Clotheshorse with Amanda Lee McCarty
222 episodes - English - Latest episode: 2 days ago -Host Amanda Lee McCarty (she/they) decodes and demystifies the fashion and retail industries, and takes on topics like consumerism, workers rights, personal style, and why fashion is a case study in capitalism gone awry.
Your money is as powerful as your vote!
"If you wear clothes, you need to listen to Clotheshorse." --Elise
"If you are human and live in the world, you need to listen to Clotheshorse." --Individually Wrapped
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Episodes
Episode 63: Forbidden Sweatshirts, Bowties, and Overcoats
March 21, 2021 15:18 - 2 hours - 116 MBWelcome to episode 63! We can't really say that this episode has a solid theme, but it’s a really good group of segments! Today friend of the pod, GEM, becomes our first ever “correspondent,” when she interviews legendary style icon Mr. Masland (aka "GEM's dad"). The conversation is just so delightful...we don’t get enough derrière mentions on this show! Amanda talks with Susan Massey about her decades of experience buying and selling vintage. Please check out her amazing "It ...
Episode 62: Bumping, Shipping, and Futuristic Unitards: Depop with Ava
March 17, 2021 15:01 - 1 hour - 55.5 MBAva of Unseen Clothing stops by to teach us more about Depop and tell us why she thinks it's the best reselling platform for so many people. Amanda will muse about why fashion is so heavily gendered even in 2021. Don't forget about your new hot Friday night date: our weekly IG Live Q+A session at 8 pm Eastern Time. Will Amanda wear a bonnet? Will Brenda live up to her bad reputation? There's only one way to find out...find us on instagram @clotheshorsepodcast. Want to support...
Episode 61: Plugging In The Hello Kitty Phone (A Hotline Episode)
March 14, 2021 15:29 - 1 hour - 108 MBIt's episode 61, the 4th episode of Consumption Month. Today is another hotline episode, a round up of different messages and conversations I’ve had with members of our community over the last few weeks. There's so much happening in this episode! We have a message from Erin the librarian about her pleather pants, which starts another conversation about why we buy things. Karrie, the Executive Editor of Clotheshorse.world stops by to tell you why you should contribute to the blo...
Episode 60: The Mending-sodes (part III) with Old Flame Mending
March 10, 2021 16:12 - 2 hours - 129 MBThis is the 60th full length episode of Clotheshorse! This episode is full of action: The main event is the final installment of Amanda's conversation with Rebecca and Tia of Old Flame Mending. We’ll be talking about sewing machines (Rebecca has some good recommendations for you), Halloween costumes (Tia is an expert there) and their hopes for both the future of their business and the world as a whole! Also Gabriela Antonas calls in to debunk the myths about raising the minim...
Episode 59: The Mending-sodes (part II) with Old Flame Mending
March 07, 2021 16:01 - 1 hour - 107 MBIt’s episode 59! It's part two of Amanda's conversation with Rebecca and Tia of Old Flame Mending. We'll be getting into some nitty gritty mending and hemming talk. Also: we finally discover that those iron mending patches are NOT a good option! Want to learn more about sachiko? Check out East West Shop's blog. Meredith calls in to talk about how Covid is affecting dock workers, Sophia calls out the hypocrisy of Victoria's Secret's "feminist" gift boxes to influencers, and Erin...
Episode 58: The Mending-sodes (part 1) with Old Flame Mending
March 03, 2021 14:38 - 2 hours - 112 MBThis is episode 58...our first episode of Consumption Month (which other people like to call March)! It's also the first episode in our three part conversation with Tia and Rebecca of Old Flame Mending. We will be talking about the difference between mending and tailoring, how Tia and Rebecca started a mending business, and the challenges and joys of running a business with your best friend! This is a perfect way to launch Consumption Month because one key component of reducing ou...
Episode 57: Secondhand Stories (part IV), featuring Michelle
February 24, 2021 15:01 - 2 hours - 114 MBWelcome to episode 57, our final episode of Secondhand Month. That’s right, I will be taking this Sunday off to focus on blog stuff and maybe just chill out slightly! I’m also doing a ton of recording with guests. March is going to be amazing! But for all of you who will miss me too much, there should be a Patreon exclusive episode coming your way. And of course, this could also be a great time to check out my other podcast, The Department! Now this might be the last episode of s...
