Sevgin Sicim is a senior material leader and global expert in sustainable textiles with over two decades of experience spanning world-renowned brands and mills, including Levi Strauss Europe and C&A Europe. A Textile Engineer by training, with executive studies in Circular Economy and Sustainability Strategies, she has been instrumental in pioneering market-shaping projects that redefine the standards of sustainable materials and responsible sourcing.
Recognized by Rivet 50 in 2020 as one of the most influential figures in denim, Sevgin continues to inspire the industry through her consulting and strategic advisory work focused on responsible material innovation and circular transformation. In this conversation with Fashion Business Journal (FBJ), she shares her insights on scaling sustainability, the next evolution of materials, and Bangladesh’s growing potential in shaping the future of circular fashion.
Watch the Interview: Sustainability Only Works When It’s Measurable
FBJ: You’ve worked with iconic names like Levi’s, VF Corporation, and C&A. How has your journey across these brands shaped your philosophy of material innovation and sustainability?
Sevgin Sicim: I’ve worked across the full product cycle (from fabric mills to garment production), so I really understand how materials come to life. I started my career in Turkey on the supplier side. This gave me a strong technical base and a clear sense of what’s truly possible in fabric and garment manufacturing.
Then VF opened the brand door, and later, working with Levi’s and C&A in different roles gave me priceless experience — from a design-driven private brand to a large-scale retailer.
These very different cultures shaped my philosophy: sustainability has to live in every step of material innovation — not as a finish line, but as a way of thinking. Because innovation only matters when it scales, and sustainability only works when it’s measurable.
FBJ: You’ve led pioneering projects such as the Cradle to Cradle Gold-certified denim and 100% recycled cotton jeans. What were the biggest technical and strategic challenges in achieving those milestones?
Sevgin Sicim: I was part of the core team at C&A, leading the fabric part of the Cradle to Cradle Gold–certified jeans. The team was small but very dedicated. C&A was the first brand to make it happen in 2018 for denim jeans. Every part — fabric, chemicals, trims, production — had to be assessed and fully transparent.
Imagine, at that time LCA was just a theory. It took about a year and a half from idea to shop floor, working closely with strong supplier partners.
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Later, in 2022, 100% recycled cotton jeans were developed — a different kind of innovation. Few brands had done it before, but this project made it affordable and accessible for everyone. Partnering with a mill, the team developed the first 100% recycled cotton fabric, then added comfort stretch and recycled lyocell, combining circularity, comfort, and price in one product. Both projects proved one common thing: better products can be made at better prices.
Let’s link it with innovation; it starts with a creative idea, becomes a real product (a proud moment for the brand), and with time, it turns into the new normal in the marketplace.
FBJ: How do you see the next evolution of sustainable materials beyond organic and recycled cotton?
Sevgin Sicim: The next evolution is about regeneration and true circularity. We’ll see more bio-based and next-gen fibres made from waste — not just recycled cotton, but regenerated cellulose and bio synthetics. Textile-to-textile recycling is also evolving fast — science is catching up with ambition. Molecular recycling will be a key solution for many challenges ahead, and it’s already possible to separate cellulose and polyester from mixed fabrics. With digital traceability and data, sustainability will finally become measurable, not just claim-able.
FBJ: The denim industry often struggles to move from “pilot” to “mass adoption.” What’s missing for real change?
Sevgin Sicim: The problem isn’t ideas; it’s integration. We see great pilots everywhere, but real change only happens when sourcing, design, merchant, and business teams move together. It also takes full collaboration across the supply chain and full transparency at every step.
And this is not only a denim challenge; it’s more or less the same across all product categories. Innovation needs structure, shared standards, real data, and commercial commitment. That’s how innovation scales from pilot to mass adoption.
FBJ: With EU regulations on due diligence and circularity, what should suppliers do to stay ahead?
Sevgin Sicim: Suppliers need to move from being material vendors to true data partners. EU regulations now demand full visibility — from fibre origin to finished product. Building traceable systems, collecting material data, and digitizing every step are no longer optional. Those who can provide reliable, measurable data will stay ahead as CSRD and ESPR take shape. Transparency is the new strength, and sharing it digitally is becoming the new norm.
FBJ: You’ve worked extensively with global supply chains. How do you view the potential of Bangladesh to become a leader not only in volume but also in responsible material sourcing and circularity?
Sevgin Sicim: My very first visit to Bangladesh was back in 2001, and the evolution since then has been huge. The country built one of the most efficient manufacturing ecosystems in the world. Now it’s time to move from volume to value — combining that scale with responsible materials and real circularity. Bangladesh already has the infrastructure, the talent, and the mindset. What matters now is investing in innovation and people: that’s how Bangladesh can move forward.
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FBJ: Many factories in Bangladesh are already investing in certifications and water-saving denim technologies. What further steps do you think are needed for the country to move from “compliance-driven” to innovation-driven sustainability?
Sevgin Sicim: Many factories in Bangladesh are already doing great work — certifications, water-saving technologies, cleaner production. But sustainability shouldn’t rely only on brand collaboration; it has to be part of the company’s own core. Some suppliers are already leading this change and becoming role models for others. The next step is about mindset — investing in people, R&D, and stronger collaboration with fibre and chemical innovators. Because real innovation begins when sustainability becomes part of the company culture.
