I’m a designer running a small bag brand and about to add clothing to the mix. Your articles hit the key current issues of the industry and save me spending hours online trying to find decent writing, stats and opinions on the state of fashion.
It feels like there are very few small brands making proper waves so perhaps highlighting and interviewing these brands on a monthly spotlight could be good, hearing about other people’s journeys is always interesting. I love reading about sustainable food also as I feel the organic food industry is miles ahead of the sustainable fashion industry and there’s so much learning there that can be applied to fashion. Also, shop and city guides would be amazing!
I look forward to the newsletters so much, I take a tea break as soon as it lands in my inbox. I am really glad I signed up for the full subscription as you are doing a great job and it is definitely worth it! 👏🏻
hey Alec, weirdly enough, i don't pay the newsletter here, but i bought your first book countless times and i keep offering it to people i value and think they should read it/ be aware -and i intend to continue to do so- i'm not sure what that might tell about me but, it's not the point. i definitely enjoy reading you on a more regular basis [vs from one book to the next let's say]. one thing i'd love to see you share more of would be: more personal stuff. like: your own journey, your wins and challenges these days, your doubts, how you navigate your own relationship with your current possessions [the purchases you're making as we speak; or typically the ones you're contemplating but not making at the end] etc...
Funnily enough, I’m not actually that obsessive about fashion or sustainability - beyond valuing clothes that make me feel good and buying considerately when I can - but yours is one of the few substacks I actually read regularly, so make of that what you will..! I think I find this helpful to have a quick and honest insight into fashion without the hype and churn of somewhat undifferentiated stuff on IG.
I’ve always got on with the tone of your writing - it’s personal, unpretentious and insightful. I guess if anything I’ve been drawn to the insights you have shared on structural incentives within industries (ie design, production and media). I also enjoyed the more focused pieces you’ve done on brands doing sustainability better eg Mfpen, and I’ve found your reflections on our personal relationships with clothes pretty useful. while you cover fashion for all genders I do sort of appreciate when you focus particularly on menswear brands, as generally there seem to be fewer outlets doing this well (I’m a man though, so that would be my bias). More of? The above. Less of? Not sure.
Appreciate limited critique there but just wanted to offer that feedback. Congrats on what you have achieved here so far.
I second the part about brand spotlights! I quite literally bought a GANNI dress when I needed a new buy-it-for-life black one because of your piece on them. Was a lovely full circle!
I'm an Indian student recently graduated from studying MA sustainable fashion in London. I came across your book and newsletter during my course and I haven't put it down since. Not at all a book reader but the moment I found out about your book I purchased it and finished it in a couple of hours. I find your writing truly informative & genuine as you draw insights & observations from your own experiences which is super real as opposed to what to & what not to believe in this greenwashed industry. I eagerly look forward to reading your newsletters and to name a few ones that I've absolutely enjoyed reading & re-reading are the recent Loro Piana sweater scandal, what Ganni does right by doing carbon insetting, why Adidas wouldn't let Kanye go and Russian oil tainting fashion's supply chain. As a newbie in the sustainable fashion industry trying to find my path, I find your newsletters extremely informative & a great lens through which I can learn about the brands, supply chain, sustainability & culture. Moreover, I find your pieces less rebellious and calm which completely aligns with how I would like to have my stance in the industry.
Thank you so much for these newsletters and I look forward to more knowledge gain every week!
Love your writing Alec, I’m a very happy subscriber. But can’t imagine it’s easy for a single brain to pump out original, insightful, hard-hitting writing on a weekly basis. So I’d love to also hear from fashion industry insiders / brands / retailers / thought-leaders on the kinds of issues you write about. BBSP does that really well. Reckon you’d make a great interviewer!
seriously, it's started to get really exhausting pumping out original writing on a weekly basis (i'm also working on my second book) — i'll take insightful and hard-hitting as a compliment, though! definitely gonna start doing more interviews, thank you for the feedback! PS bbsp does many, many things very well. only substack i'm paying for right now !
