Episode 176: Fast, Cheap, & Always Something New, How fast fashion changed everything (part 2)

Clotheshorse with Amanda Lee McCarty

In part two of now THREE, Amanda explores fast fashion 1.0 and 2.0 through the lens of her career. In this episode we will break down all of the acrobatics brands did to bring their customers more and more newness, faster and faster.

• How fashion got faster with some help from social media and the normalization of shopping online.
• How retailers began to commodify every holiday and occasion, creating products we didn't really need for every and any "event."
• Why fast fashion retailers started to carry a lot of new things that weren't clothing.
• How small online-only retailers like Modcloth, Nasty Gal, Lulu's, and Dolls Kill were able to offer even more steady newness without a huge in-house design team. Get ready to learn about the San Pedro Apparel Mart.
• How fast fashion 2.0 brands like Fashion Nova and Boohoo could keep prices low while creating product faster than anyone else.

Additional reading:
"Barnardo's calls for people to think 'pre-loved' before buying new clothes"
Planet Money, Episode 765: The Holiday Industrial Complex
"Is Urban Outfitters Phasing Out Its Indie Athleisure Brand?," Adele Chapin, Racked.
"From the San Pedro Wholesale Mart, a Brand Rises," Kari Hamanaka, WWD.
"Boohoo’s business model is as cheeky as a bikini paired with chaps," The Economist.
"Inside the lavish lives of the billionaire family behind Boohoo, the fast-fashion giant called out in an investigation into workers being paid just $4 an hour at suppliers' factories," Mary Hanbury, Insider.
"Boohoo booms as Leicester garment factories are linked to lockdown," Archie Bland and Annie Kelly, The Guardian.
"Dark factories: labour exploitation in Britain’s garment industry," Sarah O’Connor, Financial Times.
"Boohoo opens first owned factory in ‘new chapter’ amid international market challenges," Emily Hawkins, City A.M.
"Three graphs revealing how Fashion Nova disrupted the fashion industry," Edited.
"Fashion Nova’s Secret: Underpaid Workers in Los Angeles Factories," Natalie Kitroeff, The New York Times.
FTC Announces Refund Claims Process for Fashion Nova Customers Affected by Deceptive Review Practices

Special thanks to this episode's sponsors:

Soft Work, intuitive garment construction for beginners. Registration open until 9/22!

Osei-Duro! Find them on Instagram as @oseiduro.
Use promo code CLOTHESHORSE20 to get 20% off your order!

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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:

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 Ivy located in Indianapolis, Indiana. Jessica, the founder & owner of Vagabond Vintage DTLV, recently opened the first IRL location located in the Arts District of Downtown Las Vegas on August 5th. The shop has a strong emphasis on 60s & 70s garments, single stitch tee shirts & dreamy loungewear. Follow them on instagram,