Fashion’s Whiplash: Kathleen Chan on AI, Tariffs & Fixing Broken Supply Chains
Tech Talks24 Sep 2025

Fashion’s Whiplash: Kathleen Chan on AI, Tariffs & Fixing Broken Supply Chains

“The 100% tariffs have poured fuel on an already raging fire… it’s put this whiplash effect into every sourcing manager and production team.”

Kathleen Chan, CEO & Founder of Calico


Global apparel supply chains are “very, very broken.” Kathleen Chan is out to fix them. As founder of Calico, she’s building an AI-driven “force multiplier” to bring resilience, speed, and clarity to one of the world’s most volatile industries.

In this conversation with David Savage, Kathleen shares:

  • How tariffs and economic instability create a whiplash effect in fashion

  • Why Calico’s inbound leads surged 300% in the last year

  • The role of AI and vetted factory networks in rebuilding resilience

  • Lessons from her early entrepreneurial journey

  • Why VC priorities are shifting to sustainable growth and leaner teams

This is a rare inside look at how technology is rewriting the rules of global apparel manufacturing, and the human decisions driving that change.


Tech Talks is powered by Nash Squared, the leading global provider of technology and talent solutions. Find out more about our solutions at⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠www.nashsquared.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

The music on Tech Talks is created by London artist Lemzi:⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.lemzi.com⁠⁠

Episoder(841)

Subscription Fatigue Shouldn't Be Part of Your Fitness Journey

Subscription Fatigue Shouldn't Be Part of Your Fitness Journey

Matt Austin and Ryan Lovelock left the Bank of England to solve a modern problem: subscription fatigue. In this episode, the SPORTL co-founders reveal why they are betting on a "no ties" pay-as-you-go...

6 Feb 31min

We Forgot the Basics of Cyber Hygiene: NordVPN's Human Firewall Warning

We Forgot the Basics of Cyber Hygiene: NordVPN's Human Firewall Warning

NordVPN CTO Marijus Briedis argues that while the tech world sprints toward AI, we have forgotten the basics of cyber hygiene. He reveals why the "human firewall" is his biggest headache. From users v...

4 Feb 35min

From Consultant to Builder: Sadia Dhorat's "Sink or Swim" Moment and the Lessons She's Learnt

From Consultant to Builder: Sadia Dhorat's "Sink or Swim" Moment and the Lessons She's Learnt

Today we speak to Sadia Dhorat, an entrepreneur who swapped the safety-net of consulting career for the gritty reality of New York’s health tech scene during the pandemic. Now she's in London helping ...

2 Feb 47min

Discover How Dirt is Actually the World’s Best Carbon Capture Technology

Discover How Dirt is Actually the World’s Best Carbon Capture Technology

We spend billions on climate tech, yet we know more about space than the soil beneath our feet. Robin Saluoks (CEO, eAgronom) reveals why dirt is actually the world's most advanced carbon capture tech...

30 Jan 30min

Arvra is Keeping Human Connection Rooted at the Heart of Digital Wellness

Arvra is Keeping Human Connection Rooted at the Heart of Digital Wellness

On today's show we're diving into wellness and mental health. We are told AI is the future of healthcare, but can algorithms truly handle mental health? Georgie Spurling, founder of Arvra, argues they...

28 Jan 35min

Is a Digital ID a Good or Bad Thing For You?

Is a Digital ID a Good or Bad Thing For You?

Why do we hesitate to use government digital IDs but happily hand over our data to social media giants? Jarek Sygitowicz, co-founder of Authologic, joins David Savage to decode the future of identity....

26 Jan 28min

Tech Is Helping People Embrace The Cold: Brass Monkey Founder Dan Talks Us Through His Icy Journey

Tech Is Helping People Embrace The Cold: Brass Monkey Founder Dan Talks Us Through His Icy Journey

Danyl Bosomworth didn’t set out to be a tech founder; he just wanted a better ice bath. In this episode, the Brass Monkey founder reveals how a "scratch your own itch" project evolved into a sophistic...

23 Jan 32min

What Do 70 Million Patents Tell Us About Technology and AI?

What Do 70 Million Patents Tell Us About Technology and AI?

We often measure AI innovation by press releases, but what does the hard data say? In today's show David sits down with Ed White (Clarivate) to analyze the "current patented knowledge of humanity." Th...

21 Jan 34min

Populært innen Teknologi

lydartikler-fra-aftenposten
romkapsel
teknisk-sett
smart-forklart
energi-og-klima
rss-ki-praten
nasjonal-sikkerhetsmyndighet-nsm
rss-impressions-2
shifter
tomprat-med-gunnar-tjomlid
elektropodden
rss-praktisk-proptech
hans-petter-og-co
rss-ki-til-kaffen
teknologi-og-mennesker
i-loopen
pedagogisk-intelligens
rss-for-alarmen-gar
rss-digitaliseringspadden
rss-ai-forklart