Hi Alec, I find it amazing you manage to pay the rent from your newsletters. It is a sign you do a good job already in reaching people with great in-depth stories. I know first hand it is really hard to stay motivated doing this all alone. So I think doing more interviews and joint investigations might be a good way to stay energised. Don’t forget to join up with some of the great researchers in this field.
I am new to your newsletters but already looking forward to them. Guess I will start paying. PS not the fan of BBPS, I find much of it hot air
Happy subscriber! You’re actually the first Substack I’ve paid for.
I’ve followed you since you started with Hypebeast (did you do a bit on Fashionista too??), and enjoy your fluid, conversational tone of voice and how that allows you to simplify the messy concepts of fashion & sustainability. I also really enjoy how you discuss the menswear perspective and crack open the story that sustainability is just a womenswear issue. You’re doing great!
Hello Alec! There is one topic I would love to hear your perspective about: the risks and opportunities brands have of communicating publicly about their sustainability efforts & developments.
As someone who worked in fashion luxury and is currently about to start working for the Cradle to Cradle certification, I sense a great fear coming from brands for speaking out about this. This is due to the many cases of greenwashing, the lack of a universal guide of DO and DONTS on how to communicate about this, and because of the fact that most of these brands still have non-sustainable practices in other areas, so they prefer to avoid the risk of communicating about the things they are actually doing good, to avoid backlash. IMO I believe if we open the gap for brands to share their sustainable journey (without positioning themselves as 'sustainable' just because they replace nylon with econyl of course), their consumers will start having 'sustainability' more in mind, seeing this is important to their beloved brands.
Thank you for your insightful and down-to-earth words in every article!
Hi Alec, paying subscriber here,love your Substack!
I am a womenswear designer working in London, trying to design in a more planet positive way, and your newsletter is really helpful for my research.
I would love a regular feature where readers can ask for your take on current talking points within the realms of fashion & sustainability e.g. What are your thoughts on B-corp accreditation and do you think the fact that more fashion brands are receiving this certification devalues it as a concept?
I'm Claudia from Peru. I work in Fashion Marketing. I came across this newsletter through your book. I love hearing your opinions on brands and sustainability. I appreciate that you did one specifically on Loro Piana; it caused quite a stir here in Peru.
I'm not subscribed yet, but I would like to hear more negative and constructive criticisms about brands and campaigns, as well as their production processes. Also, the overlooked issues in the fashion world. From my experience, I suggest sharing resources that work for you in the fashion industry, such as websites that inspire you, bibliography or virtual libraries, as well as what products you've been acquiring lately. That personal and valuable content can attract people to subscribe.
Personally, I'm working on a second-hand clothing project; it's in progress @itsfromchacracerro, and that kind of content is valuable from my perspective, and there might be others in the same situation. That's the recommendation I can give you.
I work in the fashion industry also and after Covid, the loss of a loved one and having children of my own, am struggling to find my new purpose in the midst of the worlds’ chaos. My perspectives and values are changing. My career in fashion and my curated “brand image” was everything to me but I now realize how shallow it is and is not something I want to define me. I love your writing because it is honest and relatable, speaking what a lot of us think but don’t have enough information to dive into. In Fashion, you offer alternative perspectives that is beyond greenwashing for people who care, but still want to express themselves in this space. I plan to subscribe after your recent piece on working for the bad guys because I want to hear more on how you think we can navigate and reinvent ourselves during these tough times.
Hey Alec, a bit late to the party here, buuuut I love your tone of writing. Its relatable, not too formal
(ie i feel you behind the type, its not AI Alec), its current and also helps that i agree wholeheartedly with the vibe of your content. THE WORLD IS ON FIRE.
I have a fashion brand for teens and tweens and we are all about inspiring these future consumers to maybe buy a few less pairs of shoes. The amazing thing is that they are way more on to it than us over-consuming Millenials so maybe there's hope for the world yet.
On a personal level, I subscribe cause I want to support you for writing regularly and committing to turning up with a viewpoint.
Ps: stoked for you to get to a place where your writing pays for rent and bills. Thats a big win.
