Remembering Miguel Sánchez
It was December 2007 when I first met Miguel Sánchez at the AATCC (American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists) Symposium on Fabrics, Fibre and Washing Techniques at the Renaissance Hotel in Long Beach, California.
Many people spoke that day and I did a presentation on the future of denim as Miguel, along with his colleague from Clariant, Nuria Estapé, sat in the audience listening. They had just released a new product called Advanced Denim, which they showed and told me about during one of the breaks. They liked my presentation, which shocked me since I was incredibly insecure talking about indigo to scientists and chemical savants.
Thank goodness Paul Cowell from BluConnection (my first real mentor on indigo) had prepped me for the speech (I’m not sure he remembers his impact on my career).
During the presentation, I said “If indigo dye was invented today, it would never leave the lab because there are so many negative elements to it,” which Miguel loved because his product was an antidote to indigo, using only sulfur.
I also adored his product and for that reason, I got to know Miguel very well over the years trying to help him and our industry get over their addiction to indigo. Like me, he saw indigo as an environmental tragedy and was proud of his new product (although the color was never good enough to be a real substitute).
Years passed and we stayed in pretty regular “business” communications while Clariant became Archroma and then one day, Archroma advised Miguel he was no longer “needed.” This was a traumatic moment for Miguel, a moment his heart was broken and his sense of professional purpose became hazy. He loved his job and his role and attachment in the industry. He was, afterall, a jeans freak who was thinking that perhaps his next position would take him outside the jeans world.
Instead, the Kingpins Show hired Miguel as its Technology Leader, helping us evaluate mills’ environmental product claims — to suss out what was real, what was potentially real and what was an imposter. This contribution to Kingpins had colossal significance by turning the show into a “smart show” with an opinion beyond being a trend or marketing event.
And then one night at the Amsterdam Café near Gashouder Westergasfabriek, there was a dinner with Miguel, Alberto de Conti and some other chemical seers and peers, where we all agreed that work needed to be done by industry zealots and experts to try to change our industry into a more sustainable one — not just in chemistry, but in many areas and that we would commit to do it.
From that, started the Transformers Foundation in 2020. Alberto wrote the budget and my daughter, Emily Olah, worked the legal side. In the end, Miguel took a serious role in content development as a Board of Director.
And that is the real moment I got to know Miguel super well, from the night of that dinner and that collaborative commitment to bring change.
Of course, we had been really friendly before that. We went to ITMA in Barcelona together in 2019, where we took half a day off and sat in a bar and played chess. I never beat Miguel once in all the years we played. He was a grand master, I believe. While he was nurturing towards my game, he was warlike in his vigor to wipe me out each and every time. I finally had to stop playing chess with him because my ego would be so humiliated and demolished — and how much abuse can anyone handle? He’d say, “Don’t stop. You are getting better.” Chess is a wonderful way to see Miguel.
Beyond his formidable intellect, he was a calculating data hound; disciplined and a strong teammate — as if in an army; relentless to the nth degree. All the while, he was thrilled to share his knowledge with anyone — so they could learn whatever they needed from him.
Miguel died on Dec. 1. He lost his life to pancreatic cancer, a brutal opponent. He fought it with everything he had, he was always optimistic and always shared his confidence in overcoming the disease to assure others not worry about him or view him as a sympathetic figure.
Many people have written to me since he died sharing their condolences. I don’t always answer because I still don‘t know what to say or do or share. I need to think.
Miguel was a very special human, so wildly smart and engaged, both generous and kind. What Archroma gave away was a huge present to the entire denim industry. Our industry will miss him because no one else in the industry is willing, or even able, to do what Miguel did for so many of us.
What we must do is try to remember his passion for our jeans world, and his natural inclination to be kind to everyone and share entirely without hesitation.
We all know that life is temporary and our existence each day is fragile. We are all just one phone call after one diagnostic test, or one car accident away from being in an obituary. Let us remember Miguel’s best qualities as the key qualities of our industry — sharing and caring.
I am sorry he died and I miss him, but I cherish that he selected to work with us and bring all that he had to each and every shared moment. Thank you, Miguel.
Lastly, he loved the bands Rush and Pink Floyd. Maybe we can all have a Miguel moment or two, once in a while, and listen to a song or two that he liked a lot.