Episode 56: Secondhand Stories (part III), featuring Sophie
February 21, 2021 12:23 - 1 hour - 110 MBWelcome to episode 56! We will be continuing our exploration of all things secondhand! we’ll get into a conversation with Sophie of Ooey Gooey Vanshop! She has quite a story to tell. She will share her experiences traveling across Australia and New Zealand, and how she started her own business when Covid forced her to go back home to the U.S. She loves Lucy & Yak. Before that Amanda will break down the environmental crisis our unwanted clothing is causing in Ghana. There are ...
Episode 55: Secondhand Stories (part II)
February 17, 2021 18:33 - 2 hours - 125 MBIt's still #SecondhandMonth here at Clotheshorse. In today's episode, we will be talking about how we as consumers can resell our unwanted clothing and keep it in circulation. It goes without saying (but we'll say it anyway) that there are already more clothing and textiles in this world than we could ever use. We’ll get things rolling with a conversation with Haley. She dropped by back in ye olde days of 2020 to talk to us about her adventures selling secondhand. Since then s...
Episode 54: Secondhand Stories (part I)
February 14, 2021 18:15 - 2 hours - 122 MBLet's get serious about #SecondhandMonth! In today's episode, Alex of St. Evens gives us a lesson on determining the age of our thrift finds. And she reminds us all that appreciating vintage requires a love of history! Daisy May of Rebloomed Design talks to Amanda about her innovative (and super cool) designs made of upcycled materials. And Samie of Dylan Paige calls the hotline to ask us all an important question! Some follow up reading/resources: Vintage Fashion Guild A Com...
Episode 52: Office 5Ks, Virginia Slims, and Footie Pajamas: Kids' Clothes with Salisha (part II)
February 10, 2021 23:51 - 1 hour - 110 MBThis episode features the second half of our conversation with Clotheshorse all-star Salisha about kid’s clothing. Today we’ll discuss all of the weird safety laws for kids clothing. We’ll be talking about cigarettes an awful lot for an episode about kids clothes. But wait...there’s more! It’s Secondhand Month, so we'll be talking to textile artist Rose Beerhorst of Brave Hand Textiles. She’ll talk to us about how she turns the world’s most unwanted t-shirts into beautiful works...
Episode 53: On Speed Dial (Another Hotline Episode)
February 10, 2021 16:23 - 1 hour - 84.1 MBThe phone has been ringing off the hook over here at Clotheshorse World HQ, so today Amanda takes some of your calls. Erin calls in to talk about personal style, Sophia tells us about her year of buying nothing, Liz calls into explain Buy Nothing Groups and Gabriela tells us about a nightmare interview experience. Also, Amanda chats with Samie of Dylan Paige about the transition from Limited Too to Justice. Recommended reading from Amanda: The Case for Reparations by Ta-Nehisi...
Episode 51: JoBros, Daddy's Lucky Charm and Baby Yoda (Again): Kids' Clothes with Salisha (part I)
February 03, 2021 16:09 - 1 hour - 102 MBClotheshorse all-star Salisha is back to talk to us about kids' clothes! You might remember her from our episodes about off-price stores and that food at TJ Maxx. In this half of our conversation, we’ll be talking about the differences between making kids clothes and adult clothes (because Salisha has done both), and how the pricing just doesn’t add up. We’ll also address a letter that Elise sent me a looooooong time ago about sexist children's clothing. Also: we'll get to kno...
Episode 50: Working The Phone Lines (The Last Episode of Trash Month)
January 31, 2021 16:46 - 1 hour - 86.9 MBHey! Not only is this the last episode of Trash Month (aka January), it's also the 50th full length episode of Clotheshorse! What better way to celebrate two momentous occasions than taking some calls from the Clotheshorse Hotline! Karrie calls us to tell us about The Break Free From Plastic Pollution Act, Chelsea issues a crafting challenge, and we take an anonymous call about work uniforms. On top of that, we have letters (okay, emails) from Rose and Lizzy. And then Dani of Pi...
