Author Details
As an authority on sustainable textiles, Lizette Smook is a frequent speaker at major international textile conferences. Lizette recently spoke at the UNTAD / UNEP conference (UN) in Jakarta on ‘The Impact of Fashion on Biodiversity’. A published author (The Competitiveness of the China Textile Apparel Manufacturing Industry, 2003), Smook is frequently quoted in regional media for her key insights on the positioning of the Asian textile supply base in the global market.
Lizette studied at Stellenbosch University in South Africa where she completed a Bachelor of Science Degree. In 1991 Lizette obtained her ATI (Associateship to the Textile Institute) In Manchester UK, and in 2003 Lizette graduated at Henley Management School University of Reading, Oxfordshire, UK where she completed her general MBA while working for “Next plc” as a Senior Technical Manager in the Hong Kong Operation (Next Sourcing Limited). Over the past 29 years Lizette has worked for and made valuable contributions to Blue chip companies, Woolworths (South Africa), Nike (Asia Pacific Regional Office in Hong Kong) and Next Sourcing Limited (subsidiary of Next plc in Hong Kong).
Lizette has 29 years hands on experience in Textile and Garment Manufacturing and retail.
Lizette’s expertise and knowledge base expanded to materiality on the sustainable and eco platform and she speaks often at global conferences about the increase in global waste (see Tedex Hong Kong Talk on Waste as a Resource).
Lizette’s current venture is co-founder and major shareholder of the first company Innosciencegroup Ltd, (www.innosciencegroup.com) in upcycling of biomass with a patented pyrolysis technology and process to produce high end commodity active carbon black and wood vinegar from palm kernel shell biomass as the first an initial step in cleaning up the entire globe.
Lizette’s career path:
a. B.Sc Degree in South Africa at University of Stellenbosch
b. Worked in Industry at Meritex Group in Cape Town as Lab Manager, Quality Assurance Manager and Technical Manager
c. Worked at Blue chip Woolworths South Africa as Senior Technology Manager
d. Nike APAO HQ as Regional Materials Manager managing the supply base to Nike in Asia Pacific
e. Regional Senior Technology Manager Next Asia/Next Sourcing Limited, managing supply chain, fabric and raw material development and procurement, managing garment sample development and quality assurance of the garment supply chain, reducing cost and lead time.
f. Innovasians Limited, own venture, to develop and manufacture eco and sustainable lifestyle products
g. Co-founder and major shareholder Innoscience Ltd