I worked as editor-in-chief of a German sneaker magazine and am still “on the road” in the industry today. Your book has inspired me immensely and opened my eyes to what consumption, artificial scarcity, and psychological effects have on us in terms of our need for recognition and self-perception.
I'm happy to pay for your Substack because you have a pleasant way of writing, always broaden my personal horizons, and give me new food for thought. Whether it's articles like the Million Dollar Speedy bag or the phenomenon behind Loro Piana — they have all made a massive impression on me and shown me things that I wasn't aware of before.
The only thing I would wish for: try to invite and interview more institutions and brands that are actively doing something against the negative development of the fashion industry.
Thank you
Rami
PS: If you have a job for me at a brand or institution that stands up for something like this, please let me know.
Hi Alec, happy subscriber from Rome, Italy. Really in love with your tone of voice, the way you write about really serious stuff being constantly easy and fun but focused on going deep into the subject is the thing I appreciate more about your work. I try to do my part in the responsible fashion space with an IG account where I write about it and I always take a lot of inspiration from you. I totally agree with your ideas about the level of fun and imperfection we all need to bring back into the sustainable fashion debate in order to achieve a real positive change in our habits as consumers and that is definitely the part of your work I appreciate the most.
I would love to read more stuff like the mfpen article or the interview about shoes craftsmanship but I think you are doing a great job trying not to use this newsletter as a sort of brand-endorsement space so keep up with it!
A Dutch fashion journalist and currently head of fashion branding at AMFI (fashion school in Amsterdam), Bregje Lampe has her own newsletter, Modelogica, where she shared a link to your newsletter and a bit on your work. That is how I got to follow your newsletter. I am currently not a paid subscriber, but did buy your book. Perhaps will turn into a paid subscriber soon. I am into fashion, sustainability and the economy/business side of it since I studied fashion design and have a master in economics. You are a very good writer, that is one of the reasons I follow you. I like the topics that you pick for your newsletter, they keep me updated on the more fashion side of the business in a understandable way. The length is mostly good, yet I only have time to read over the weekend. Though the book did not give me much new information because I am a professional in this field for 10 years, yet a lot of people less known to the topic can get a clear image of what is going on and that is also really important. Curious about your second book! Overall, keep up the good work, happy to read it!
I "found" you via the BoF podcast and then read your book (and reviewd it), I am writing about slow fashion 5 years now (https://franzmagazine.com/tag/slow-fashion/) and co-founded Fashion For Future Bolzano (https://fashionforfuture.bz.it/). I like your content and sometimes I quote from your newsletter. Its interesting and thorough. 😍
Hi there! I’m a paid sub from a small seaside town north of Boston. My mom runs a consignment store which I grew up working in and fell in love with fashion as a world. Went to parsons for a single semester after getting my BA from an essentially free state school, and became so disenchanted (traumatized even) during my time there. The wealth disparity of students, the lack of resources for low income folks, etc.
anyway, after “taking the next year off” (turned into leaving altogether) I felt like I needed a new relationship with fashion/clothing and struggled to find outlets which aligned values and ethics and honest conversations with some of the guilty pleasure that fashion can be. I heard you on the BOF podcast and immediately purchased your book. It felt like I finally found someone who did it!
I love learning about your personal experiences in the industry, how you navigate the complexity that is making conscious decisions and also just indulging. It’s awesome to read informed takes on where you think things are headed in existential ways and ALSO takes on specific brands/collections/products! I feel like I’m getting a micro and macro economics style of fashion content and it’s so fun.
I’ve also enjoyed Amy Odell’s work paired with yours, you both make fashion Substack a place I enjoy being. Please continue with what you’re doing, at this moment in time it’s a refreshing pocket of nuanced media amidst so many all-or-nothing headlines. Thanks for what you do!
Hello Alex!
I’m a designer running a small bag brand and about to add clothing to the mix. Your articles hit the key current issues of the industry and save me spending hours online trying to find decent writing, stats and opinions on the state of fashion.
