Life & Work with Clementina “Sustainable Latina” Martinez-Masarweh of LA & SF

Today we’d like to introduce you to Clementina “Sustainable Latina” Martinez-Masarweh.

Hi Clementina “Sustainable Latina”, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I come from a lineage of resistance. Raised on a migrant camp, I grew up listening to my father share stories of marching alongside César Chávez and Dolores Huerta. Those early lessons in dignity, struggle, and land justice shaped everything I do today. My work isn’t just about sustainability—it’s about reclaiming what’s been discarded, from textile waste to cultural memory. Through DNA Sustainable Threds and platforms like Circular Culture Hub, Eco Tía, and Sustainable Latina, I create immersive experiences that center BIPOC communities in the climate conversation—because we’ve always been part of the solution.

As an artist, designer, and filmmaker, I’m creating a new genre of storytelling—one that lives at the intersection of fashion, environmental science, and radical imagination. Whether I’m making wearable art from post-consumer plastic or directing films like Upcyclers: Fashion’s Climate Frontliners and the upcoming dystopian feature Cyborg Human, my work holds up a mirror to the toxic systems we live in while offering a vision of what’s possible. I collaborate with scientists, educators, and cultural leaders to expose how fashion is not just a climate issue—it’s a public health crisis.

This work is heavy, and the path isn’t always easy. As one of the few Latinas navigating sustainability and independent film, I’ve faced burnout, funding roadblocks, and moments of doubt. But I keep going—because it’s bigger than me. I do this for my children and for future generations who deserve breathable air, safe clothing, and stories that reflect their truth. This isn’t just a business—it’s an ecosystem for change.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
There’s such a huge need right now to shift how people see sustainability—not as sacrifice, but as culture, creativity, and care for our future. That’s why I created the Circular Culture Hub—to bring people together in ways that feel joyful and rooted in community, not guilt. We launched at LA Climate Week and carried that momentum into SF Climate Week, where we featured BIPOC creatives, upcycled fashion, music, poetry, and film. Those moments worked because they were alive—people connected, they stayed, they asked questions, they wanted more. That’s what I want to duplicate: events that educate while celebrating.

But there are real challenges. As a woman of color and independent creative, I’m often navigating these spaces without major institutional support. Funding is limited, and building awareness takes time. Sometimes it’s hard to get people to see that this work is about all of us—our health, our economy, our identities—not just the planet. It takes extra effort to translate sustainability into something that feels personal, especially for communities who’ve historically been excluded from the conversation.

Still, the success of our events showed me that when you mix art, storytelling, and a sense of belonging, you can build bridges. People want to be part of something real. So that’s what I’ll keep doing—scaling up what worked, inviting in more voices, and continuing to make sustainability feel like something everyone gets to be part of.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
My work lives at the intersection of climate, culture, and creativity. I use discarded materials—textile waste, post-consumer plastic, even broken sports equipment—to tell stories that challenge systems and inspire change. Through fashion, film, and community engagement, I expose the hidden costs of what we wear and advocate for a future where style doesn’t come at the expense of our health, our planet, or our people. It’s not just about sustainability—it’s about reclaiming what’s been thrown away, including our histories and our voices.

Right now, I’m working on Cyborg Human, a dystopian art film that explores what happens when we ignore the toxic reality of the fashion industry—a visually stunning yet haunting look at how microplastics and chemical pollution could evolve the human body itself. This is more than storytelling—it’s a cultural wake-up call.

Additionally, I also started The Circular Culture Hub powered by DNA Sustainable Threds. CCH is a gathering space for anyone who cares about the planet and believes in the power of creativity to spark change. It’s where climate meets culture—through these events, panel talks and workshops that highlight art, education, music, and storytelling. We launched during LA Climate Week 2024, and carried that energy into SF Climate Week 2025, producing joyful, community-driven events that featured BIPOC artists, upcycled fashion, films, poetry, and live performances. It’s about bringing people together—not through fear, but through joy, abundance, and shared purpose. Because sustainability should feel like something we all get to be part of.

To learn more about my work and join my community go on Instagram at @DNAthreds, connect with me professionally on LinkedIn, and explore more of my writing and resources on Sustainable Latina, my Substack newsletter focused on climate, culture, and creativity.

Alright, so to wrap up, is there anything else you’d like to share with us?
What Comes Next: Culture, Technology & Circular Futures

What’s often left out of the sustainability conversation is the need for cultural repair. That’s why I created the Circular Culture Hub, a growing initiative powered by DNA Sustainable Threds that merges community, education, and creativity to make climate solutions feel personal, accessible, and culturally rooted. Through workshops, pop-ups, and storytelling events, the Hub serves as a space where frontline communities—especially Black, Brown, and immigrant families—can learn about circularity, detox their closets, and feel seen in the movement.

Alongside that, I’m developing Eco Tía—a Latina-led advice and education platform blending ancestral wisdom, mental health, climate healing, and joy. Think of her as your favorite tía who can talk to you about composting, microplastics, heartbreak, and the beauty of reclaiming your roots. Eco Tía will soon grow into a podcast and video series, spotlighting those working at the intersection of healing and sustainability.

And this is just the beginning. I’m currently exploring product development—tools or digital platforms that can help reduce textile waste while making it easier for people to plug into climate action, workshops, and local community efforts. Technology can help bridge the gap between awareness and action—especially for underserved communities that are often left out of the design of “green” solutions.

Why it matters: Climate justice isn’t just about the environment—it’s about access, culture, and collective care. That’s the future I’m building—where sustainability meets storytelling, and where everyone has a seat at the table.

Join me in building a resilient community that saves the planet, while saving your pocketbook.

What often gets overlooked in my work is how much emotional labor and cultural healing is embedded in everything I create. Yes, I work with waste—but it’s not just about materials. It’s about reclaiming identity, dignity, and stories that were discarded too. I’m not just designing garments—I’m mending generational disconnection. When I lead workshops with young Latinas or speak to students from frontline communities, I see how deeply this work resonates. It’s not just fashion. It’s liberation wrapped in fiber.

Also often left out is how I’m bridging climate work with mental health and joy—especially through platforms like Eco Tía. I created her as a nurturing, no-judgment space to talk about the messiness of sustainability, grief, joy, and identity. Climate anxiety is real. Eco Tía shows up with love, humor, and wisdom to say: you’re not alone, and you don’t have to carry it all.

And finally—there’s the tech innovation side. While rooted in storytelling, I’m actively exploring how digital tools can help communities engage with climate solutions more easily. From resource-sharing platforms to virtual workshops, I’m working toward building tech that serves culture, not just commerce.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://dnathreds.com/
• Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/DNAthreds
• LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/clementinamasarwehdesigner
• Other: https://substack.com/@sustainablelatina

Image Credits:

Michael Kirschner IG @michaelhruska3141 Model: Kellie Mozelle  Design: @dnathreds

Amy Aiello Photography www.amyphotochicago.com Model: Isaias Hernandez IG @queerbrownvegan Designs by Clementina @dnathreds