Asia Garment Hub: Meet the Team

by AGHub Admin created 2022-08-08T10:05:42+07:00

We may be a small team, but that doesn't make us any less committed, as we are determined to support the growth of the Asia Garment Hub in helping the platform become THE one stop shop for the garment and textiles industry in Asia.

Meet our team and their favorite features on the Asia Garment Hub:

Constantia Chirnside, co-director, Asia Garment Hub

"Personally, I think besides our content on the Hub, the wide range on offer (from country profiles to our news and events section) and the innovative and up to date brand and social media content, I am personally really proud of the launch of the supplier meet-up series. Through this, we can give suppliers a voice and a platform to come together and discuss in a safe space. In generel, I think a big achievement is the growth and establishment of the Hub."

David Williams, co-director, Asia Garment Hub

"I’m personally really proud of the bredth and quality of our content, whether it’s our data-led country profiles or our articles spotlighting initiatives and innovations in the sustainability field. The fact that we can offer this is down to our fantastic team and the wide subject expertise we have to draw from, both within the host organizations (ILO and GIZ) but also our wider user base. I also love our brand and social media content, which I think helps expand our reach and visibility in the industry."

Kim van der Weerd, supplier engagement lead, Asia Garment Hub

"My favorite feature: Supplier meet-ups. Why they are my favorite: I used to work as a garment factory manager in Cambodia. During that time, I felt quite isolated. I wanted to connect with other factory managers: were we trying to solve similar challenges? What were their thoughts on things happening in the industry? Were there ways of learning from one another instead of re-inventing the wheel each time?. But I wasn't sure how or where to find them. I was also a bit nervous: a lot of the things the sustainable fashion community told me I should do to be more "sustainable" contradicted my lived experience and did not make sense to me. I wondered: did other factory managers share my experience? How could we talk about these struggles without jeapordizing our business relationships? Without being dismissed or discounted as "not committed to the cause"? Supplier Meet-Ups are informal and unrecorded sessions open exclusively to suppliers (any tier), held monthly on the first Thursday of every month. The meet-ups are discussion focused and intended to facilitate connections between suppliers."

Juliette Tafreschi, content lead, Asia Garment Hub

"I joined the Asia Garment Hub shortly before its launch and have been working on the platform's content ever since. That's why the themes section is especially close to my heart, because for me it simply illustrates which issues affect the garment and textiles industry. Whether it's Climate & Environment, Gender, Purchasing Practices, Business and Productivity or Covid-19 - I think the clear structure and the possibility to find topic-specific news, resources and exclusive content is great, and I haven't seen this on any other platform so far. Another feature I find great is the Who's Who map. This visual map shows who is doing what and where in the industry in Asia. You can search for partners and connect with organizations and initiatives that promote decent work and sustainability. However, you have to be registered to access the map. For me, a good reason to become a member on the Asia Garment Hub."

Selina Haitz, operations assistant/support, Asia Garment Hub

"My favorite feature: News and Country Profiles: Why they are my favorite: For someone like me who is new to the garment and textiles industry, the Asia Garment Hub has been incredibly helpful and insightful in gaining knowledge and getting a clear picture of the industry. Two features that have been particularly useful are the country profiles and the newsfeed on the Asia Garment Hub. The newsfeed is a central source of tailored sustainability news and articles that keep you up to date with what's happening in the industry. The country profiles allow you to view and compare industry data on the entire sector in Asia. Not only newcomers but also industry experts benefit from these features!"

Hnin Ei Hlaing, operations assistant/support, Asia Garment Hub
"It is very hard to choose a favorite feature as I feel like all the features are very relevant and crucial for everyone who is active in the sector. For me, the platform is like a one stop shop for all the information related to garment industry across Asia. The country profile is a unique feature of the hub because the important data relating to the industry of most Asian countries are available on the hub. With the weekly changing topic every Wednesday, ‘Did you know’ session is also interesting as well. As the current up to date topics are mentioned in that section, it shouldn’t be missed to read every week."

Asia Garment Hub: Meet the Team

Related content

Let's celebrate: The Asia Garment Hub turns one!