Required Reading: Why "My Fair Vanity"?, R29 & Ecocult explain the cost of an organic t-shirt, and more

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H&M says it wants to begin guaranteeing a living wage to the workers in its factories-- what they mean by "living wage" and how they propose to do it is unclear, but I'm happy to hear they are thinking about it...? (NYT)

Alden Wicker of Ecocult explains the high cost of an organic t-shirt on Refinery29. (R29)

Stephanie Clifford of the NYT examines the ‘Made in U.S.A.’ Premium . Take away: "it is the shoppers who will make this movement [towards American-made goods] succeed or fail." (NYT)

Luke Leitch discusses why "ethical fashion only works when it appeals to our vanity as much as our conscience."  This is an older article, but it goes a long way towards explaining the rationale behind the name of my blog,  its content, and why it's challengin but certainly not impossible to be fashion-conscious and eco-conscious. (Telegraph)

If you haven't finished up your holiday shopping, shop sustainably and stylishly for everyone on your list using one of the 175+ gift ideas for Mom, Dad, Tots, and more in My Fair Gift Guide. 

Required Reading is a series in which I share what I've been reading, something that inspires me, or maybe a little something I've learned that has helped me in my quest to lead a life that is kind to the earth and the people on it. See more here.

Required Reading {Dystopic Futures, Sustainable Style, and Fast Fashion in Bangladesh}

Today I'm introducing a new feature on My Fair Vanity. I'd like to take a moment each week to share what I've been reading, what inspires me, and maybe a little something I've learned that has helped me in my quest to lead a life that is kind to the earth and the people on it.


The Glamourai + Maiyet

I've been a fan of The Glamourai for many years, and it's been heartening to see creator Kelly Framel elevate the blogging platform with her meticulous, editorial approach to fashion and styling. This past week, Kelly outdid herself in a way that means a lot to me, and I think you'll appreciate it, too.

Kelly created a stunning visual landscape and populated it with three striking women to highlight Maiyet's kind, sustainable approach to luxury clothing and accessories. Maiyet is a new clothing line that partners with non-profit Nest in order to build capacity for artisan communities around the world, celebrating ideals like craftsmanship, prosperity and stability. Take the time to read through this four-part series and I promise you won't be disappointed.


Margaret Atwood's Maddadam Series

Margaret Atwood is an incredibly versatile and compelling writer, sliding easily between romance, satire, mystery, science fiction and historical fiction. In the Maddaddam series, Atwood takes our current technological advances in science and communications and proposes possible consequences that are at once bizarre and eerily plausible. Her story is set in a world in which the political and financial power of multinational corporations is ascendant and young people compete to get into the best corporate-sponsored universities. Heavy on the satire but equally heavy in her faith in the power of love and community, the series is both a scathing cultural critique and a message of hope.

The last book in the series, Maddaddam, came out just this month, so you don't have to wait to read the whole trilogy all at once. If you finish the series and you're looking for more Atwood, I'd start with either The Handmaid's Tale or Alias Grace.

 

Bangladesh: The Real Cost of Fast Fashion

Under a grant from the Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting, journalist Jason Motlagh reports from Bangladesh on the still-flimsy factory inspections process, a toxic leather industry, and the devastating long-term effects of the Rana Plaza factory collapse. Motlagh paints a picture that stands in stark contrast to the exuberant announcements of newly signed safety agreements we've seen in the past few months from both U.S. and European retailers, and I plan to check on this project regularly.