-Andrew Olah
Miguel Sánchez was born Nov. 6, 1961. He turned 62 a few weeks before his passing. He grew up in a town near Barcelona named Santa Coloma de Gramanet. His parents came from Colmenar, a small village near Malaga, in the south of Spain, where he spent most summers and vacations. He later moved to Barbera del Valles in the Barcelona region, where he met his wife. They attended university together at the Polytechnic University of Catalonia. Miguel leaves his wife and daughter Maria, who has been incredibly gracious in communicating with us since Miguel passed.
Memories and Condolences for Miguel:
Other team members will be sharing their thoughts in the coming days. We also invite you all to join the conversation as we remember Miguel by sharing your memories, condolences or images in the comments sections below.
I regarded Miguel as a colleague, a friend and a mentor in the world of denim …
As a colleague, he was guiding, obstinate and always creating … constantly thinking on new ideas to “revolutionize” denim
As a friend he could be caring, political and also a good listener … and besides my interest in denim – we shared a love of music and often went down nostalgia lane on bands from the eighties
Not many people knew Miguel was a keen bass player and had a few guitars in his collection.
Miguel will be sadly missed by those he touched along his journey …
Like yourself Andrew I was great admirer of Miguel and truly shocked and saddened by this awful news.
There are so many stories over the years that I have known him illustrating his professional knowledge and creativity, his kindness ,his humour ( even his love of an English student comic Viz) .
His first trip abroad on business was to the UK ,I was to meet Miguel at Manchester airport and take him to two customers in Northern England before a sales meeting at Sandoz HQ.
After the first call travelling in the car we started to talk about a common interest namely football .He told me he collected football shirts and did I know of a shop on route that sells football shirts . As fete and remarkable coincidence would have it, the town we were actually passing through at that moment was Keighley ,where one of my best friends owned a sports shop . I said that I could get him 15% off (this was the mid 1980’s so merchandising wasn’t as tied) we entered the shop.
Miguel’s eyes lit up ,I introduced him to my friend and Miguel started to buy a shirt namely Manchester United , then another Arsenal then another Chelsea followed by Leeds United, Liverpool and Celtic . He then asked me who I supported I told him Bradford City “and I will buy that as well”. My friend gave Miguel 25% off (something I had never achieved ) and asked him to return as soon as possible! I’m pleased to say and proud that Bradford City became his third team.
Some years later I was visiting Barcelona on business to see Miguel ,unknown to me out of kindness he had arranged time to go and look around the Barcelona ground and trophy room . On the way out one of the employees gave me a parcel ,in it was a Barcelona shirt with my youngest sons name on the back it was an emotional moment and showed how thoughtful Miguel was.
As I wrote to Maria ,Miguel had an enthusiasm for whatever subject he was talking about he was a brilliant communicator and commanded respect whomever he met, he was a fantastic colleague ,but most of all to me I was proud to call him a true friend. Andrew , I hope this tiny snapshot shows how the UK team felt about Miguel . Thank you
Yours sincerely
Brad
Dear Kingpins Team
I am writing, on behalf Soorty Enterprises, to express our deepest condolences on the passing of Miguel Sanchez. His dedication to sustainable denim practices and unwavering commitment to positive change have left an indelible mark on the industry.
As the founder of the Transformers Transparency Tool (TTT), Miguel played a crucial role in empowering businesses and consumers to make informed decisions and contribute to a more sustainable future. His passion and collaborative spirit were infectious, inspiring countless individuals to join the movement for responsible denim production.
Miguel’s absence will be deeply felt, but his legacy lives on in the transformative impact he had on the industry. The Transformers Foundation has benefited greatly from his vision and leadership, and we are confident that his work will continue to inspire and guide generations to come.
Our thoughts and prayers are with Miguel’s family, friends, and colleagues during this difficult time. May his memory continue to be a source of strength and inspiration for all who strive for a more sustainable future.
Sincerely,
Suleman bin Arif, on behalf of Soorty.
Miguel was an inspiring and passionate scientist, but above all a close friend and partner in many interesting projects.
He always offered a unique perspective, above and beyond anything we could think of.
Is has been a great privilege to work with him and he will be dearly missed but always be there in spirit.
Dear Andrew,
I’m still in shock.. I know that a part of “partners” first of all you were friends.
Not easy to describe him in few words after many years working together, but I’ll try.. sure you already know, nothing new to you.., I would say that he was a passionate about life, a never-ending learning person in all sense: culture, languages, music, human behavior… and obviously denim, more than a profession, his passion/live. Very high knowledge, but as commented always open to learn, to listen, to understand, to collaborate.. he never pronounced the words NO POSSIBLE, CAN’T when working with customers.. a dreamer, always positive, that can make things happen.. HUGE LOSS, AS YOU SAID GREAT MAN.
