Profiles In Regeneration: Iris Alonzo, US

We need as many people as possible to challenge the status quo, and prove that there is a way to have things we want, need and love without exploiting people or the planet.

People all around the world are working to build a regenerative future. Iris Alonzo is one of those people. She is one of the co-founders of EVERYBODY.WORLD alongside Carolina Crespo, which makes thoughtful goods, without exploiting people or the planet. They’re dedicated to fair wages, pushing boundaries in textile sustainability, and collaborating with creative minds to make enjoyable clothing.

Regenerative Futures: How are you feeling right now?

IA: Optimistic.

RF: What’s a secret your search history can tell us about you?

IA: That a Creative Director’s day isn’t always filled with pictures, colors and inspiration! My full history is literally all Google spreadsheets, bank stuff and Wikipedia articles. :(((

RF: What are you reading/learning about at the moment?

IA: Reimagining Capitalism in a World On Fire by Rebecca Henderson

RF: Who is your favorite human and why?

IA: Buckminster Fuller, because he never tired of thinking of new ideas to help humanity and save “spaceship earth”.

RF: What inspired you to start the work you do now?

IA: The apparel industry is much worse than we can fathom and we need as many people as possible to challenge the status quo, and prove that there is a way to have things we want, need and love without exploiting people or the planet.

RF: What does success mean to you?

IA: Simply continuing to put one foot in front of the other, heading towards a better future.

RF: If you could focus a large percentage of government funding on one industry or project for the next five to ten years, which would you choose and why?

IA: Consumerism. The way in which we consume today (and how the things we consume are made and delivered to us) is responsible for so many of the world’s problems, from poverty to environmental destruction.

RF: What are the best and the worst things about the education system in your country?

IA: Best: Library access. Worst: Most public school systems are bureaucratic, outdated organizations which have failed to adapt to the times, and consequentially, are failing our youth.

RF: Do you have a message for anyone your age living in the year 2040?

IA: Don’t give up!

RF: What inspires or frightens you most about the future?

IA: With all of the knowledge and technology we have access to today, I am hopeful that enough good will be done over the next decade, resulting in equality for all people and regeneration of our planet in the future. The thought of a cooperative society working in harmony with nature, is incredibly inspiring.

To learn more about EVERYBODY.WORLD, click here.