HOW DID YOU GET HERE? FEATURING TRICIA CAREY OF LENZING!
Tricia Carey is an inspiring woman. Period. Not only does her infectious smile and friendly, approachable nature make her one of the nicest people to be around in the denim world, but her experience, knowledge of our favorite fabric and dedication to making the world a better place through sustainable production, is so defined that you’re immediately inspired. Tricia is the kind of person that you can’t imagine having a bad day or being ‘down’, because she’s just so positive. And it takes that positivity to dedicate your entire working life to your craft.
As Director of Global Business at Lenzing fabrics, Tricia’s impact on making your denim more environmentally friendly and less impactful on our planet, is significant. Ever seen the word ‘Tencel’ on a clothing label? Yeah, that’s Tricia. Through her work at Lenzing, we now have a fibre which is made from the wood pulp of Certified sustainable forestry trees & upcycled cotton scraps. Produced using recyclable and earth friendly ingredients, this is real change that is having a positive impact on the fashion world. We wanted to talk to Tricia to hear more about her journey and how she got to where she is today (admission: partly because we hoped we’d glean an ounce of her ambition and positivity for ourselves…) Read on to find out more about one of the leading women in denim world. Thanks, Tricia!
Name Tricia Carey
Occupation: Director Global Business Development for Lenzing
Location: New York City
IG Handle: @carvedinblue @trishcarey11
Website: www.carvedinblue.com
Who is Tricia Carey? (Please give a summary of who you are and what you do? Eg. What did you study and where? Where did you grow up?
I am Director of Global Business Development for Apparel for Lenzing. I’m based in NYC and my role is to promote the use of TENCEL™ Fibers by connecting supply chain partners and brands. I have a daughter in college studying fashion and a son in high school. My husband is in finance and only wears TENCEL™ Denim!
I grew up in a small town, Binghamton, which is considered ‘Upstate NY’. At age 12 I learned how to sew and always liked the creativity of fabrics. This led me to study fashion buying and merchandising at The Fashion Institute of Technology and Marywood University. Since the industry has changed I have also continued my studies at Cornell and MIT for digital, strategy and innovation certificates. You can never stop learning!
What would you tell your younger self?
Never stop dreaming.
How long have you worked in the denim / fabric industry?
In 1994 started working in textiles when I graduated from FIT and I have never left since. I started marketing TENCEL™ Lyocell in 1998, when it was only in the market for 6 years and always had some connection to denim. Michael Kininmonth, Project Manager at Lenzing, and I started our own denim project around 2010 which was then formalized as a segment around 2015.
What is Lenzing? Tell us more about the company and it’s role within the industry?
The Lenzing Group is a performance materials company that turns CO2 and sunlight into highly functional, emotional and aesthetic products around the globe. We make fiber from trees, including LENZING™ ECOVERO™, TENCEL™ Modal, and TENCEL™ Lyocell. In 2017 we launched a new fiber technology TENCEL™ x REFIBRA™ Lyocell which up-cycles cotton waste to make a new fiber for circular textiles.
Tell us about your role with Lenzing?
There are two sides to my role at Lenzing. One is to oversee the denim segment globally and the other is marketing and business development for USA brands / retailers across all apparel areas. I find my role very rewarding because we have a diverse and talented team at Lenzing and some remarkable customers. It is a wonderful mix of creativity and project management. There are so many opportunities in the market today, especially with regards to the social and environmental impacts. We are truly in a decade of change, which will be accelerated by Corona crisis.
What does a typical working day look like for you?
I like to get an early start on my day with a workout and a quick touch-base with colleagues in Europe and Asia before getting to the office by 8:30am. The mornings are usually meetings with Europe and internal developments, while the afternoons I meet with customers. Prior to COVID19 I would travel for at least one week a month, but I expect there will be many changes in the post-pandemic world.
“ TENCEL™ x REFIBRA™ Lyocell up-cycles cotton waste to make a new fiber for circular textiles.”
Tricia Carey
What are your thoughts on the future of denim - where is it heading?
