Amanda is joined by Dr. Colleen Pokorny, Assistant Professor of Apparel Design at Oregon State University. Before making the shift to education, Colleen was a technical designer in the world of fast fashion. And there is so much to cover in this episode:What is a technical designer?How has the speed of fast fashion made clothing fit even worse?Why aren't clothing sizes standardized here in the US?Why do your product reviews matter?How do we set students up for a better transition from school to the fashion industry? And how can schools prepare designers for a more sustainable future?What does a more sustainable future for the fashion industry look like?Why and how did Colleen leave the fashion industry? And does she have any advice to share with us?And somehow, we will also talk about Trader Joe’s and how it has been caught behaving like fast fashion. Also, Amanda shares her own experience escaping the fashion industry.About Colleen:Dr. Colleen Gelhaus Pokorny is an Assistant Professor of Apparel Design at the Oregon State University. Her research interests include sustainability trends impacting apparel product design and development; how cultural and technical innovations influence craft and design processes; and how design technologies can address gaps in diversity, equity, and inclusion. Her current research examines how designers revalue material culture through sustainable design processes when upcycling quilt materials into fashion garments. Before pursuing her Ph.D., Colleen was a Technical Designer for seven years at Thirty-one Gifts and Abercrombie & Fitch. She specialized in men's knitwear, thermal and home soft goods, and handbags. You can read more about Colleen’s research at https://hdl.handle.net/11299/258647 and https://business.oregonstate.edu/users/colleen-pokorny. Or follow along on her various quiltmaking adventures @CpokornyAdditional reading:"We need to talk about Trader Joe's," Adam Reiner, Taste."Trader Joe’s Threatened Workers Ahead Of Union Vote, Feds Allege," Dave Jamieson, HuffPost."‘Just lie after lie’: Inside the fight to unionize at Trader Joe’s," Gabriel Thompson, Capital + Main.And HEY! BUY YOUR TICKETS TO THE CLOTHESHORSE JAMBOREE ASAP!Want to take advantage of the payment plan?Each payment is $50, spread over 4 payments.The first one happens when you buy your ticket. You will use promo code INSTALLMENT1 at checkout (when you enter your payment info). You will be charged $50 and you will receive your actual ticket via email immediately. Amanda will send you a link to pay the remaining payments on 6/25, 7/25, and the week of the jamboree.If you want to share your opinion/additional thoughts on the subjects we cover in each episode, feel free to email, whether it’s a typed out message or an audio recording: amanda@clotheshorse.worldDid you actually read this far into the show notes? First off, thank you. Secondly...if you're the first person to email me, I will give you a free ticket to the Clotheshorse Jamboree.Did you enjoy this episode? Consider "buying me a coffee" via Ko-fi: ko-fi.com/clotheshorseFind this episode's transcript (and so much more) at clotheshorsepodcast.comClotheshorse is brought to you with support from the following sustainable small businesses:The Pewter Thimble Is there a little bit of Italy in your soul? Are you an enthusiast of pre-loved decor and accessories? Bring vintage Italian style — and history — into your space with The Pewter Thimble (@thepewterthimble). We source useful and beautiful things, and mend them where needed. We also find gorgeous illustrations, and make them print-worthy. Tarot cards, tea towels and handpicked treasures, available to you from the comfort of your own home. Responsibly sourced from across Rome, lovingly renewed by fairly paid artists and artisans, with something for every budget. Discover more at thepewterthimble.comSt. Evens is an NYC-based vintage shop that is dedicated to bringing you those special pieces you’ll reach for again and again. More than just a store, St. Evens is dedicated to sharing the stories and history behind the garments. 10% of all sales are donated to a different charitable organization each month. New vintage is released every Thursday at wearStEvens.com, with previews of new pieces and more brought to you on Instagram at @wear_st.evens.Deco Denim is a startup based out of San Francisco, selling clothing and accessories that are sustainable, gender fluid, size inclusive and high quality--made to last for years to come. Deco Denim is trying to change the way you think about buying clothes. Founder Sarah Mattes wants to empower people to ask important questions like, “Where was this made? Was this garment made ethically? Is this fabric made of plastic? Can this garment be upcycled and if not, can it be recycled?” Signup at decodenim.com to receive $20 off your first purchase. They promise not to spam you and send out no more than 3 emails a month, with...