Episode 49: Campari, Degrassi, and Baristas: Graphic Tees with Jackie (part II)
January 27, 2021 16:54 - 1 hour - 90.1 MBToday’s episode is the second half of our conversation with Jackie, a graphic tee designer. We’ll be talking about knockoffs an awful lot...because as you know by now, all the entire industry does is copy itself. We'll also talk about how much we loved being baristas, bots that troll the internet for art to steal, and so much more. Also in this episode we’ll be talking to Kyle about gentlemanly style and we have a phone call from Ann of Oregon. Amanda gives several hot takes o...
Episode 48: Dress Codes, Dockers, and Tinkerbell: Graphic Tees with Jackie (part I)
January 24, 2021 15:51 - 1 hour - 101 MBThis is part one of our conversation about tee shirts with Jackie, a graphic tee designer. We’ll be talking about the difference between direct to garment printing and screen printing. And she’ll be explaining the print on demand industry and how that relates to licensing agreements. Also in this episode, we have not one, not two, but THREE hotline messages: Gabriela updates us about grocery store delivery workers, Erin asks about dress codes, and Meredith talks about the people...
Episode 47: On Speed Dial (Another Hotline Episode)
January 21, 2021 03:15 - 2 hours - 142 MBEveryone who is anyone is calling the Clotheshorse Hotline, aka The Best Invention of 2020.™ This is our second hotline episode. Gabriela calls in to talk about grocery delivery workers. Amanda reads a letter about how one company deals with returns. Gem talks about Marge Simpson's Chanel suit from the seventh season of The Simpson (the episode is called Scenes From the Class Struggle in Springfield." And Selina Sanders tells us what she is doing as an activist in 2021. ...
Episode 46: Plastic Bags, Fast Tote Bags, and Lots of Legal Agreements: Corporate Waste with Anna (part II)
January 17, 2021 16:54 - 1 hour - 82.6 MBToday’s episode features part two of our conversation with Anna Sacks (@thetrashwalker). If you didn't listen to the previous episode, go do it now! We’ll be continuing to talk about something we touched on in the first half of this conversation: how retailers use NDAs and severance agreements to prevent workers from speaking out about their experiences, including all of the egregious amounts of waste they encounter as they are often forced to destroy perfectly good products. Tha...
Episode 45: Smashed Candles, Slashed Wrapping Paper, and Huge Bags of Doughnuts: Corporate Waste with Anna (part I)
January 13, 2021 16:55 - 1 hour - 84.6 MBAs you know, January is Trash Month here at Clotheshorse. Today's special guest is Anna Sacks, who you might know as @thetrashwalker on Instagram and TikTok. Anna shares videos exposing waste by large corporations...especially companies that direct employees to destroy and throw out otherwise perfectly fine products just because they didn’t sell. This can include food, hygiene products, paper goods, furniture, candles...you name it. And to be clear, this is a very common practi...
Episode 44: Spandex, Styrofoam Containers, and RFID: Meet Jessica of FABSCRAP (part II)
January 10, 2021 05:00 - 1 hour - 105 MBJanuary is Trash Month here at Clotheshorse! This episode is the second half of our conversation with Jessica Schreiber, the founder and CEO of FABSCRAP. Today we’ll be talking about how spandex crept into everything we buy, how she started FABSCRAP, and the challenges/future of mitigating fabric waste. Also: Karrie calls the hotline to share her experiences as a FABSCRAP volunteer. And a great letter from Helen...which leads to an update on the forced labor of Uyghur Muslims...
Episode 43: Left Shoes, Realistic Baby Dolls, and Faux Leather Backpacks: Meet Jessica of FABSCRAP (part I)
January 06, 2021 19:10 - 2 hours - 124 MBJanuary is turning into Trash Month here at Clotheshorse. And by trash, we literally mean trash/garbage/refuse...all the things that consumers and companies throw out. Today we are so excited to be joined by Jessica Schreiber, founder and CEO of FABSCRAP! In part one of our conversation, we'll talk about corporate responsibility in terms of waste/recycling/sustainability, the true story of returns, and the power we hold as consumers (it's more than you think)! Also in this epis...
