Sophie Dhaliwal

Biography

Sophie Rochester is a postgraduate researcher at the Fashion, Textiles and Technology Institute, University of the Arts London.

Her research focuses on textile circularity and new economic models for creative and community-led reuse systems. Her work explores how design, systems thinking and creative enterprise can enable regenerative local economies, and how alternative frameworks for measuring 'value' — beyond profit and growth — can capture the social and environmental impacts of circular practices.

In her professional career, as founder and CEO of Yodomo Ltd (Winner 'Progress Toward Circularity', Marie Claire Awards 2023), she has developed models for material reuse and design innovation, advancing circularity across the UK’s creative and cultural sectors with funding through UKRI Innovate UK, Shared Prosperity Fund, Mayor of London and the London Legacy Development Corporation.

Building on this experience in creative enterprise development, cross-sector collaboration and environmental design, Sophie’s research will contribute to the fields of circular business models, social value metrics, urban circularity and policy innovation.

She is the author of Making a Living: How to Craft Your Business (Hachette, John Murray Business) - Highly Commended, Creative Book Awards 2024
and Highly Commended at The Business Book Awards 2022