What the Denim Community is Grateful for This Year
Despite the ongoing challenges of the pandemic era, there is plenty to be thankful for in 2021. Vaccine rollouts made it safer to gather in person again, allowing us to reconnect with friends, family and colleagues. Events came back, travel resumed, and life returned to some semblance of normalcy.
In the denim industry, 2021 ushered in new innovations that will help to reduce the environmental impact of denim. Specifically at TENCEL™, this year has marked a number of new fiber launches that bring the denim industry one step further in its sustainability journey.
As the U.S. prepares to celebrate Thanksgiving this Thursday, we asked some members of the denim community to reflect on what they are most thankful for this year—whether personal or professional.
Wishing everyone a very Happy Thanksgiving!
Sylvia Gonzales, director of fabric and trim, 7 for All Mankind
I’m thankful that we’ve all grown and become closer within our communities of home and work. Thankful to continue to be working in an industry I love so much, to have met new work friends and grown closer with old friends that I’ve lost connection with, but with Covid, it has brought us all closer. It’s allowed us to open up fresh dialogue with compassion and grace. My wish is for all to live within this space of gratitude and humbleness.
Wishing you a wonderful Thanksgiving filled with love and endless laughter.
Christine Rucci, Godmother NYC
I would probably have to say that I am most thankful for my health and family. Those things have never felt more important.
But when I say family, I not only mean my biological family. There is my denim family, which includes clients, colleagues, vendors, partners and everyone who helps to stitch together not only the jeans but the community that is so vast and yet so tightly woven personally and who care about this planet we live on. What 2020 took away gave us a better appreciation in 2021.
George Lasky, Lucky Textiles
I’m thankful for my health and having a wonderful family with four granddaughters, the oldest of whom just started college, and the three others in high school.
I’m thankful for living in a great country who currently is going through a difficult time.
I’m thankful that we are no longer involved in a war and hope we stay at peace.
I’m thankful for having friends like you, Tricia Carey!
Kelly Wolfson, vice president sales and product management, Soorty Enterprises Pvt. Ltd.
Truly thankful for being able to leave our life in San Francisco and move to Vermont to be here for family.
Daren Abney, senior business development manager, Lenzing Fibers, Inc.
Gratitude is the best way for me to describe 2021. I have my health, healthy family and friends, and an exciting career in textile sustainability that lead me to Lenzing this year—all things I’m extremely grateful for! So Thanksgiving this year is a particularly special reflection after the chaos of the last few years, knowing there’s more to come.
Gessica Rummo, senior manager, fabric R&D and wash – denim and woven bottoms, AEO Inc.
I’m thankful we’ve been able to work through all the constant changes in the past year and half and come out the other side with a more balanced way of doing work and home life than before with hybrid! I’m thankful my friends and family are in good health, and I cannot wait for 2022 to hopefully be back to traveling and weddings and a bit more normal!
Michelle Branch, founder, Markt&Twigs Inc.
This last year has provided so many opportunities for us to deepen existing bonds and develop surprising new ones. I really do love our community!
Beyond that, what I’m most thankful for this year is the proverbial light at the end of the tunnel.
While we are still probably far from the end of this mess, we are also a far cry from where we were this time last year.
It’s a huge relief to be past the initial shock and dreaded unknown that we collectively experienced at the beginning of this thing.
The fact that we now know what this is and have a viable plan for keeping safe is something I’m beyond thankful for.
Murtaza Ahmed, co-founder, SFI and executive director, Artistic Milliners
As we approach the one-year anniversary of the launch of Star Fades International, I am thankful for the opportunities we have had during this unprecedented time. I am thankful for our customers—both existing and new—as well as for our supply chain partners across the industry who help us to help our customers meet the needs of their customers. And I am thankful for the teams at SFI and at AM, who make our success possible.
Katie Tague, vice president marketing and sales, Artistic Milliners
This year, I am most thankful for support. Like no other year I can remember, my support system both personally and professionally has made a huge difference! It has dramatically enabled me to do my very best and achieve more than I ever have before! It’s amazing what is possible when you know people are cheering you on and there for you!
Tricia Carey, director of global business development denim + Americas, Lenzing Fibers, Inc.
The past two years have provided the pause to reflect on priorities in life and act on them.
“As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.” – JFK
I am so very thankful that my husband cooks the turkey!