Episode 18: Lightbulbs, Tankinis, and $29 Crochet Tops: Dani part II

Hey! This is part two of our three part series with Dani of Picnic. We discuss what it’s like to be a sweater designer in fast fashion, how retailers somehow manage to sell us the same thing over and over (and we keep buying it), and how fast fashion profits more by promoting and extending some trends over others. Also: planned obsolescence and other fast fashion conspiracy theories that are actually true!

This is part two of our three part series with Dani of Picnic.  Before starting her own brand, she was a sweater designer for several major fast fashion retailers.  Today we are going to talk about all kinds of things:  what it’s like to be a sweater designer in fast fashion, how retailers somehow manage to sell us the same thing over and over (and we keep buying it), and how fast fashion profits more by promoting and extending some trends over others. Also, why does every retailer kinda look the same now?

One thing we touch on is this quandary:  are fast fashion retailers just making crappy clothes by accident or is it by design, so we will buy new clothes more often as they fall apart faster? It sounds like a real conspiracy theory, doesn’t it? OR IS IT?!  Amanda introduces us to the concept of "planned obsolescence," which has been utilized to drive sales in other industries since at least the 1930s.

Lastly, DO YOU HAVE A VOTING PLAN?  This year voting is more important than ever...but it's also more complicated than ever.   Use Vote Save America to figure out your plan for Election Day.  Do this now and not the night before! Be prepared to wait in line for a long time, so wear comfortable shoes and warm clothes, bring snacks and water, and consider bringing a buddy from the same neighborhood.  Virtually every person in this country has something at stake with the outcome of this election.  Let’s vote the assholes out!

Do you have an episode suggestion?  Need advice?  Have a burning question about the industry?  You can reach out via email at [email protected] Or just DM via instagram where you'll find us @clotheshorsepodcast.

Also, if you can’t get enough of podcasts during quarantine, check out our sister podcast, The Department.  Amanda co-hosts it with her friend Kim.  We talk about trends, taste, brands, our weird lives, and so on.  This week’s episode is about normalizing women’s bodies, influencers who photoshop themselves into weird skinny mutants, and teenage boys perming their hair...among other things!