A History of Fabric
When did quality-made clothes disappear, and the rise of new, cheaper fabrics take hold in the U.S.? Author Sofi Thanhauser joins us this week to shed some light on how the garment industry got to where it is today.
Manufacturing Sub-categories:
The Economic Squeeze of Inflation
Between January 2021 and January 2022, prices across the board went up by 7.5%. What’s next? Economics professor Dr. Christian Vom Lehn joins us to breakdown what’s fueling these continued price hikes and how the invasion of Ukraine by Russia may make certain goods and services pricier.
Forever Fashion: The History of Timeless Trends
There are some items of clothing that truly never go out of style. Whether it’s a pair of jeans or a classic black dress, these pieces transform with the vibe and trends of each decade. Fashion writer and author of The Ten Lauren Cochrane joins us this week to highlight some of the most iconic clothes in fashion history.
The Toll of Excess Clothes Production
The average clothing item today is worn anywhere from seven to ten times before it’s discarded on donated. Why is this number so low, and what happens once the garment leaves a person’s closet? Maxine Bedat, a prominent voice in sustainable fashion, joins us this week to shed some light on the clothing crisis and how its impacting workers and the …
The Wonders of Removing Clothing Clutter
Ever feel like each morning you look at your closet, and despite the large number of clothes, never really have anything to wear? This abundance of extra fabric not only takes up space but also can be a burden to your headspace. We speak with two experts about how to shop and consume less as well as best organize the items you already have.
Plastic, Where Does It All Ultimately End Up?
Around 90 percent of the plastic we use is left unrecycled and dumped in a landfill. Over time, this waste seeps into our oceans, harming its ecosystems and creating massive islands of floating garbage. The Great Pacific Garbage Patch is now more than twice the size of Texas. What small steps can we each take to reduce plastic consumption and get …
The Psychology of Fashion
Fashion advertising raises issues about confidence, self-esteem and body image. Our guest discusses why it’s important to look beyond the advertisements and find the fashions that are right for you, how cheap clothing is hurting developing countries and the environment, and why designers and manufacturers need to change how they create clothing for and …
Sweatshops and Unfair Labor Practices
Corban Addison a law-trained author who uses his books to shine a light on human rights violations talks about the what he found around the world including here in America.
Lab-Grown Diamonds and Gems: Are They Real?
Lab-grown diamonds and gemstones don’t require dangerous working conditions, and they’re made with just a fraction of the environmental impact of mined gems. But are those stones grown in laboratory really diamonds? Do they look the same as the mined versions? We talk to a spokesperson for lab-grown diamonds and to a geologist about the issue.