My response is different to two months ago. We highlight the Modern Definition of Denim and this current crisis will continue to shape global citizens, as well as the denim market. We are heading towards a massive change in an over-saturated apparel market. Businesses cannot go back to working the same ways and will have to change in order to thrive in the post-pandemic world. We cannot shut more than 1/3 of the world away for one or two months and expect people to be the same. Consumers will have different demands after the crisis as the seek safety, security, and comfort. New trends will emerge on digital experiences, season-less styles, and performance wear. Social distancing have led to new ways of connecting.
Tell us about your involvement in sustainability initiatives within the industry?
I first started to use the word sustainability in my presentations around 2007 when I initiated Lenzing’s membership with Organic Exchange, now Textile Exchange. I eventually joined the Board of Directors at Textile Exchange as Vice-Chair for four years. Recently I have shifted into projects with the United Nations to increase awareness around the apparel industry, as well as the Sustainable Development Goals. With my interest in circularity, I joined Accelerating Circularity Project as a board member. Education around sustainability is on-going as the topics evolve and more companies seek collaborative ways for change.
“ Businesses cannot go back to working in the same ways and will have to change in order to thrive in the post-pandemic world.”
Tricia Carey
What advice would you give to someone starting out on a similar career path?
I often give students the advice that retail is the best book. Watch people in store, study the messages online, and read the reviews to gain a perspective.
Are you working from home during the COVID-19 lockdown and if so how what methods are you using to stay positive?
I have been working from home for 3 weeks now and I much prefer the office. I am so touched by the outreach from the apparel community to see how we are doing in NYC and above all just want to make sure our team is safe. I stopped frequent news updates because it is too dismal. We had two projects launching during this time which we had to regroup. They are both related to sustainability so it is a good connection to our appreciation of nature right now. I go for a walk daily and even take some calls while walking our neighborhood. Some friends started a Zoom yoga class which keeps a mental balance. It is a treat to have everyone at home and now we have dinner together as a family every night. However, it is much better when I do NOT cook!
Favourite film / Netflix recommendations?
I recently saw Ford v Ferrari and highly recommend.
The thing you miss most about normal life right now?
I miss people, community gatherings, touching product, walking NYC streets, eating out, going places…
If you could buy any building and live there, where would it be?
I would like to buy a brownstone in Chelsea, NY, with a garden.
What’s your NY secret?
Well, I have so many! The best place for a summertime lunch is Bryant Park when you can walk upstairs at Bryant Park Grill for a table; go past the line outside. Skylark has an incredible view – rooftops provide the best perspective on life, liberty and libations. I am still a NYC tourist at heart.
Who should everyone be following on Instagram right now?
@carvedinblue of course…that’s our TENCEL™ Denim blog. We are celebrating 4 years now after 600 posts!
I also like @worldeconomicforum for information on Corona
What is the last text you sent or received?
I just received a text from my daughter with an article on influencers which she suggested I should read! We share articles as part of ‘home-schooling’ now and I learn just as much from her as she does from me!
You have a free day to do anything, what do you do?
Go to the beach, it’s the most relaxing place for me. Sunshine, hearing the waves, and feet in the sand.
Coffee or tea?
Tea…ONLY tea. Lipton preferred.
Bus, Train or Taxi?
Taxi.
Where is your favourite city?
I love NYC, but I am missing Amsterdam right now. I always enjoy visiting Amsterdam in April and seeing all the tulips.
What would you do if you won the lottery?
Start a foundation and keep my daily life.
What’s the first thing you do when you wake up?
Go to the gym or workout.
What jeans are you wearing right now?
Lucky Brand TENCEL™ Denim. I only buy TENCEL™ Denim or it’s undermining what I say.
Breakfast of champions?
Absolutely! Yogurt and granola.
How many languages do you speak?
Just English…although I tried Spanish and French in school.
Tell us one thing people might not know about you?
In High School I wrote a student column for the local newspaper. I guess that was foreshadowing to my blogging days now.
The last item of clothing you bought?
I bought cargo pants from Banana Republic right before Corona closed the stores. Of course they are TENCEL™ Lyocell and super comfy for work from home days.
What does the future hold for Tricia Carey?
Immediate future I want to get myself, family and friends through Corona Virus healthy. In the long term, I want to be a force for good in the fashion industry both socially to empower the next generation of women in the industry, as well as lower impacts with fiber to finish collaborations. Sometimes it is the kind little things that people remember more than the big ones.