Episode 42: Break The Habit: MP of Ungarbage Magazine
December 30, 2020 16:55 - 2 hours - 141 MBIt’s our last episode of 2020! Today’s guest is MP of Ungarbage Magazine. I held on to this episode for a few weeks because I thought it was a great way to end this year and get the wheels turning in your brain for all the cool stuff we are going to do and think about next year! MP wil inspire you with all of the ways YOU can change your relationship with shopping, social media, and consumption...which will free up tons of mental energy to focus on changing the world! Also in ...
Episode 41: It's Time To Stand Up For Workers (featuring Gabriela + Kenzie)
December 27, 2020 20:20 - 2 hours - 132 MBMany--perhaps most--companies have no value for the lives of their workers. Today's episode digs into multiple perspectives on that: Amanda's various experiences through her career, a Brookings Institute study on Covid and retail workers, how retailers' refusal to #payup has impacted garment workers, and Kenzie tells us what it's like to work at Costco. It turns out, working at Costco is pretty good. And that raises the question, why can’t everyone else treat their workers like that...
Episode 40: Fashion School, The Myth of Free Shipping, and "Gentlemen": Conversations with Gabriela, Meredith, and Dani
December 23, 2020 20:09 - 2 hours - 132 MBIt's one of our longest episodes yet! There was just so much to cover! The great thing about this episode is that it has multiple sections, so you can kinda break it down over a few days. That's a pro tip from one podcastaholic to another! So what’s in this episode? Well, we have some awesome calls to the Clotheshorse Hotline from Sarah of Wide Eyed Vintage and new caller Kyle! Then a conversation with Clotheshorse all-star Dani of Picnicwear. We’ll be talking about the myth of...
Episode 39: Poodlegate, Husky Breeders, and Magicians: Jenny, The Estate Sale Queen
December 20, 2020 15:17 - 2 hours - 137 MBJenny of Late To The Party is the Estate Sale Queen! In this episode, she shares some of her favorite estate sale experiences and we talk about the beauty of looking at other people's possessions. Jenny shared a ton of amazing photos of the sales she discusses in this episode and you can see them on the Clotheshorse website. Also, Becky of Shift (one of our Pegasus sponsors) calls into talk about size charts and the beauty of a show-free holiday season. Previous guest Meredit...
Episode 38: Sharding, Tush Tags, and Spider Eggs: The Evil Genius of Beanie Babies
December 16, 2020 16:22 - 1 hour - 70.8 MBBeanie Babies created chaos across the world, while also giving millions of people hope that the plastic-filled critters were their ticket to a magical future. Amanda breaks down exactly how and why this happened. We'll talk about the Franklin Mint, records, comics, sneakerheads, and clothing collabs, too! And we learn lots of tech stuff from Rebecca, and Rita (aka Pantywitch) calls in to explain why she uses the drop model. Please watch this very short documentary about the R...
Episode 37: Call Me (The Clotheshorse Hotline)
December 13, 2020 17:06 - 1 hour - 102 MBOkay anti brunchers...Today’s episode is going to be a little bit different because it’s going to be all about the Clotheshorse Hotline. Today will include phone calls from Nikki, Elena, and Gillian...then a conversation with Aslyn about reselling pallets of Nordstrom returns, and lastly...a conversation with Haley about her experiences working at a resale shop franchise and then selling on Poshmark. If you have something to contribute to the conversation, thoughts, questions, ...
Episode 36: Christmas Sweaters, Bare Arms, and Tuxedo Cats: Meet Claire (part II)
December 09, 2020 16:14 - 1 hour - 87 MBOkay, anti-brunchers, you know her, you love her...Claire Doody of Copper Union is back for the second half of our conversation. We’ll pick up where we left off...Claire returning to her business after surviving pancreatic cancer, and we’ll talk about her plans for the future and why everyone is doing plus sized clothing wrong! Also: a special cameo from her cat! Our good friend Gillian makes a call to the Clotheshorse Hotline about Christmas sweaters...and well, Amanda has so...