It feels like there are very few small brands making proper waves so perhaps highlighting and interviewing these brands on a monthly spotlight could be good, hearing about other people’s journeys is always interesting. I love reading about sustainable food also as I feel the organic food industry is miles ahead of the sustainable fashion industry and there’s so much learning there that can be applied to fashion. Also, shop and city guides would be amazing!
I look forward to the newsletters so much, I take a tea break as soon as it lands in my inbox. I am really glad I signed up for the full subscription as you are doing a great job and it is definitely worth it! 👏🏻
this is very helpful, thank you!!
hey Alec, weirdly enough, i don't pay the newsletter here, but i bought your first book countless times and i keep offering it to people i value and think they should read it/ be aware -and i intend to continue to do so- i'm not sure what that might tell about me but, it's not the point. i definitely enjoy reading you on a more regular basis [vs from one book to the next let's say]. one thing i'd love to see you share more of would be: more personal stuff. like: your own journey, your wins and challenges these days, your doubts, how you navigate your own relationship with your current possessions [the purchases you're making as we speak; or typically the ones you're contemplating but not making at the end] etc...
this is so nice to hear, thank you!
Hi Alec, happy subscriber.
Funnily enough, I’m not actually that obsessive about fashion or sustainability - beyond valuing clothes that make me feel good and buying considerately when I can - but yours is one of the few substacks I actually read regularly, so make of that what you will..! I think I find this helpful to have a quick and honest insight into fashion without the hype and churn of somewhat undifferentiated stuff on IG.
I’ve always got on with the tone of your writing - it’s personal, unpretentious and insightful. I guess if anything I’ve been drawn to the insights you have shared on structural incentives within industries (ie design, production and media). I also enjoyed the more focused pieces you’ve done on brands doing sustainability better eg Mfpen, and I’ve found your reflections on our personal relationships with clothes pretty useful. while you cover fashion for all genders I do sort of appreciate when you focus particularly on menswear brands, as generally there seem to be fewer outlets doing this well (I’m a man though, so that would be my bias). More of? The above. Less of? Not sure.
Appreciate limited critique there but just wanted to offer that feedback. Congrats on what you have achieved here so far.
thank you!!
I second the part about brand spotlights! I quite literally bought a GANNI dress when I needed a new buy-it-for-life black one because of your piece on them. Was a lovely full circle!
Hi Alec!
I'm an Indian student recently graduated from studying MA sustainable fashion in London. I came across your book and newsletter during my course and I haven't put it down since. Not at all a book reader but the moment I found out about your book I purchased it and finished it in a couple of hours. I find your writing truly informative & genuine as you draw insights & observations from your own experiences which is super real as opposed to what to & what not to believe in this greenwashed industry. I eagerly look forward to reading your newsletters and to name a few ones that I've absolutely enjoyed reading & re-reading are the recent Loro Piana sweater scandal, what Ganni does right by doing carbon insetting, why Adidas wouldn't let Kanye go and Russian oil tainting fashion's supply chain. As a newbie in the sustainable fashion industry trying to find my path, I find your newsletters extremely informative & a great lens through which I can learn about the brands, supply chain, sustainability & culture. Moreover, I find your pieces less rebellious and calm which completely aligns with how I would like to have my stance in the industry.
Thank you so much for these newsletters and I look forward to more knowledge gain every week!
Cheers!
Love your writing Alec, I’m a very happy subscriber. But can’t imagine it’s easy for a single brain to pump out original, insightful, hard-hitting writing on a weekly basis. So I’d love to also hear from fashion industry insiders / brands / retailers / thought-leaders on the kinds of issues you write about. BBSP does that really well. Reckon you’d make a great interviewer!
seriously, it's started to get really exhausting pumping out original writing on a weekly basis (i'm also working on my second book) — i'll take insightful and hard-hitting as a compliment, though! definitely gonna start doing more interviews, thank you for the feedback! PS bbsp does many, many things very well. only substack i'm paying for right now !
