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I found a wonderful new author who has written books intertwining fashion AND history. The picture of the book with the authors’ name is shown above. This book tells of a French seamstress, a British spy and an American heiress that begins in war-torn France.

The author is on the New York Times bestseller list and as you read her books, you will see why.

This author has since put out many more books with adventure and fashion that will keep you on the edge of your seat hungry for more.

Also, many of her books include political and wartime history of the individuals involved. She does not write as a factual historian but always combines the historical facts with fashion, mystery, and intrigue. Many times she shares tidbits of the fashion world even down to the work and/or design rooms that makes you feel you are right there. Even if you have no knowledge or interest in clothing construction, she provides fashion information that will keep you intrigued. The author travels the world to see and describe the areas where her characters lived and designed. The characters are fictional however, the fashion world and locations are real.

In this book, the author provides the history and location of many of the sites she references. The author includes “The Paris Seamstress Reading Group Guide”. The guide is in the back of the book and provides history and updates on all the significant locations referenced, including France and New York.

Often, we assume that our impact doesn’t matter because we are only one person. But this mindset just contributes to all of the problems that not shopping sustainably can cause. 

Fast fashion is a major issue in the fashion world. When you buy from fast fashion companies, you continue to feed the idea that purchasing clothing like this is good. “Well, if I’m buying from these websites, isn’t that giving the workers a job, therefore helping them earn money?” and “Won’t the economy crash if we all start boycotting the fast fashion companies?” But this is just an excuse. Nothing changes overnight. If we, gradually and impactfully, decide to decrease our fast fashion purchases, it will force the fast fashion companies to make necessary changes, and overall help our environment by becoming eco-friendly. 

3 REASONS WHY FAST FASHION ISN’T SUSTAINABLE

#1. Fashion companies use chemicals and dyes in clothing production. These dyes include arsenic, lead, and mercury, which are often dumped into rivers and oceans. 

#2. The clothing industry also causes about ten percent of global carbon emissions. These emissions damage the ozone (which protects us from the sun), contributing to global warming, rising oceans, and melting glaciers.

#3. You may not think that every day fashion uses a lot of water, but it does. Twenty percent of industrial water pollution is a result of textile treatment and dyeing. 

3 WAYS YOU CAN HELP

#1. Thrift stores are a great place to stay sustainable. Instead of buying new clothes, swap, re-use, and buy used clothes. Remake, and recycle clothes as much as you can. Thrift stores disrupt fast fashion’s cycle of trends, overconsumption, and trashing of clothes.

#2. Buy locally made clothing from small businesses! Many small businesses reside or on websites such as Depop and Etsy. These small businesses focus on producing clothing in small batches or when it is purchased (made-to-order clothing). No overproduction, no clothes left to waste. (https://sstyle.us) 

#3. Don’t throw your clothes away. Instead, repair them, donate them, sell them on a second-hand app, or put them in textile recycling bins. You can also use organizations such as Re/Make, Sustain Your Style, War on Want, Thred-Up, and many more. 

HOW WE CAN WORK TOGETHER FOR FASHION SUSTAINABILITY

With my company, SStyle, I would be happy to schedule a free consultation with anyone who is interested in having a piece of clothing upcycled, altered, or repurposed, so that it can be worn and loved for years to come.

Raw bamboo – Just one of the many natural fibers that are being used in clothing.  

To find out more about sustainable fabrics, check out https://www.sustainablejungle.com/sustainable-fashion/sustainable-fabrics

These jackets needed simple alterations but did not have any center front closures.  I wanted to show you the difference an inexpensive embellishment can make to the garment.  The client picked them out and she was ecstatic when she saw the difference.