Episode 35: Oregon's Biggest Mall, Spirographs, and A Jeans-free Lifestyle: Meet Claire (part I)
December 06, 2020 18:44 - 2 hours - 111 MBClaire Doody is the designer and mastermind behind super stylish plus-sized brand, Copper Union and plus-sized fashion show Knock Out. In today's episode, we'll discuss her journey (it's a long one) from artsy middle school to true fashion innovator/rule breaker. This is the first half of our conversation and we'll be talking about all kinds of important things, including Project Runway, wearing jeans, and crazy mall shoplifting stories. AND SO MUCH MORE! Claire is a magical perso...
Episode 34: $8 Yogurt Parfaits, Beautiful Sunsets, and Brunch Dresses: Consumerism with Gillian (part III)
December 02, 2020 16:41 - 1 hour - 97 MBThis episode is jam packed with excitement! It’s the final part of our conversation with Gillian. We will be talking about racy vintage Polaroids, $8 yogurt parfaits, and a very strong case for brunch as an analog for fast fashion (and all kinds of other really uncool behaviors). And, we are finally going to learn what exactly is happening when you sell your clothes at Buffalo Exchange with our new friend, Jessica of Vino Vintage. We reference the work of artist Kara Walker (chec...
Episode 33: $9 Panties, Mall Jobs, and Classist Kombucha: Consumerism with Gillian (part II)
November 29, 2020 05:00 - 2 hours - 111 MBOMG this episode is MEGA. So much happening here! It's the second part of my our conversation about consumerism with Gillian. Today we’ll talk about minimalism as an aesthetic for the wealthy, classist kombucha ads, and how the big brands and retailers are just completely out of touch. This episode also includes a phone conversation with Sarah of Wide Eyed Vintage about (among other things), high school years filled with being a proud outfit non-repeater. And Rita of Panty Witc...
Episode 32: Birthday Months, Bad Credit, and Pi/Pie: Consumerism with Gillian (part I)
November 25, 2020 18:57 - 1 hour - 104 MBToday we will be joined by long time friend and chip aficionado Gillian. This is part one of two or three episodes--you know how we roll around here--about why we buy so much stuff. And about how marketing, demographics research, and social media have sent us all into a fever pitch of consumption! In this episode we will be debunking the trope “millennials only want experiences, not stuff” and we’ll talk about how the drive to appear happier and wealthier on social media really l...
Episode 31: YouTube Stars, Lost Shoes, and Beanie Babies: Meet Kate
November 22, 2020 16:53 - 1 hour - 101 MBMeet Kate of Undone by Kate. Before the pandemic, she was a stylist, both for ecomm (meaning, the imagery you see on websites and in digital marketing) and for celebrities. Now she has her own business selling one-of-a-kind reworked vintage. We’ll be talking about what a stylist does...you probably won’t be surprised to hear that it’s a lot more than just picking out clothes! And then we’ll talk about her transition into entrepreneur! It’s a great story, and maybe it will inspi...
Not-so-Mini(sode) 7: Flame Retardants, Bankruptcy, and Buy Now/Pay Later: Lularoe (part III)
November 18, 2020 19:53 - 1 hour - 71.5 MBAlthough we've come/To the end of the road....of the story of Lularoe, there are still plenty of bad business decisions, frenemies, and lawsuits to discuss. So all aboard the Hot Mess Express for this final episode of the Lularoe series. If you're dying for more MLM content (and I bet you are) check out On Becoming A God In Central Florida, a series about a straight up pyramid scheme in 90s Florida. And listen to season one of The Dream, a podcast about MLMs and the women who expe...
Not-so-Mini(sode) 6: Wet Toilet Paper, Buttery Clothing, and So Many Credit Cards: Lularoe (part II)
November 15, 2020 20:54 - 1 hour - 70 MBWe had originally planned for this to be part two of two (aka the second half) of the Lularoe story. But after really digging into it, we realized that we would need THREE episodes to cover everything! So this is part 2 of 3! In this episode, we'll talk about the infamous "wet toilet paper" lawsuit, the culture and cult of Lularoe, and all the crazy prints! Also! A phone call from our friend Selina Sanders about Black Friday and all the other shopping holidays. Amanda gives a his...
