After obvious offenders in energy, transportation, and agriculture, did you know that one of the largest polluters in the world is the textile industry? Their factories consume millions of gallons of water daily in bleaching, dyeing, and rinsing fibers and fabrics. This contaminated water is not always disposed of responsibly, challenging the welfare of the landscape, animals, and human beings. The company Queen of Raw, based in New York City, combats these issues by linking designers with suppliers through an online marketplace that carries only sustainable fabrics. Queen of Raw was founded in 2018 by Stephanie Benedetto, a former lawyer in fashion, media, and entertainment, who decided to collaborate with companies that purchased ethically sourced textiles and fabrics. To learn more about Queen of Raw's participation at the #2022Folklife Festival and their increasing efforts to combat textile pollution, check out the link in bio. 📸: © Queen of Raw