Welcome to episode 4 of the Sustainable Apparel and Fast Fashion Education Podcast! In this episode, Jackie speaks with fashion professional Maggi-Blair Gu about the fashion industry and her thoughts on sustainability and fast fashion.

Maggi is an alumni of the Parsons School of Design with a focus on design strategy, marketing and management. Her interest in fashion came later than some of her colleagues and peers. She shares some of the enlightening moments that came from attending Parsons, living in New York City, and being involved in Miami Swim Week, New York Swim Week and soon to be New York Fashion Week. Jackie and Maggi get into a fascinating discussion surrounding her career, and her experience within the industry, as well as what it takes to thrive within it, and who may or may not be cut out for it.

Time Stamps

[1:50] Maggi shares when her interest in fashion started, who inspired her to look into fashion as a possibility, and when it became real to her that she would be seriously pursuing a career in the fashion industry.

[5:20] Maggi discusses living in New York City, and how that helps in terms of immersion into the world of fashion. She also talks about two classes she took in school that really made an impact and piqued her interest.

[12:40] What are Maggi’s views on fast fashion? Does she feel it is going to continue to grow? Or will sustainability find a foothold in the market?

[19:40] Maggi shares highlights and low points in her work experience within the fashion industry

[24:00] Jackie asks Maggi what she would want to change within the industry if she was given the chance. He also asks about some of her favorite collaborations. She also talks about some of her career aspirations

[32:00] Maggi discusses the emergence of AI and how it is being used within the fashion industry, as well as the fine line where copyright laws are concerned.

Check Maggi out on Linked In

http://linkedin.com/in/yangyang-blairgu

Check out Maggi’s Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/blair.maggig?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==

Check out the website!

https://www.thesafepodcast.com

episode, Jackie heads to the library to ask people a simple but powerful question: What are you wearing?

At first it seems like a simple enough thing to ask, but it quickly becomes apparent that there is so much depth to the question when it comes to sustainable fashion. Not only does it give us a look into what people are wearing, and where they are buying it, but also which companies they are choosing to support and give their hard earned money to. Jackie then goes on to dig a little deeper with some great follow up questions in order to figure out who knows about sustainability, who supports fast fashion, and what people would change about the fashion industry if given the chance. The answers are fascinating, and revealing, much like fashion itself.

Time Stamps

[1:17] What is guest 1 wearing, where does she typically shop, and what impacts her purchasing decisions?

[3:45] Has guest 2 ever purchased anything because it was trending or popular online? What does sustainable fashion mean to her?

[6:36] Does Guest 3 prioritize style, price or brand name? What does sustainable fashion mean to her?

[9:50] When guest 4 shops, does she have sustainability in mind? What does she do with her clothing when she’s no longer wearing them?

[11:28] Jackie shares his closing thoughts on what he found in speaking with his guests, commonalities between them, and what has to become more evident in terms of raising awareness surrounding the fashion industry.

Check out the website!

https://www.thesafepodcast.com

Welcome to episode 2 of the Sustainable Apparel and Fast Fashion Education Podcast! In this episode, Jackie goes behind the seams a little bit to clearly define exactly what is meant by fast fashion, and the impact that fast fashion practices create for not only the environment and economy, but for the people who produce and purchase fast fashion as well.

Armed with research backed studies from multiple sources, Jackie pulls back the curtain on just how much of an issue fast fashion has become, and how it has changed both the way the fashion industry functions as a whole, but also the psychology of the influencers and buyers as well. Jackie also helps us out by sharing alternate methods of expressing ourselves through our clothing choices without supporting the brands that continue to conduct themselves in unsustainable and socially irresponsible ways. There’s a lot to learn in this episode and it won’t take long to learn it, so click play, tune in, and don’t forget to subscribe!

Time Stamps

[1:30] What even is Fast Fashion?

[2:45] The cost of fast fashion practices and the impact that fast fashion has on the environment, humanity, and consumerism

[7:00] Making informed decisions and alternate ways to explore the fashion industry without supporting fast fashion brands.

Key Resources mentioned in this episode

https://unfccc.int/news/fashion-industry-un-pursue-climate-action-for-sustainable-development

https://portals.iucn.org/library/node/46622

https://earth.org/fast-fashions-detrimental-effect-on-the-environment/

https://environment.upenn.edu/news-events/news/fast-fashion

https://www.oneplanetnetwork.org/sites/default/files/2023-10/Full%20Report%20-%20UNEP%20Sustainability%20and%20Circularity%20in%20the%20Textile%20Value%20Chain%20A%20Global%20Roadmap.pdf

https://www.vogue.com/article/what-is-fast-fashion