Fredericke Winkler

Fredericke, what exactly do you do for a living?

It’s a simple question, but one that’s surprisingly hard to answer—I’m a bit of a professional boundary-crosser. Put simply, I’m a textile expert with an extensive background in sustainability that I’ve built across various roles and industries. For nearly 16 years, I worked as a journalist for specialized trade publications. Since 2004, I’ve been teaching at universities, and as a trained textile designer, I spent four years developing home textile collections for an internationally operating textile company. In this company, where I last served as Head of Sustainability, I had the opportunity to develop a comprehensive sustainability strategy. Alongside this, I’ve been active in design research since 2019 and am currently completing my doctoral dissertation. Since 2021, I have also been the Program Director of a master’s program called "Sustainability in Fashion and Creative Industries."

That sounds very dynamic. What exactly drives you?

I see myself as a strategist who’s always searching for the thread that connects everything, and I believe that a concept is truly sound only when it’s based on meaningful, coherent values. In my view, a product or campaign is at its most compelling when it stems from a foundation of clear corporate values, current industry knowledge, and a bold, forward-looking vision. However, in my experience, many companies struggle to articulate clear values and to address the geopolitical and environmental challenges that are reshaping our world. Often, there’s a lack of confidence in the organization’s ability to live by these values. I don’t mean to be overly critical, but rather to highlight the excellence that can emerge when organizations embrace complexity and carefully seize new opportunities.

How, in your opinion, can companies seize these opportunities with care?

Our industry leaders need to be willing to build advisory boards and teams that bring fresh perspectives and diverse mindsets—often taking them beyond their comfort zones. When strategies are being developed, companies urgently need input from designers, scientists, labor representatives, and NGOs. International expansion, too, requires an appreciation of cultural diversity; a Eurocentric approach is no longer viable. Innovation and a sense of responsibility must permeate all levels of the hierarchy if we are to achieve sustainable progress as an industry.

And what role do you play in this?

With one foot in academia and one in the business world, I bring creative approaches to the negotiation table. Whether by developing innovative strategies, creating foundational knowledge, preparing teams to take on new roles, or helping implement sustainable concepts, I assist companies in building on what truly defines them.

If you had to summarize your work in one line, what would it be?

Say what you mean, mean what you say.