Not-so-Mini(sode) 5: A Car Named Ruthie, The Tijuana Skinnies, and Killing Snakes: Lularoe (part I)
November 11, 2020 22:27 - 1 hour - 67.3 MBGet aboard The Hot Mess Express has we journey into the world of the multibillion dollar leggings MLM Lularoe. This train stops at a candy factory, some "femininity forums," and a car named Ruthie. Also: Meredith calls the Clotheshorse Hotline with a dispatch from the mall. And listener Helen fills us in on the state of home economics education in the UK. And she shares a terrible ad campaign with us. Mandatory viewing in preparation for the next episode: An episode of Kin...
Episode 30: Squares, Rectangles, and Wabi-Sabi: Change the World via Sewing, with Mary
November 09, 2020 02:38 - 1 hour - 98.9 MBLet's talk about the lost art of sewing with Mary, a sewing expert/instructor at the New York Sewing Center and the designer behind Susan New York Design! We will talk about the waste she witnessed as a designer in a corporate environment and her experiences teaching sewing to people of all ages. We will take a brief detour to learn the history of Home Economics education and why it's ripe for a rebranding and a resurgence in public schools. Mary will share her vision of how we co...
Minisode 4: Shower Puffs, Cucumber Melon, and Raid Bug Spray (All About Bath+Body Works)
November 04, 2020 21:11 - 1 hour - 57.4 MBIt's our first listener-chosen minisode and it's allllll about Bath and Body Works! Douse yourself in some Sun-Ripened Raspberry Body Spray, and get ready to learn about lawsuits, fictional founders, and gazillions of 3-wick candles. Also: shoutout to our friend Reyna and her brand Botica Botanica. If you're in the market for a new fragrance (for your home or body) and BBW isn't your thing, check out Reyna's line! Want to support Clotheshorse *and* receive exclusive episodes, a w...
Episode 29: DVF, Expensive Handbags, and Fake Lipstick: Meet Selina (part III)
November 01, 2020 16:08 - 1 hour - 84 MBSelina Sanders is back for the final installment of our conversation. She will explain all the ways she makes her business as sustainable as possible. And why she thinks every brand, designer, and maker should give back to the community. It's a must-listen for anyone who has their own brand or is thinking about starting one. She also shares her vision for the future of fashion (and our world). We ask "can a big business ever be truly ethical and sustainable?" Selina gives a sho...
Episode 28: Diamond Tennis Bracelets, Toxic Glues, and The Return of the Beaded Sandals: Meet Selina (part II)
October 28, 2020 15:58 - 1 hour - 91.1 MBIt's part two (of three) of our conversation with sustainable designer Selina Sanders. She shares her stories of being embedded in Chinese factories, the pettiness/ugliness of the fashion industry, and the saga of the $5 beaded sandals continues! Also, Amanda answers listener Elena's questions about Fair Trade. Just like everything else we discuss around here, Fair Trade is both opaque and complicated. Please send us your questions, feedback, and episode ideas! Drop us a line a...
Episode 27: Beaded Sandals, Shannon Doherty, and Coming to America: Meet Selina (part I)
October 25, 2020 13:29 - 1 hour - 88.6 MBSustainable fashion designer Selina Sanders was pretty much destined for a career in fashion. She comes from a long line of creative and stylish people. She joins us to talk about her family, her mom's struggles as a mother/wife/designer and her own move from the the Philippines to the U.S. as a teenager. And of course: her concerns with how the industry is operating. This is part one of three. Also: an introduction to the official Clotheshorse Patreon. Please consider su...