Hi Alec, I find it amazing you manage to pay the rent from your newsletters. It is a sign you do a good job already in reaching people with great in-depth stories. I know first hand it is really hard to stay motivated doing this all alone. So I think doing more interviews and joint investigations might be a good way to stay energised. Don’t forget to join up with some of the great researchers in this field.
I am new to your newsletters but already looking forward to them. Guess I will start paying. PS not the fan of BBPS, I find much of it hot air
Happy subscriber! You’re actually the first Substack I’ve paid for.
I’ve followed you since you started with Hypebeast (did you do a bit on Fashionista too??), and enjoy your fluid, conversational tone of voice and how that allows you to simplify the messy concepts of fashion & sustainability. I also really enjoy how you discuss the menswear perspective and crack open the story that sustainability is just a womenswear issue. You’re doing great!
never did fashionista — you might be thinking whitney bauck, who killed it there. thanks for the feedback!
Hello Alec! There is one topic I would love to hear your perspective about: the risks and opportunities brands have of communicating publicly about their sustainability efforts & developments.
As someone who worked in fashion luxury and is currently about to start working for the Cradle to Cradle certification, I sense a great fear coming from brands for speaking out about this. This is due to the many cases of greenwashing, the lack of a universal guide of DO and DONTS on how to communicate about this, and because of the fact that most of these brands still have non-sustainable practices in other areas, so they prefer to avoid the risk of communicating about the things they are actually doing good, to avoid backlash. IMO I believe if we open the gap for brands to share their sustainable journey (without positioning themselves as 'sustainable' just because they replace nylon with econyl of course), their consumers will start having 'sustainability' more in mind, seeing this is important to their beloved brands.
Thank you for your insightful and down-to-earth words in every article!
Hi Alec, paying subscriber here,love your Substack!
I am a womenswear designer working in London, trying to design in a more planet positive way, and your newsletter is really helpful for my research.
I would love a regular feature where readers can ask for your take on current talking points within the realms of fashion & sustainability e.g. What are your thoughts on B-corp accreditation and do you think the fact that more fashion brands are receiving this certification devalues it as a concept?
Thanks so much,
Nadia
Hi Alec,
I'm Claudia from Peru. I work in Fashion Marketing. I came across this newsletter through your book. I love hearing your opinions on brands and sustainability. I appreciate that you did one specifically on Loro Piana; it caused quite a stir here in Peru.
I'm not subscribed yet, but I would like to hear more negative and constructive criticisms about brands and campaigns, as well as their production processes. Also, the overlooked issues in the fashion world. From my experience, I suggest sharing resources that work for you in the fashion industry, such as websites that inspire you, bibliography or virtual libraries, as well as what products you've been acquiring lately. That personal and valuable content can attract people to subscribe.
Personally, I'm working on a second-hand clothing project; it's in progress @itsfromchacracerro, and that kind of content is valuable from my perspective, and there might be others in the same situation. That's the recommendation I can give you.
Best of luck with everything!
I work in the fashion industry also and after Covid, the loss of a loved one and having children of my own, am struggling to find my new purpose in the midst of the worlds’ chaos. My perspectives and values are changing. My career in fashion and my curated “brand image” was everything to me but I now realize how shallow it is and is not something I want to define me. I love your writing because it is honest and relatable, speaking what a lot of us think but don’t have enough information to dive into. In Fashion, you offer alternative perspectives that is beyond greenwashing for people who care, but still want to express themselves in this space. I plan to subscribe after your recent piece on working for the bad guys because I want to hear more on how you think we can navigate and reinvent ourselves during these tough times.
Hey Alec, a bit late to the party here, buuuut I love your tone of writing. Its relatable, not too formal
(ie i feel you behind the type, its not AI Alec), its current and also helps that i agree wholeheartedly with the vibe of your content. THE WORLD IS ON FIRE.
I have a fashion brand for teens and tweens and we are all about inspiring these future consumers to maybe buy a few less pairs of shoes. The amazing thing is that they are way more on to it than us over-consuming Millenials so maybe there's hope for the world yet.
On a personal level, I subscribe cause I want to support you for writing regularly and committing to turning up with a viewpoint.
