US founded fashion tech B-corp unspun adds Chris Blakeslee to board of directors

unspun has announced the appointment of Chris Blakeslee as its first independent board member.

Blakeslee, currently a Strategic Advisor and previous President and CEO at Athleta, a Gap women’s active lifestyle brand, brings nearly 15 years of apparel industry leadership.

His previous roles include President of Alo Yoga and its sister brand BELLA + CANVAS, and senior positions across operations, supply chain, sales, and sourcing sectors at alphabroder, a wholesale distributor of branded and imprintable apparel.

Blakeslee joins board members Beth Esponnette (unspun Co-founder), Walden Lam (unspun Co-Founder), Kevin Martin (unspun CEO), Milo Werner (DCVC), Shuo Yang (Lowercarbon Capital), and Duncan Turner (SOSV and Hax).

A US founded and B Corp certified company, it has developed a low waste and production solution for the apparel industry that, it is claimed, enables localised manufacturing and shortens supply chains. Its proprietary 3D weaving technology, Vega, turns yarn into garments within minutes. Brand partners include Walmart and Decathlon. 

coming to a microfactory near you 🏭 https://t.co/3hH9ozTgzi

— unspun™ (@unspun_io) March 14, 2024

“I am honoured to join unspun’s Board as its first independent director,” says Blakeslee. “unspun’s technology has the potential to transform the speed at which brands bring products to market, while lowering costs and mitigating global supply chain risks. The company’s Vega technology is among the most compelling innovations I’ve encountered, and I’m excited to help bring its vision and impact to life.”

“We’re thrilled to welcome Chris to our board,” says Esponnette. “From Alo Yoga to BELLA+CANVAS to Athleta, he has shaped the activewear industry and knows what it takes to scale innovation across both startups and global brands. His strategic sense of what brands need and what customers want will help ensure unspun delivers its technology at impact and scale. Chris is exactly the kind of leader we want unspun to attract.”

2025 RTIH INNOVATION AWARDS

Green retail will be a key focus area at the 2025 RTIH Innovation Awards.

The awards. which are now closed for entries with our finalists and shortlists being announced last week, celebrate global tech innovation in a fast moving omnichannel world.

Our 2024 hall of fame entrants were revealed during an event which took place at RIBA’s 66 Portland Place HQ in Central London on 21st November, and consisted of a drinks reception, three course meal, and awards ceremony presided over by comedian Lucy Porter

In his welcome speech, Scott Thompson, Founder and Editor, RTIH, said: “The event is now into its sixth year and what a journey it has been. The awards started life as an online only affair during the Covid outbreak, before launching as a small scale in real life event and growing year on year to the point where we’re now selling out this fine, historic venue.”

He added: “Congratulations to all of our finalists. Many submissions did not make it through to the final stage, and getting to this point is no mean feat. Checkout-free stores, automated supply chains, immersive experiences, on-demand delivery, next generation loyalty offerings, inclusive retail, green technology. We’ve got all the cool stuff covered this evening.”

“But just importantly we’ve got lots of great examples of companies taking innovative tech and making it usable in everyday operations - resulting in more efficiency and profitability in all areas.”

Congratulations to our 2024 winners, and a big thank you to our sponsors, judging panel, the legend that is Lucy Porter, and all those who attended November's gathering. 

For further information on the 2025 RTIH Innovation Awards, please fill in the below form and we will get back to you asap.