Studying to Get a Degree? Haiko Huvenaars Prefers to Host a Talk Show About Sustainable Fashion

On the day his pre-Master program was set to begin, Haiko Huvenaars (29) decided to drop out of university. Instead of pursuing a degree, he chose to follow his own ideas. It turned out to be a great decision: he now runs a successful talk show about sustainable fashion called TexTalk.

You studied here but didn’t finish your degree. What happened?

‘I started the pre-Master in Strategic Management at Tilburg University in late 2018. I didn’t earn enough credits and ended up working at ASML. There, I was advised to give the pre-Master another shot because otherwise, I’d quickly hit a career ceiling within the company. So, I re-enrolled, this time for the pre-Master in Organization and Management Studies.

‘But on the very day the program started, I dropped out again. I realized I was only looking forward to receiving the diploma, not the process of getting there.’

Now you’re hosting a talk show about sustainable fashion. What led you to the textile industry?

‘After dropping out in September 2019, I made a list of all my startup ideas. These ranged from a satirical news website to an app for improving mental health. Ultimately, I wanted to address the Brazilian wildfires, which were dominating the news at the time.

‘That inspired me to use my time for something meaningful. I designed a T-shirt to sell and raise money for reforestation projects. Unfortunately, the sample I received was of extremely poor quality. That’s when I thought, this has to be done better.’

How did you go from making clothing to creating a talk show?

‘To improve the quality of the T-shirts, I delved into the clothing industry. This led to the creation of a clothing brand called Candour Clothing (CC). The brand combines sustainable production with technology. Together with a co-founder, I launched an app that allowed users to scan shirts to see where and how they were made.

‘I quickly realized that I was better at creating platforms and sparking conversations about sustainability than at designing clothing. When I had the chance to collaborate with T*Agency on a podcast episode about the clothing industry, it was so well-received that the podcast eventually evolved into a talk show at Tilburg’s theater. That’s how TexTalk was born.’

What makes TexTalk different from other sustainable fashion initiatives?

‘TexTalk goes beyond clothing. We tackle broader issues like overconsumption, with clothing serving as a symbol. Our team highlights various subtopics. Recently, we explored ‘patterns of influence’ with guests like Jonas Zitter (co-founder of @kledingcast), Emilie van Kinschot (fashion journalist at Volkskrant), and Fabian Bellaard (lecturer at Erasmus University). We delved into how pop culture influences fashion trends, among other things.

‘We also work closely with students, offering them opportunities to participate through internships and research projects. This ensures that our shows and events are truly made for and by young people.’

How can students get involved?

‘Just send us a message on Instagram. We also have a meeting every Thursday morning. If you’re interested, you’re welcome to join.’

What’s your vision for TexTalk’s future?

‘We want to have a nationwide impact with a platform that remains relevant year-round. Think events, podcasts, and workshops—not just the talk show. The clothing industry is constantly evolving and will continue to be an important topic of discussion.’

TexTalk takes place about four times a year at the Tilburg theater. Curious about the next edition? Keep an eye on TexTalk’s Instagram (textalk.tilburg) to stay updated on upcoming dates. Tickets for the talk show cost ten euros, including a drink.

_Advertentie.