the scenes on th…

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96) Unpacking Climate Emotions with Isaias Hernandez of Queer Brown Vegan 57:27

2y ago57:27

57:27

After learning about climate emotions, and seeing climate doomism proliferated in the media, Stella knew she wanted to have Isaias on the show to unpack this and understand how it's connected to the fashion industry. In this episode, Isaias Hernandez (who you might also know as @queerbrownvegan on social media) unpacks the complexity of climate emo…

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95) Carbon Offsetting: Green or Greenwashing? 34:53

2y ago34:53

34:53

Carbon neutral. Net zero. Carbon positive. You may have been seeing more and more claims like these lately from companies, including fashion brands. But in today's Green or Greenwashing episode, we’re diving deeper, beyond the surface of these claims, to see if they really can be trusted. Many of these carbon neutrality claims are asserted based on…

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94) Can Slow Fashion Businesses Scale Without Encouraging Overconsumption? With Mahdiyyah Muhammad 49:04

2y ago49:04

49:04

How can we reimagine the traditional role of fashion designers in a world filled with fashion waste? And how can we rethink our primary role as consumers in a way that allows us to become contributors to collective well-being instead? It’s no secret that we live in a world with far too much clothing. If we are to work towards a more sustainable fas…

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S1E11 - Ex-Mortis / The Evil Dead 2:38:46

2y ago2:38:46

2:38:46

Welcome BACK To Horrowood! After our little extended break, we are happy to be back, with not only our longest episode yet, but also with our first guest ever! Joining us in studio to talk all things Evil Dead and Ice Nine Kills, is the one and only Doug Shepard (SuperNormal: The Podcast), who was Matt's own personal horror movie guru while growing…

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93) What If Fashion Put Workers First? 24:46

2y ago24:46

24:46

What if fashion brands put garment workers first? What if a fashion brand set the prices they pay to their suppliers based on ensuring workers were making a living wage, rather than negotiating the prices as low as possible to maximize profits? This is part of implementing more responsible purchasing practices — purchasing practices meaning not how…

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92) From Extractive to Regenerative Fashion: Slow Growth, Climate Beneficial Textiles, and Cooperative Models with Laura Sansone of New York Textile Lab 41:17

2y ago41:17

41:17

What if designers could go all the way back to the source of the fibers their garments are made from? Many of fashion’s favorite fibers — and our favorite garments — begin on farms. From cotton to wool, hemp, and linen. But, often, designers are so far removed from the places where these fibers are produced. Bringing designers back to the source wo…