Fashion Economics

We may not often think of our clothes as having a function beyond covering our naked bodies and keeping us a little safer from the elements. But to discount the enormous influence of clothing on anything from economic cycles to the future of water scarcity is to ignore the greater meaning of the garments we put on our backs. Disrobed vividly considers the role that clothing plays in everything from natural disasters to climate change to terrorism to geopolitics to agribusiness.

Worn Out examines the underside of our historic clothing binge and the fashion industry's fall from grace. Former InStyle senior news editor and seasoned journalist Alyssa Hardy's riveting work explores the lives of the millions of garment workers—mostly women of color—who toil in the fashion industry around the world—from LA-based sweatshop employees who experience sexual abuse while stitching clothes for H&M, Fashion Nova, and Levi's to "homeworkers" in Indonesia who are unknowingly given carcinogenic materials to work with.

Where can you buy eco fabric? What exactly is eco fabric? I share my research about what is eco and what is not eco as well as introduce you to eco standards and certifying bodies to keep your supply chain honest. I introduce you to 46 sources of eco textiles which you can have converted into garments in Vietnam. I have been working in the Vietnam garment industry since 2008 and many people asked me to source eco fabrics.

Controlling the quality of apparel manufacturing when producing in countries like Vietnam can make or break your brand. I explain basic quality control concepts, share practical advice, and introduce you to quality control companies that can save your shirt. I have been working in the Vietnamese garment industry since 2008. I wrote this book to share my practical quality control advice based on first hand experience and interviewing factory owners and brands. I can help you bring your fashion start-up dream to life in Vietnam.

TOP DOG RADIO talks with Bud Konheim, a New York-based fashion guru who’s never at a loss for words, and three other leaders in the U.S. garment industry. Konheim is a partner with Nicole Miller, a leading designer (and company) based on Madison Avenue in New York City. Also taking part is Harold Lopato of Majestic Shape, Inc., which makes shoulder pads and other clothing accessories, and David Lee of KD Dids Inc., which specializes in dance and sportswear.