Episode 26: Smorgasbords, Free Piles, and The Dark Underbelly of Major Thrift Store Chains: Vintage with Christine (part II)
October 18, 2020 11:26 - 1 hour - 79.6 MBChristine is back to talk about all things vintage. We will be talking about sizing in vintage clothing and the best things she has ever found. And we will be pulling back the curtain on thrift stores and how they work. Spoiler: the major thrift store chains are up to some shady stuff. Get ready to be shocked and awed! Christine also dispels the myth that all people from the 50s/60s/70s were tiny and petite. She recommends checking out Historical Fat People for proof that peo...
Episode 25: Laundry, Les Miserables, and Raghouses: Vintage with Christine (part I)
October 14, 2020 14:47 - 1 hour - 82.2 MBVintage expert and entrepreneur Christine of Ladyhogg Vintage joins us to explain the ins and outs of running a vintage business. It's a nonstop hustle! We will talk about the overhead expenses of vintage (it's more than just thrifting), the challenges of paying herself a living wage, and how she's coping in the era of Covid. And so much more! Do you have an episode suggestion? A burning question? Just want to say hi or share a story of your own? You can either email at clot...
Episode 24: More Wasteful Hangtags, Stolen Credit Cards, and Superfluous Drama: KT and Maggie (part II)
October 11, 2020 04:00 - 1 hour - 79.2 MBThis is part two of our conversation with KT and Maggie, the sisters behind sustainable hat brand, Salt Hats. We break down all the signs and symptoms of fast fashion...because remember, most retailers/brands function as fast fashion in 2020. The industry was basically forced to work faster and faster, cheaper and cheaper in order to stay competitive against the big fast fashion retailers. So fast fashion is all around us! Also: sordid tales of working retail! Amanda also d...
Episode 23: Zines, Paisley, and Big Jock: KT and Maggie (part I)
October 07, 2020 17:40 - 1 hour - 94 MBThis episode is part one of a two-part conversation with KT and Maggie, the two sisters (and best friends) behind fully sustainable hat brand, Salt Hats. They started their own clothing line in high school, utilizing vintage fabric. They created a zine/catalog to sell the items. We will talk about their journey as sustainable designers and makers. KT and Maggie will share the dark and sordid history of paisley and buffalo print. Amanda explains the origins of fast fashion. ...
Episode 22: Fruits, Faux Fur, and Fit Models: Sizing with Meredith (part II)
October 04, 2020 18:18 - 1 hour - 74.4 MBThis is part two of our conversation with Meredith, a technical designer and all around expert on fit and sizing. There's still so much to discuss: fit models (it's a real job and it's hard work), how a garment is fitted, and WTF is a tech pack? Also, how retailers and designers use customer reviews to make decisions. And of course, we are going to talk about how the industry as a whole is totally missing the mark on extended sizing. Did you know that only 8% of brands offer ...
Episode 21: More Bad Rompers, 5-7-9, and So Much Disappointment: Sizing with Meredith (part I)
September 30, 2020 04:28 - 1 hour - 60.4 MBYou know how it goes when you’re shopping. You go into that store that you shop all the time and you grab your usual size in a few things. You go in the fitting room and….one thing is too big, one is just right, another one is falling off your shoulders but you can’t zip it, the next is flattening your boobs and you can’t lift your arms...but they are the same size. How does that happen? It makes you feel kinda terrible, right? Technical designer and fit/sizing expert Meredith j...
Episode 20: Vegan Leather, Vintage Towels, and Boundaries: Dani part III
September 27, 2020 04:00 - 1 hour - 84.3 MBIt's the final part of our conversation with Dani of Picnic. Insert all of the sad emojis here. We will talk about starting a new brand during a global pandemic, quarantine, and just general crazy life times. And how her experiences as sweater designer for several fast fashion brands has prepared her for the challenge. We will discuss setting boundaries, paying yourself a living wage, what "collab" really means, and "the customer is always right." Spoiler: The customer is *not* ...
Episode 19: Lightbulbs, Tankinis, and $29 Crochet Tops: Dani part II
September 23, 2020 04:00 - 1 hour - 63.8 MBThis 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 ...
Episode 18: Lightbulbs, Tankinis, and $29 Crochet Tops: Dani part II
September 23, 2020 04:00 - 1 hour - 63.8 MBHey! 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!