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Every piece of clothing has an end – but what happens after that? Most textiles end up as non-recyclable waste in incinerators or landfills. The reason: mixed materials, plastic, synthetic dyes. With CHARLE, I am pursuing a different path: 100% recyclable elastic bands, free of plastic, made from natural fibres. What we take from the earth should be able to return to it – without leaving any residue. Because recyclability is not a trend. It is the only future for a fashion industry that truly wants to be sustainable. In this article, I show why half-measures are not enough – and what we need to do differently if fashion is to become part of nature.

Sustainable fashion is on everyone's lips. Almost every label now has a green line, uses organic cotton or advertises with recycled materials. But what is really behind it? What good is the best cotton if plastic threads are invisibly woven into it?In this article, I explain why true sustainability doesn't start with fabrics – but with uncomfortable questions. I take you on my journey as a bridge builder in the fashion industry, as someone who never stops thinking ahead. Because real change doesn't come from trends – it comes from attitude.

As the founder of CHARLE, I didn't just design sustainable children's fashion – I also asked the seemingly simple question: ‘What's actually in elastic?’ The answer was shocking: plastic. But instead of giving up, I developed the world's first plastic-free elastic – and inspired an entire industry in the process.