Today we’re excited to be connecting with Jillian Clark again. If you haven’t already, we suggest you check out our prior conversation with them here.
Jillian, we are so thrilled to be connecting again and can’t wait to hear about all the amazing things you have been up to. Before we jump into all of that, some of our readers might have missed our prior interview, so can you take a moment to reintroduce yourself?
Thank you so much for having me back! I’m Jillian Clark, Founder and CEO of Roboro, the only U.S.-based company creating scalable, end-to-end solutions for the textile waste crisis. We’re reshaping the industry by reinvigorating domestic manufacturing, building sustainable frameworks, and forming strategic partnerships. Our work has led to collaborations with Chappell Roan, Academy Award nominees, veteran and women-owned brands, and other impact-driven organizations.
Roboro started with a simple idea: upcycle discarded materials into high-value products. Since then, it’s been a journey of innovation and adaptation. We’ve gone from digging through bins at the Glendale Goodwill to attending the Global Fashion Summit in Copenhagen, Denmark. Fashion is the second most polluting industry on the planet, and tackling climate change requires more than incremental shifts, it demands bold action and systemic change.
What sets us apart is our holistic approach. Our Six Tenets framework ensures that sustainability at Roboro balances environmental impact, financial viability, and human well-being. We bridge industries, connecting multi-generational domestic factories with start-ups, translating industry jargon, and aligning interests to drive real change. Scalability isn’t about a one-size-fits-all solution, it’s about understanding people, their values, and their challenges.
The urgency of the climate crisis keeps us pushing boundaries and forging partnerships that make scaleable sustainability accessible and impactful. I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve built, but there’s so much more to do. At Roboro we believe that together, we can redefine what’s possible and create a future where innovation, sustainability, and profitability go hand in hand.
Great, so let’s jump into an update on what you have been up to since we last spoke. What can you share with us?
Since our last conversation, Roboro has made significant strides in scaling closed-loop solutions for the textile waste crisis. We’ve moved beyond upcycling to building integrated value chains that connect brands, recyclers, and manufacturers and create sustainable production models. Whether transforming post-consumer waste like ballet tights and military parachutes into new textiles, or forming brand partnerships that prioritize circularity, we’re breaking down barriers that have kept sustainable fashion from scaling globally.
It’s been exciting to see our impact grow over the past several years! In 2022, we had the honor of creating an upcycled Academy Awards red carpet gown for the line producer of ‘Flee’, the groundbreaking animated documentary nominated in three historic categories. In 2023, we co-founded the Responsible Apparel Industry Collective alongside the Garment Worker Center and like-minded businesses, working together to build a more responsible fashion ecosystem in LA. We also launched the Green for Good Benefit, an event that localizes solutions through interactive clothing swaps, redefining fundraising with community-driven engagement.
Our partnership with the California Product Stewardship Council on their textile recovery handlers map led to us being awarded a microfunding grant from LA Sanitation and Environment RMDZ. This ongoing project explores brand androgynous take-back and mending programs, driving innovation in textile reuse. This year, we also began collaborating with Chappell Roan, ensuring her merchandise reflects both her bold aesthetic and commitment to ethical, sustainable fashion. Additionally, I had the honor of leading an upcycled costume design workshop at the Academy Museum in LA, a special opportunity to celebrate Earth Month and contribute to their John Waters: Pope of Trash exhibit.
We’ve also expanded beyond the West Coast, engaging with the global fashion community at industry events in Europe and Canada to explore scalable, tested solutions. In the U.S., states like Massachusetts have taken action by banning textile waste dumping in 2022, opening new opportunities to help residents and businesses manage discarded clothing. Policy momentum is also growing. From California’s historic textile EPR bill, SB-707 Textile Recovery Act, to Washington’s proposed HB-1420 EPR bill, and the EU Parliament’s crackdown on greenwashing, governments worldwide are reinforcing the urgent need for transparency and accountability in fashion.
We’re also excitedly looking ahead to the Music Sustainability Summit in LA this April, where we’ll showcase how sustainable merch can align with artists’ values while reducing environmental impact. Music has the power to shift culture, and we’re excited to help artists lead the way in responsible fashion. As we grow, our focus remains clear: strengthening cross-industry collaborations, refining scalable frameworks, and making sustainability the standard.
Alright, so let’s do something a bit more fast-paced and lighthearted. We call this our lightning round and we’ll ask you a few quick questions.
- Favorite Movie: Titanic
- Favorite Book: Jitterbug Perform by Tom Robbins
- Favorite TV Show: The Great British Baking Show
- Favorite Band or Artist: Florence & The Machine
- Sweet or Savory: Sweet
- Mountains or Beach: Beach
- Favorite Sport (to watch): Ballet
- Favorite Sport (to play): beach frisbee
- Did you play sports growing up (if so which ones): Cheerleading, Gymnastics and Ballet
- As a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up: a dolphin trainer
- French Fries or Onion Rings: french fries
- Favorite Cartoon growing up: Daria
- Favorite Childhood movie: The Little Mermaid
- Favorite Breakfast Food: Eggs – any style
What are you most excited about in the coming year?
Looking ahead to 2025, I’m energized by the opportunity to turn our collective aspirations into impactful action, with a strong focus on sustainability, equity, and innovation. Our upcoming projects are central to this vision, including the release of ‘Welcome to the Fishbowl’, a feature film from By & Large MediaLabs, and an exciting new project we’re filming in London and Puerto Rico later this year. These projects will allow us to explore vital themes of cultural transformation and social responsibility, all while pushing creative boundaries in filmmaking.
As we navigate ongoing global challenges, I’m reminded of the resilience of art and creativity in times of adversity. The creative process, no matter the industry, often feels directionless and appears messy from the outside. Yet it’s through this challenging journey that we ultimately arrive at truly inspiring final products. I’m especially encouraged by small but meaningful shifts, like Hollywood stylists rethinking their approach by becoming more conscious of consumption and considering how much clothing they purchase and return for a gig. These subtle changes in mindset and behavior are part of a broader movement where creativity and sustainability intersect in powerful ways, from filmmakers to fashion designers to activists. Together, these industries are harnessing their creative potential to drive positive change, helping to shape a more beautiful future.
In all of this, balancing professional growth with personal well-being is crucial. As a solopreneur and someone working in the climate change space, I’m acutely aware of the risks of burnout and disaster fatigue. These challenges are common for people in similar fields, but I also recognize that, in the current state of the world, everyone, no matter where they are, is experiencing some level of disaster fatigue. For me, protecting my mental health and avoiding falling into a cycle of exhaustion has been essential. Spending more time in nature and reconnecting with loved ones helps me maintain that balance, continuously fueling my work. As we step into this transformative year, I feel a sense of cautious optimism for the opportunities ahead and the positive impact we’ll make, both personally and professionally. Even on the darkest days, the future still feels full of promise, and I’m excited to see where this journey will take us.
Image Credits
Stu Shirra
Kevin Johnson
Serena Duffin
