HI! I'M THE HOST, MILI
Everything about textiles lights me up! I have been passionate about fabrics from a very young age and have been working in the Smart Textiles industry for 20 years. I started as a young girl watching my grandma tatting lace and embroidering beautiful baby clothes. It fascinated me that with the simplest of tools and materials you could create so much beauty and variety. I was deeply inspired by the rich heritage textiles crafts of India and the millions of craftsmen and women who kept the age-old knowledge about materials and making alive through their practice.
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I went on to study Textile Design and quite accidentally stumbled upon Smart Textiles in 2001, and I was blown away by the new language and possibilities it opened up when new materials like light, sound, touch, time, data and sensors could be added to the textile makers tool box.
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I went on to pursue my research in this field, looking especially at how we could explore new materials and technology through the lenses of heritage textile crafts. I was curious to discover what lay at the intersection of traditional craft and technology.
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In 2014, I moved to the industry to research the challenges of scaling up smart textile solution. I designed, developed and brought products to market which gave me a deeper understanding of the possibilities and challenges of the industry. I continue to consult on projects and promote the Smart Textiles industry.
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I love to travel and every few years, I get an itch to live in a new country. Having grown up in India and Oman and worked in Singapore, Sweden and now living in the UK, I love to connect with people from different corners of the world and expand my views and understanding of the world through their stories and experiences. I also enjoy very spicy food and learning Spanish. I hope to travel around South America one day and learn all about the traditional textile crafts there.
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Thank you for stopping by and listening to my podcast. I would love to hear your feedback , questions and suggestions for future episodes so pop me a line and say 'hello', tell me about what you do, who has been inspiring you recently and what you are passionate about. Let us connect and talk textiles!