Much of my fashion and style-related reading is historical, but I do try to somewhat keep up with contemporary books, as well. Dana Thomas’s Deluxe: How Luxury Lost Its Lustre is one of my favourite books- it looks at the modern luxury industry and why people do and don’t value luxury the same way now. I was excited to finally read this book, as fast fashion is a popular and controversial topic. Today I’m chatting about why you should read Fashionopolis by Dana Thomas now!
Fashionopolis: The Price of Fast Fashion and the Future of Clothing, Dana Thomas
What should I wear? It’s one of the fundamental questions we ask ourselves every day. More than ever, we are told it should be something new. Today, the clothing industry churns out 80 billion garments a year and employs every sixth person on Earth. Historically, the apparel trade has exploited labor, the environment, and intellectual property–and in the last three decades, with the simultaneous unfurling of fast fashion, globalization, and the tech revolution, those abuses have multiplied exponentially, primarily out of view. We are in dire need of an entirely new human-scale model. Bestselling journalist Dana Thomas has traveled the globe to discover the visionary designers and companies who are propelling the industry toward that more positive future by reclaiming traditional craft and launching cutting-edge sustainable technologies to produce better fashion.
In Fashionopolis, Thomas sees renewal in a host of developments, including printing 3-D clothes, clean denim processing, smart manufacturing, hyperlocalism, fabric recycling–even lab-grown materials. From small-town makers and Silicon Valley whizzes to such household names as Stella McCartney, Levi’s, and Rent the Runway, Thomas highlights the companies big and small that are leading the crusade.
We all have been casual about our clothes. It’s time to get dressed with intention. Fashionopolis is the first comprehensive look at how to start.
Why You Need to Read Fashionopolis by Dana Thomas
2020 has been a challenge in every possible way for all of us. Physical and mental health, budgets, employment, relationships- all have taken more work than ever. And I know that a lot of people have turned to online shopping, me included. I am not going to lie, it has been incredibly difficult sticking to my 2020 Wardrobe Goals, including limiting my purchases to 2 new (to me) pieces a month. And a big part of that for me is really limiting my fast fashion purchases.
Thomas does a deep dive on the fast fashion industry in Fashionopolis– how it came to be, how it functions now, and who it depends upon. She looks at the people who are creating these cheap and affordable clothing, and what the human cost is. She looks at the materials in these clothing, and what the environmental cost is. And she looks at the places that played a substantial role in the American fashion industry and the places that play a substantial role today. It is really an eye-opening read. My one qualm is that it was published in 2018, and many of the goals and requirements discussed had a deadline of 2020- it’s going to take a fair amount of research to see where they are at. (An updated version where these are quickly touched on would be helpful.) In any case, it is still a must-read book.
Have you read Fashionopolis yet?
Cheers,
The Historian
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This sounds like such an interesting book! Thanks for the recommendation!
Of course, I hope you enjoy!