About this episode

Nick Johannessen interviews Lydia Wendt about the hidden complexities and health impacts of clothing materials and sustainable fashion.

In this episode of Garmology, Nick is joined by Lydia Wendt, founder of California Cloth Foundry and a leading voice in clean, non‑toxic textiles. Fresh from the Netflix documentary Plastic Detox, Lydia explains how clothing—especially performance and “sustainable” fashion—can be far more chemically complex (and harmful) than most people realise. Together, they unpack greenwashing, organic cotton myths, plastic fibres, petrochemical dyes, and why “performance” often comes at a hidden cost to human health and the environment. From natural indigo and plant dyes to compostable garments, compost‑tested cutting waste, and healthier alternatives to elastane, this wide‑ranging conversation challenges how—and why—we make, buy, and wear clothes today.

People in this episode

Host: Nick Johannessen

Guest: Lydia Wendt

Topics covered

• textiles
• sustainable fashion
• greenwashing
• chemical complexity
• health and environment
• natural dyes
• performance clothing

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: California Cloth Foundry

Books & works: Plastic Detox

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