Really looking forward to listening! It's wild how impactful the fashion industry is in economies all over the world, and how harmful it can be. It blows my mind that no matter how we dress, all of us wear clothes that were made by a human being-- it's such an intimate, unifying idea.
Yes !! It seems so obvious that we should care and yet the distance between western shoppers and those who make the clothes seems too great (or we’ve been taught it’s too great).
Hello, Lindsey. Well done! Not being able to trace where materials come from seems to be a huge issue, not just in the clothing industry but in all sectors of industry, limiting the ability of the average person to make informed decisions. They could trace it if they wanted to do so. I see it as all coming down to money. Companies move production of items around the world, seeking out the cheapest labor, never considering how it affects the worker. There is no need really not to produce an article in one place. But companies would instead ship cut pieces to another country to be sewn to get a better margin.
It doesn't help that the Western desire for more and more keeps growing with greed-based marketing. A concerted effort must be made to teach that less is more, quality over quantity, and caring for and keeping is better than using and discarding.
You are absolutely right ! If companies can’t be bothered to do the right thing, even if it’s costly, which I do believe would ultimately be good for business, then they need to be forced with regulation to do it.
My kids are either shopping vintage, making their own clothes, or asking me to help them buy from small, independent designers. My younger son won’t even consider certain shops because he doesn’t want to support fast fashion. I hope the next generations are more responsible. Looking forward to listening, Lindsey!
I'm recommending a film called The Nettle Dress made by one Duncan Howitt. An artist,a resident of Brighton UK,spends seven years harvesting and processing fibre from nettles,spinning the thread then weaving it into a roll of cloth. From which he sews a dress,a dress of Nettle linen which one of his beautiful daughters models. He does this in honour of his wife who died. His name is Allen Brown. The cinema was packed. Who knew so many people were as interested as me in seeing what Nettle fabric was like. At the Q+A after the film maker and the artist talked a lot about the Sustainable Fashion movement.
Everything has a downside. It's unfortunate we need to be reminded of it here. I thought the Dispatch was an escape, a celebration of the countless wonders of Paris past and present. My mistake I guess. Moving on...
My books have been very positive, celebratory looks at the city and its people while still highlighting the reality: improvements need to be made. If you go back through the posts on this substack, there are plenty of recommendations, conversations, and positive news stories shared. But documenting the city / the country doesn’t mean obscuring the past or its shortcomings. I’ve always been quite clear about that focus on here! And I believe that highlighting more than just the “escapist” sides to a place foster greater understanding. I hope you find what you’re looking for elsewhere.
I can not wait to listen to this! I have been working all morning on a short list of places here in Venice (owned by Venetians obvs) where one can thoughtfully shop.
Really looking forward to listening! It's wild how impactful the fashion industry is in economies all over the world, and how harmful it can be. It blows my mind that no matter how we dress, all of us wear clothes that were made by a human being-- it's such an intimate, unifying idea.
Yes !! It seems so obvious that we should care and yet the distance between western shoppers and those who make the clothes seems too great (or we’ve been taught it’s too great).
Hello, Lindsey. Well done! Not being able to trace where materials come from seems to be a huge issue, not just in the clothing industry but in all sectors of industry, limiting the ability of the average person to make informed decisions. They could trace it if they wanted to do so. I see it as all coming down to money. Companies move production of items around the world, seeking out the cheapest labor, never considering how it affects the worker. There is no need really not to produce an article in one place. But companies would instead ship cut pieces to another country to be sewn to get a better margin.
It doesn't help that the Western desire for more and more keeps growing with greed-based marketing. A concerted effort must be made to teach that less is more, quality over quantity, and caring for and keeping is better than using and discarding.
I'm looking forward to part two.
~ Maria
You are absolutely right ! If companies can’t be bothered to do the right thing, even if it’s costly, which I do believe would ultimately be good for business, then they need to be forced with regulation to do it.
My kids are either shopping vintage, making their own clothes, or asking me to help them buy from small, independent designers. My younger son won’t even consider certain shops because he doesn’t want to support fast fashion. I hope the next generations are more responsible. Looking forward to listening, Lindsey!
Reading that gives me hope! Maybe we need to clone your sons???
I'm recommending a film called The Nettle Dress made by one Duncan Howitt. An artist,a resident of Brighton UK,spends seven years harvesting and processing fibre from nettles,spinning the thread then weaving it into a roll of cloth. From which he sews a dress,a dress of Nettle linen which one of his beautiful daughters models. He does this in honour of his wife who died. His name is Allen Brown. The cinema was packed. Who knew so many people were as interested as me in seeing what Nettle fabric was like. At the Q+A after the film maker and the artist talked a lot about the Sustainable Fashion movement.
So excited to listen! Love Aja Barber. Also Love everything you do and your books sit on our shelf at home.
You’ll love what Aja has to say!! 🙏🏼
Everything has a downside. It's unfortunate we need to be reminded of it here. I thought the Dispatch was an escape, a celebration of the countless wonders of Paris past and present. My mistake I guess. Moving on...
My books have been very positive, celebratory looks at the city and its people while still highlighting the reality: improvements need to be made. If you go back through the posts on this substack, there are plenty of recommendations, conversations, and positive news stories shared. But documenting the city / the country doesn’t mean obscuring the past or its shortcomings. I’ve always been quite clear about that focus on here! And I believe that highlighting more than just the “escapist” sides to a place foster greater understanding. I hope you find what you’re looking for elsewhere.
I can not wait to listen to this! I have been working all morning on a short list of places here in Venice (owned by Venetians obvs) where one can thoughtfully shop.
Ah thanks! I’m eager to know what you think! And that’s a great idea for Venice!
Thank you, Mira! I think you'll like part 2, which just went live! https://open.spotify.com/show/2KHAu4PRRxsVcUf0qL84Ym