Essi Karell

I am a researcher and educator with a strong focus on the future of sustainable and circular fashion practices. My research is dedicated to generating insights that can support the textile and clothing industry in the transition toward a sufficiency‑oriented circular textile system.

Since 2017, I have been involved in several projects related to the circular economy and textiles, including Trash-2-Cash, Crops4Luxury, Finix, New Cotton and T-REX.

In 2021, I completed my doctoral thesis, Closing the Loop through
Clothing Design: Wishful Thinking or Achievable Practice? This dissertation explored the growing trend of advancing closed-loop textile recycling, focusing on what it means from a clothing design perspective and how design practices align with this goal.

I am also a member of Fashion/Textile Futures research group that approaches research in the field of fashion, clothing and textiles in multi-faceted ways. 

In my previous role at another higher education institution, I played an active role in developing fashion and clothing education while teaching courses that addressed various dimensions of sustainability in the context of fashion.