Jordi Calucho
Archroma
I’m deeply shocked by the passing away of Miguel. A warmhearted man, a friend and a true Transformer. Miguel was dedicated to educate and debate, a partner for change. The World has lost a good friend willing to take care of him.
Pink Floyd’s ‘Wish you were here’ will never be the same, my friend. LOVE.
Miguel was such a kind person, truly authentic and committed to changing our denim industry and devoted to education.
He was always available to help, support and reply to all my questions, pushing myself to self-reflect and get perspective on the damages of our industry and be aware of all the greenwashing around us.
I had the chance to travel with him, share a few beers and have great conversations about life in general, well he was a great human, a friend and I miss him.
Thinking of him we have the responsibility to continue the journey, with all the learnings that he spread around him during all these years, we have to challenge the status quo of our industry and teach future generation how to tackle the next disruptions of our world.
My warmest prayers to Miguel’s family and friends.
Nicolas.
Always remember the days we had in Thailand co working in the denim industry, a very nice guy , passionate and generous and all RIP Miguel
I met Miguel briefly back in his Sandoz days but only got to really know him in the last 10 years working on various projects.
I learnt a lot from Miguel and laughed a lot as well – he had a wicked sense of humour.
He could be obstinate and bloody minded but behind it all he was a generous and caring soul.
Since his diagnosis we have all been praying for a positive outcome and from the outside looking in he seemed to be battling hard to defeat this cruel disease.
The fact that he continued to work right up to the end is the true measure of the man.
I am not ashamed to say I shed a tear at the news of his passing.
Dear friends,
It is with great sadness that we received the information of the passing of dear Miguel Sanchez. We are sad with you, and we mourn your brief departure. Miguel was always helpful, knowledgeable, and docile. He will be missed. We are grateful for all the moments we shared and learned, it was transformative and honored. The rich experiences are marked in our hearts!
The loss of one of the most talented in our sector, who always distributed motivation, persistence through transparency, and good cheer to everyone who enjoyed his virtual and in-person presence, undoubtedly leaves us perplexed and mourning. He was remarkable.
There are no words that represent the deep pain. Death is an unexpected but certain enemy for all of us, however, we are not prepared to lose the ones we love.
At this time, we pray with his family and friends so that this loss can be understood with the hope of God’s comfort.
Rest in peace.
Our affectionate hugs,
Friends Covolan Denim – Brazil / SP
What an amazing person! Miguel would talk so fast… part was his accent and part his enthusiasm! I first met Miguel through the “Rational Denim” program when he was ahead of the industry trends to consider people and planet. Miguel shared his wealth of knowledge so generously! A lesson for us all…
Miguel, you will be missed, Your passion and creativity were rare qualities in the corporate chemical industry. The way you would disrupt, challenge and bring new strategies and approaches to a very conservative industry were refreshing. I am sure you are making your new testing more denim blue, with a little hint of Barcelona purple and Manchester United red. 🙂
*
I’m so heartbroken over this loss. Miguel was one of the first champions of my bio pigments. He brought us into Archroma and fought for us. Later he joined our advisory board. After Archroma he found ways to have us participate in Kingpins. He was such a positive force in my life. When I felt discouraged in my business, he encouraged me. He gave endless supportive advice and so much of his time. He was so generous. Once when I was visiting Barcelona, we met for lunch and then he took me on a whole day, spontaneous tour of the city. He was so proud of his heritage and I loved getting to see the city through his eyes. The last time I saw him was at KP NY. I’m so happy I got to hug him then. I will sincerely miss him.
Miguel, you will be missed, Your passion and creativity were rare qualities in the corporate chemical industry. The way you would disrupt, challenge and bring new strategies and approaches to a very conservative industry were refreshing. I am sure you are making your new place more denim blue, with a little hint of Barcelona purple and Manchester United red. 🙂
Hello Andrew
Yes indeed Miguel was a great guy and there are so many ex colleagues here in the UK that regarded him more than that – he was a friend to all of them . I have many good memories with Miguel in the UK and overseas but his visits to the UK were the fondest.
He would wear that thick woollen overcoat in the middle of an English summer, he would dread the idea of ‘pub food’ at lunchtime after a mornings work and could not understand English town names (Ramsbottom in Lancashire)always made him laugh).
