From Farm to Fashion: How Natural Fibres can Accelerate the Circular Economy

Holly Ho is a senior-management level marketing and communications professional bringing over 16 years of experience and expertise in public relations, branding, content creation, qualitative research and marketing. She has been with The Woolmark Company on a full-time and consultant basis for over 8 years, and is currently its Greater China Senior Manager, Marketing Communications and Sustainability. Having been based back in Hong Kong since 2019, Holly’s experience spans across the three continents of Asia, Europe and North America, with a keen understanding of the nuances in the Greater China market. With a Master’s Degree in Global Fashion Supply Chain Management, and a published academic paper on sustainable supply chain management in the Journal of Fashion Marketing and Management: An International Journal, Emerald Publishing LTD., Holly has also recently completed a Circular Economy and Sustainability Strategies short course at the University of Cambridge Judge Business School, as well as an Advanced Executive Diploma in ESG Strategy and Innovation for Net-Zero at the HKMa Global Centre for ESG Education & Research. These days, she continues on her quest to empower global textile and fashion supply chain stakeholders in optimising their best practices, reduce their environmental footprint and create positive change from the inside out.

Lisa Griplas is a strategic communicator and sustainability leader with close to 20 years’ experience in the fashion and textiles industry. She brings deep knowledge of the wool industry’s end-to-end value chain and a strong belief in the power of natural fibres to drive meaningful, positive change. Her work sits at the intersection of sustainability, storytelling and systems thinking – championing the role of wool and other natural fibres within a circular economy. Passionate about the value and co-benefits that nature can bring to the fashion and textiles sector, she helps brands, growers, and global stakeholders turn complex ideas into clear, compelling narratives that resonate.

My Sustainability Goals for 2025 

• Position natural fibres – especially wool – as more than low-impact materials: frame them as enablers of climate-positive land management, biodiversity gains, and rural livelihoods.
• Advocate for a cultural reset around clothing use: one that prizes care, repair, and longevity over novelty.
• Bridge gaps between fibre producers, brands, scientists, and policymakers—helping co-design solutions that close the loop.

Leo is a sustainability professional with a Master’s degree in Analytical Chemistry and over a decade of experience in the Testing, Inspection, and Certification (TIC) industry, specializing in the fashion and textile sector. His diversified roles encompass strategic business development with a strong focus on innovative sustainability solutions for global clients, provision of technical advisory services and constant expertise sharing on sustainable fashion and industry best practices.

Driving sustainable transformation in the textile industry, Leo has led impactful ESG initiatives as Technical Services Manager at SGS. He has driven projects that promote the adoption of recycled and bio-based materials to mitigate plastic pollution, enhanced circularity through biodegradable and compostable solutions, and developed traceability programs that reduced supply chain audit redundancies. His deep understanding of global sustainability regulations enables enterprises to meet their ESG goals and drive meaningful environmental impact effectively.

My Sustainability Goals for 2025:

• Promote Circularity in Textiles: Encourage the textile industry to adopt circular economy principles by using certified natural and recycled fibers – such as organic cotton and recycled wool – to reduce reliance on fossil-based materials.
• Drive Decarbonization Through Innovation: Advocate for increased incentives and funding from both public and private sectors to support low-carbon technologies and sustainable innovation in textile manufacturing.
• Empower Sustainable Transitions: Foster collaboration among businesses, policymakers, and consumers to accelerate the shift toward eco-friendly practices across the industry.