Speaker
Book Isice to speak!
Isice Michels is the founder of SIES, a fashion label that turns discarded men's blazers into designs for women. SIES operates as a foundation with a twofold mission in Zambia. Its profits fund a sewing hub in Livingstone, where local women are employed to produce reusable sanitary pads. These pads are donated to girls, so they do not miss school because of period poverty.
Isice holds an MSc in Strategic Management from Tilburg University. Her talks combine hands-on entrepreneurial experience with a strategic perspective: grounded in practice, clear about trade-offs, and focused on what audiences can apply themselves.
Talks are available as a keynote, guest lecture, panel contribution or interactive workshop, in English or Dutch. Content is tailored to the audience and objectives of each event.
For events where it fits, Isice can also present a curated selection of SIES blazers on site, giving guests the opportunity to see and purchase the pieces behind the story.
Talks
Purpose and Profit
Many organisations want to create social impact, but few manage to make it sustainable. Drawing on the development of SIES, Isice discusses why she chose a foundation model, how the brand links commercial activity to measurable impact, and what it takes to build local production and employment abroad. Participants gain practical insight into structuring a purpose-driven organisation and the decisions that determine its long-term viability.
Circularity in Fashion
Fashion is one of the most resource-intensive industries, and a large share of clothing is discarded long before the end of its useful life. Using the men's blazer as a case study, Isice explores the realities of textile waste, the potential and limits of upcycling, and what a circular approach requires from brands, retailers and consumers. The talk moves beyond general principles to concrete examples from practice.
Period Poverty and the Path to Equality
Worldwide, girls miss school because they lack access to menstrual products. The consequences extend far beyond the classroom, affecting health, confidence and economic independence. Isice explains how period poverty is connected to broader questions of gender equality and women's health, and how the SIES sewing hub in Livingstone addresses two challenges at once: it provides local women with employment and keeps girls in school. The talk invites audiences to engage with a subject that is still too often avoided.
Fees and Booking
Fees depend on the format, duration, location and audience of the event. Following your enquiry, you will receive a tailored proposal.
Enquiries
To discuss a speaking engagement, please contact Isice directly at Isice.Michels@stichtingrosemary.nl. You can expect a response within three working day