Our trips to Ireland were unforgettable- days of endless laughter – our jaws were aching – and the time we got an automatic car at Dublin airport which neither of us knew how to drive was chaotic,dangerous an hilarious but we survived.
We will all.remember him and I am particularly sad that I will never recall these great memories and so many more with him.
My best wishes to his family
Saludos cordiales
John
Dear Kingpins Team,
I received the news of Miguel Sanches’ death with great sadness. I met Miguel recently through the Transformation Foundation. I had the opportunity to work together on the TTT project. He was always creative, collaborative and helpful. My condolences to his family and colleagues.
Cenker
Dear Miguel I hope you are in the arms of GOD, You was a good friend and super nice teacher when I start in BLUREF you and Luigi Zenoni help me in anyway.
A big thanks And I hope to see you again dear Miguel.
Verdone Giambattista
Very sad news, Miguel was a technical master, an amazing drive and personality as a person, a friend…!
Andrew, thank you for this wonderful tribute. I got to know Miguel in the last years of his life when I joined Transformers in 2022. In that year, we worked closely on a report about chemical certifications, and he spent hours patiently explaining a world to me about which I knew very little. Most of what I know about denim (which is still very much a work in progress) is thanks to Miguel – and for that, I am eternally grateful. An activist at heart with a very strong sense of right and wrong is what I will most about Miguel – his clarity was always so refreshing in a space full of noise and ambiguity. I am also so grateful to Miguel’s family for sharing his last year with us: he was involved in so many professional projects right up until the end and when I would ask him how he was doing he would respond honestly, but somehow also always optimistically. Miguel, thank you and we will do our best to carry forward what you started.
Rest in peace Miguel. Never had the chance to meet you but watched your educational videos to improve myself. Thanks a lot.
As a former Sandoz colleague, I am deeply shocked and saddened by the news of Miguel’s untimely passing and would like to offer my deepest condolences to his family and friends.
Practically everything I know about Sulphur Dyeing came from Miguel and his former boss Juan Azuaga, who first visited Sandoz South Africa in the late 1980s to kick-start the Sulphur Dyes campaign. What followed were many years of fruitful collaboration and great times spent together with Miguel, as we conducted customer visits, bulk-trials and customer seminars throughout South Africa, Zimbabwe and Mauritius. Miguel’s Industry knowledge and passion for Sulphur dyes and denim was legendary and his visits were highly appreciated by our customers and the ensuing sulphur dyes business was hugely successful.
In late 2012 we became briefly reacquainted. Understanding Miguel’s considerable contribution to so many of Sandoz/Clariant and Archroma’s sulphur dyes and denim innovations, I was saddened when I discovered that he and Archroma had parted ways a few years later. It is heartening to learn that Miguel continued to enjoy much later success at his new home at Kingpins/Transformers Foundation.
Like many of his former colleagues, I consider myself extremely fortunate to have been able to experience Miguel’s kindness, great sense of humour and unwavering loyalty and friendship first-hand. He will be greatly missed by all those that had the pleasure of knowing him.
Fue también a través de su trabajo con índigo en archroma que nos conocimos y comenzamos una colaboración para el desarrollo industrial de productos probados solo en el laboratorio. Solo puedo decir que era una gran persona que te transmitía sus deseos y sueños y una gran persona que siempre estaba dispuesto a ayudar a los demás. D.E.P
Oh man, we are so heartbroken to have to say goodbye to our completely irreplaceable denim friend. Miguel’s unparalleled expertise meant that he could spot greenwashing at 100 paces and he generously spent hours of his evenings helping us to understand and identify inaccurate marketing spiel.
His sense of humour meant we’d spend a lot of the time giggling and gossiping and our 40 min long zooms would be rejoined again and again until 3 hours had past. Even when he was unwell he wanted to work because he was so focussed on making the denim industry a better place. His dedication to raising our game means that every Denim Directory we publish, Miguel will be there in the background making sure we understand what the hell caustic soda does.
Shannon and Amy, Denim Dudes
When we exchanged during all those years at Transformers Foundation boardmeetings or events, it was always wonderful. Miguel the hot-blooded Spaniard and I the Nordic Swede. Miguel was passionate in his vision and his actions. I’ll never forget these exchanges.