Ps: stoked for you to get to a place where your writing pays for rent and bills. Thats a big win.
Hi Alec,
I worked as editor-in-chief of a German sneaker magazine and am still “on the road” in the industry today. Your book has inspired me immensely and opened my eyes to what consumption, artificial scarcity, and psychological effects have on us in terms of our need for recognition and self-perception.
I'm happy to pay for your Substack because you have a pleasant way of writing, always broaden my personal horizons, and give me new food for thought. Whether it's articles like the Million Dollar Speedy bag or the phenomenon behind Loro Piana — they have all made a massive impression on me and shown me things that I wasn't aware of before.
The only thing I would wish for: try to invite and interview more institutions and brands that are actively doing something against the negative development of the fashion industry.
Thank you
Rami
PS: If you have a job for me at a brand or institution that stands up for something like this, please let me know.
Hi Alec, happy subscriber from Rome, Italy. Really in love with your tone of voice, the way you write about really serious stuff being constantly easy and fun but focused on going deep into the subject is the thing I appreciate more about your work. I try to do my part in the responsible fashion space with an IG account where I write about it and I always take a lot of inspiration from you. I totally agree with your ideas about the level of fun and imperfection we all need to bring back into the sustainable fashion debate in order to achieve a real positive change in our habits as consumers and that is definitely the part of your work I appreciate the most.
I would love to read more stuff like the mfpen article or the interview about shoes craftsmanship but I think you are doing a great job trying not to use this newsletter as a sort of brand-endorsement space so keep up with it!
Roberto
Hi Alec,
A Dutch fashion journalist and currently head of fashion branding at AMFI (fashion school in Amsterdam), Bregje Lampe has her own newsletter, Modelogica, where she shared a link to your newsletter and a bit on your work. That is how I got to follow your newsletter. I am currently not a paid subscriber, but did buy your book. Perhaps will turn into a paid subscriber soon. I am into fashion, sustainability and the economy/business side of it since I studied fashion design and have a master in economics. You are a very good writer, that is one of the reasons I follow you. I like the topics that you pick for your newsletter, they keep me updated on the more fashion side of the business in a understandable way. The length is mostly good, yet I only have time to read over the weekend. Though the book did not give me much new information because I am a professional in this field for 10 years, yet a lot of people less known to the topic can get a clear image of what is going on and that is also really important. Curious about your second book! Overall, keep up the good work, happy to read it!
Hi Alex,
I "found" you via the BoF podcast and then read your book (and reviewd it), I am writing about slow fashion 5 years now (https://franzmagazine.com/tag/slow-fashion/) and co-founded Fashion For Future Bolzano (https://fashionforfuture.bz.it/). I like your content and sometimes I quote from your newsletter. Its interesting and thorough. 😍
Hi there! I’m a paid sub from a small seaside town north of Boston. My mom runs a consignment store which I grew up working in and fell in love with fashion as a world. Went to parsons for a single semester after getting my BA from an essentially free state school, and became so disenchanted (traumatized even) during my time there. The wealth disparity of students, the lack of resources for low income folks, etc.
anyway, after “taking the next year off” (turned into leaving altogether) I felt like I needed a new relationship with fashion/clothing and struggled to find outlets which aligned values and ethics and honest conversations with some of the guilty pleasure that fashion can be. I heard you on the BOF podcast and immediately purchased your book. It felt like I finally found someone who did it!
I love learning about your personal experiences in the industry, how you navigate the complexity that is making conscious decisions and also just indulging. It’s awesome to read informed takes on where you think things are headed in existential ways and ALSO takes on specific brands/collections/products! I feel like I’m getting a micro and macro economics style of fashion content and it’s so fun.
I’ve also enjoyed Amy Odell’s work paired with yours, you both make fashion Substack a place I enjoy being. Please continue with what you’re doing, at this moment in time it’s a refreshing pocket of nuanced media amidst so many all-or-nothing headlines. Thanks for what you do!
that's really interesting to read! thank you, i appreciate it a lot!