Episode 177: #Girlboss, Feminist Tees, & Other Desperate Acts, How fast fashion changed everything (part 3)

Clotheshorse with Amanda Lee McCarty

In part three of three, Amanda explores fast fashion 1.0 and 3.0 through the lens of her career:

• How the industry uses things like #Girlboss, feminist tees, and cause marketing to sell you more stuff.
• When fast fashion becomes desperate and starts embracing greenwashing and new revenue streams like rental and resale.
• WTF is the de minimus rule and how is it benefitting fast fashion 3.0?

We'll be talking a lot about Shein and its peers.

Additional reading:
"After Months of Reported Dysfunction, Nasty Gal Lays Off 19 Employees," Anna Merlan, Jezebel.
"'Everything Really Hit Rock Bottom': How Nasty Gal's Culture Went Nasty," Anna Merlan, Jezebel.
"How ModCloth Strayed From Its Feminist Beginnings and Ended Up a Walmart Property," Anna Merlan, Jezebel.
"After reconsidering free returns, fashion brands get creative," Maliha Shoaib, Vogue Business.
"Urban Outfitters Cannot Escape Le Tote’s Trade Secret Claims Over 'Copycat' Rental Biz," The Fashion Law.
"Packages From China Are Surging Into US; Some Say $800 Duty-Free Limit Was Mistake," Associated Press.

"Shein invited influencers on an all-expenses-paid trip. Here's why people are livid," Vanessa Romo, NPR.
"Shein factory employees are working 18-hour days for pennies per garment and washing their hair on lunch breaks because they have so little time off, new report finds," Sarah Jackson, Business Insider.
"Shein: Fast-fashion workers paid 3p per garment for 18-hour days, undercover filming in China reveals," Rob Hastings, i news.

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Find this episode's transcript (and so much more) at clotheshorsepodcast.com

Clotheshorse is brought to you with support from the following sustainable small businesses:

Shift Clothing, out of beautiful Astoria, Oregon, with a focus on natural fibers, simple hardworking designs, and putting fat people first. Discover more at shiftwheeler.com

​High Energy Vintage is a fun and funky vintage shop located in Somerville, MA, just a few minutes away from downtown Boston. They offer a highly curated selection of bright and colorful clothing and accessories from the 1940s-1990s for people of all genders. Husband-and-wife duo Wiley & Jessamy handpick each piece for quality and style, with a focus on pieces that transcend trends and will find a home in your closet for many years to come! In addition to clothing, the shop also features a large selection of vintage vinyl and old school video games. Find them on instagram @ highenergyvintage, online at highenergyvintage.com, and at markets in and around Boston.

The Pewter Thimble Is there a little bit of Italy in your soul? Are you an enthusiast of pre-loved decor and accessories? Bring vintage Italian style — and history — into your space with The Pewter Thimble (@thepewterthimble). We source useful and beautiful things, and mend them where needed. We also find gorgeous illustrations, and make them print-worthy. Tarot cards, tea towels and handpicked treasures, available to you from the comfort of your own home. Responsibly sourced from across Rome, lovingly renewed by fairly paid artists and artisans, with something for every budget. Discover more at thepewterthimble.com

St. Evens is an NYC-based vintage shop that is dedicated to bringing you those special pieces you’ll reach for again and again. More than just a store, St. Evens is dedicated to sharing the stories and history behind the garments. 10% of all sales are donated to a different charitable organization each month. New vintage is released every Thursday at wearStEvens.com, with previews of new pieces and more brought to you on Instagram at @wear_st.evens.

Deco Denim is a startup based out of San Francisco, selling clothing and accessories that are sustainable, gender fluid, size inclusive and high quality--made to last for years to come. Deco Denim is trying to change the way you think about buying clothes. Founder Sarah Mattes wants to empower people to ask important questions like, “Where was this made? Was this garment made ethically? Is this fabric made of plastic? Can this garment be upcycled and if not, can it be recycled?” Signup at decodenim.com to receive $20 off your first purchase. They promise not to spam you and send out no more than 3 emails a month, with 2 of them surrounding education or a personal note from the Founder. Find them on Instagram as @deco.denim.

Gabriela Antonas is a visual artist, an upcycler, and a fashion designer, but Gabriela Antonas is also a feminist micro business with radical ideals. She’s the one woman band, trying to help you understand, why slow fashion is what the earth needs. If you find your self in New Orleans, LA, you may buy her ready-to-wear upcycled garments in person at the store “Slow Down” (2855 Magazine St). Slow Down Nola only sells vintage and slow fashion from local designers. Gabriela’s garments are guaranteed to be in stock in person, but they also have a website so you may support this women owned and run business from wherever you are! If you are interested in Gabriela making a one of a kind garment for you DM her on Instagram at @slowfashiongabriela to book a consultation.

Vagabond Vintage DTLV is a vintage clothing, accessories & decor reselling business based in Downtown Las Vegas. Not only do we sell in Las Vegas, but we are also located throughout resale markets in San Francisco as well as at a curated boutique called Lux and I...