Miguel taught me so much about chemistry, science and we talked a lot. Well we both do talk a lot 🙂 but sharing learning and ideas is what our industry is all about. He was always over generous with his time and our zoom calls often needed relaunching several times. He shared our passion to do things better and really drive positive change, not just talk about it. I last messaged with him on 1st November and he was in some pain as he postposed our catch up, I really didn’t expect to lose him.Miguel’s a denim / chemistry legend and we will be naming our LaundRE R&D washer after him so he will always be part of our innovation. I’m still struggling to accept that he can no longer reply to my what’s apps and his smiling face won’t be in Amsterdam. A very special and kind man who will be truly missed. x
Its already 15 days since Miguel left us…and still difficult to believe it…even though the latest years, after he left Archroma, the communication was reduced, we all knew that Miguel was there, present, as a very important part of this big but at the same time, small denim world.
I can´t count how many anecdotes I personally had with him, travelling together to visit customers, many funny stories, but also sometime tensions due to our day a day dedication during many years working in Clariant then Archroma together….
We will all missed him, we are already missing, but his spirit and soul will remain forever in all of us that spent time with him.
My sincere condolences to his family first, especially to Maria and Antonia, and to all denim family across the world for the loss of a very special character that guided and inspired many of us in many aspects, personal and professional.
Rest in peace, Miguel.
Miguel was not only a pioneer and inspiring leader in the denim world but also an incredibly kind and generous person, as many denim lovers expressed here. He was always willing to share his deep knowledge and experience with others, and I was fortunate to have had the chance to learn from him. I remember our conversations during one of his trip to our mill, he was working on an innovative indigo dye bath and his eyes were full of passion and dedication to tackling the challenges he were facing. Always with a genuine smile on his face.
My sincere condolences go out to Miguel’s family, friends, and colleagues during this difficult time. His presence in the industry will be sorely missed, and his legacy will continue to inspire and impact denim enthusiasts for years to come. Rest in Peace, Miguel. 🙏
We were shocked to learn of the death of Miguel Sanchez. On behalf of the Messe Frankfurt textile team, we would like to send our condolences to Miguel’s family, friends and colleagues.
In Miguel, the Transformers Foundation has lost a passionate, committed and experienced colleague, with whom we also have consistently positive experiences from our collaboration with the Transformers.
We wish Miguel´s family, friends and colleagues much strength in this time.
With best regards,
Olaf Schmidt, Vice President Textiles and Textile Technologies, Messe Frankfurt Exhibition
What I remember most about Miguel is his absolute enthusiasm, laugh, and smile. He was always ready to talk (fast and excitedly – and as long as you had time for) about denim and sustainability. I regret I don’t get to spend more time with him discussing how to solve the sustainability challenges. My deepest condolences to his family.
Miguel you will be missed but I appreciate all you did to leave the world in a better place than you found it.
Although I know him for many year through Kingpins, last couple of months were different for me to know him better after joining to Transformers Foundation team. He was always kind, helpful and passionate. We had many meetings and he kept explaning about the indigo dyeing parametters, and sometimes he was feeling he couldn’t explain well because he wasn’t feeling well. Then, we were ok let’s do it again, one more talk, why not? It was always a plesure to discuss with him. But, I never thought it would be our last conversation with him. And that I will never be able to talk to him anymore…Now, we are feeling-I’m definitely feeling-the responsilibity to carry his heritage for denim industry’s better future. It was a plesure to know him and it was an honor to work with him. Rest in peace Miguel, you will be missed!
Zennure
Dear Andrew
This is Julian from Macsa Laser Spain.
Just know about Miguel decease and I am so sorry and sad about that.
You introduce us at KP Amsterdam 21/04/2022 outside your office saying to me, you have to talk with this guy who is Spanish like you and we connected immediately, we were living just 30kms away and we met several times at Macsa and Sabadell, we met at KP NY 2022 where we exhibited as well for first time encouraged by him and we keep staying in contacted regularly, just one year and a half of contact but his warm friendship and love for Denim industry came deeply into me.
Today I am very very sad for his early leaving but thankful to you and him to had the opportunity to know each other and had his friendship for this short but very nice time.
Warmest Regards, Julian Piñeyro Elias
It’s hard to put the right words together that are worthy for Miguel. From the first moment I met him in November 2019, his warmth shone through and he instantly made me feel comfortable in a setting that was very much outside of my comfort zone. That feeling never faded. I am honoured to have been able to work alongside Miguel over the past 3 years and will cherish those times forever. Thank you Miguel for being a great mentor, colleague, and cheerleader. You will be dearly missed.