The Phantoms for Which Clothes Are Designed Sewing patterns are designed for imaginary people, based on average measurements taken in the 1930s by the WPA and adjusted over the decades by the Industry. I sew a Misses 14, designed for a woman 5’5” to 5’6”, 36/28/38, which is to say no one, so I alter the pattern to fit a phantom of me instead of a phantom of her. She doesn’t need any more dresses. — Chase Twichell, 1950 When you…
In American culture, we go through everything at a blindingly fast rate. We purchase way too many single-use products, like paper plates and plastic cutlery. We misuse items that would last longer if we took care of them properly and stored them in a safe place instead of bringing something like an iPhone out into the pool with you. It really is just a disaster waiting to happen. But we can avoid all that if we put in place some…
Vandana Shiva has been considered “a rock star” in voicing little-known environmental issues and advocating as well as practicing a successful sustainable culture for her people in India and governments across the globe. I personally consider her one of three greats in environmental policy taken up by women of science, the other two being Rachel Carson and Wangari Maathai. Like her, these women have left their mark on the world, and for the better. Vandana Shiva’s actions could threaten the…
From Wakanda’s vibranium clothing, to the Amazon’s battle armor, and even the Jedi’s robes, clothing can make all the difference in films. A dynamic character needs dynamic clothing, especially if they’re the protagonist. Sometimes the costume even makes the person, like with Batman and Spider-Man. The whole point of the movie Men in Black was that the agents were all wearing black suits while they were fighting aliens with their high-tech gadgets. Part of our culture as movie-goers, book-readers, and…
Ever heard of the term “plastic soup”? Maybe you’re imagining melted down plastics, some clear, some bright red or dark blue, all mixed together to make up the broth. There are tiny colorful plastic balls called micro beads mixed in–that can act as your noodles, the kind you see in Italian Wedding Soup. With all its vibrant color, you might think this unusual concoction would be sickly sweet, like bright, liquid candy. But instead of being sickly sweet, it’s just…sickly….
Usually when you hear the words “fashion” and “revolution”, you might think that a brand new, chic style clothes will be introduced within the next year or so. Maybe you’re expecting your favorite designer to announce an exciting new fashion line, or maybe widely-known clothing brand is opening up at one of your local, high-end malls. Either way, using a term that’s commonly used with war coupled with the word “fashion” doesn’t usually convey a sense of urgency or conflict….
We all love Meryl Streep’s portrayal of Miranda Priestly in The Devil Wears Prada, but as luxurious as the fashion industry may seem, it’s actually a lot dirtier than you’d think. This blog’s purpose is to give those who may not know or want more information about the environmental and human cost of the fashion industry’s unsustainable practices. Here is quote linked to an article talking about the problems posed by fast fashion: “Water pollution, toxic chemical use and textile…
