Charles Ross
Charles Ross is a textile specialist based at the Royal College of Art in London; he has taught Performance Sportswear Design to the next generation of Outdoor Industry designers for over two decades. His mantra is “Sustainability through Longevity.”
OpinionISPO has all the magic ingredients – so why not the footfall that celebrates the pulse of the industry?
Having missed Outdoor by ISPO last summer and just heard negative comments about it, I wasn’t sure what to expect at ISPO Munich in early December. However, even before the show started, my schedule was already full (in fact, overfull) for the first two days, so I was only able ...
OpinionBefore we sell more new stuff – can we do something about ‘broken’ waterproof shells?
The linear business model of this industry is to make-sell-disown product. This is not the much-heralded circular business model frequently spoken about. The facts are that the industry makes the most profit by selling stuff. If a product gets returned under warranty, it is often easier just to replace it ...
OpinionDay 0: Textile Sustainability Class 101
A deep dive into sustainability took center stage at the Functional Fabric Fair, fostering collaboration and solutions for the outdoor industry.
OpinionDoing the Right Thing: Perhaps the search for new loses sight of the horizon
Charles Ross discusses the shift towards PFC-free chemistry, the industry’s role in environmental impact and how brands can refocus for sustainable change.
OpinionMaterials Matter: The Textile Exchange conference delivers what is required from an NGO
Textile Exchange gathers global experts to advance material sustainability, tackle recycling challenges and address overconsumption in textiles. OIC columnist Charles Ross was in Pasadena and shares some insights.
OpinionPerformance Days: Moved Up to Another Level?
3,838 people came through the doors to Performance Days in late October 2024, the two-day ingredient sourcing event at Messe Munich last week. The event in March of this year had a 2,999 footfall – which was a show record attendance in itself. At a time when some shows are ...
OpinionFunctional Textiles Shanghai: Getting the buzz back to what shows offer
FTS brings key sports and outdoor textile players together for dynamic discussions, highlighting innovations in sustainable materials.
OpinionEOS 2024: Particularly good, but are we our own worst enemies?
At the 2024 European Outdoor Summit in Cambridge, leaders reflected on sustainability achievements, emphasizing the need to celebrate industry successes more often.
ArticleSo what’s additional at Performance Days this October?
Performance Days in October will showcase exciting new features, workshops on sustainability, and innovations in sportswear and outdoor gear.
OpinionThe waterproof jacket: What the outdoor industry should focus on
OIC’s columnist Charles Ross explores the evolution of waterproof jackets, highlighting the balance between performance and sustainability in the outdoor industry.
OpinionWhat’s in the diary: Which events are worth attending?
Readers who have followed this column for a while will know I have a slightly different incoming channel of information than most in the outdoor industry. Some of this information is valuable, while some is too off-topic to be applicable. This is the feedback I receive. Although I am an ...
OpinionGorpcore – the new Athleisure?
Those of us who have been in this industry since the last Millennium will remember the switch to professionalism in the 1990s when the company founders brought in business specialists to develop their brands. Outwardly, this meant that production was relocated to the Pacific Rim, but it was also the ...
OpinionRecap: OTS 2024 Sustainability Breakfast
The British Outdoor Trade Show summer event has copied the principle of the European Outdoor Group’s (EOG) gathering on the second morning of the show to get interested people in the same room to focus on a subject. Whereas OutDoor by ISPO has migrated to the whole reach of the ...
OpinionPurpose; Passion; Profit – what counts most?
Those students who I have taught know I am a fan of Malcolm Gladwell – someone I first met in person 26 years ago in Colorado. Best known for his Tipping Point and also Outliers books, I always recommend Blink as an important text to read. The latter is about ...
OpinionOpinion: (CSR) Standards – Worth the effort?
Ana Kristiansson prompted a lively debate on LinkedIn around “Are Certifications Bullsh*t?” and it has been interesting to follow the multitude of comments on the platform. Ana is one of the good guys, and the post highlighted that not everything is that straightforward. Perhaps my main conclusion is that everyone ...
OpinionThe bad reputation of the textiles industry: Are we ever going to get rid of the misconceptions?
Our columnist Charles Ross comments on EOG’s recent announcement that the first project funded through its Impact Accelerator Fund (IAF) initiative will focus on improving access to renewable energy in Taiwan and will be led by an organization called Act Renewable.
OpinionCorporate social responsibility - could this be a way to reduce staff fluctuation?
There has been a culture change towards employment in my lifetime: no longer are workers expecting jobs for life. The change has already happened but is sparking something greater with those affected. My graduating students realize they need work skills and know that a period of attachment with a brand ...
OpinionAccessories at Performance Days: It is the little things that make the difference
In terms of ingredient sourcing, the brand names associated with a product can tell a lot about it. If a jacket is made from Gore-Tex, you know that it is using some of the best materials (which usually means the item has a higher price point). The same association is ...
ArticlePerformance Days: Why to turn up to “The Future of Polyester: Beyond the Bottle”?
The ingredient sourcing show Performance Days returns to Messe Munich on March 20-21, but is it worth attending? The easy answer is YES! Hopefully, this article by our expert Charles Ross will enlighten you as well.
OpinionDesign: This Industry’s most underused superpower?
In the run-up to the Performance Days in Munich, our author Charles Ross is wondering whether we might be overlooking the most obvious solution to our problems…
