Folklore Societys Anniversary Gig

Fast Fashion Loop

A species that gobbles through its resources faster and faster, stimulated by a "system" that needs more and more participants because its supported and is the tool of a bank system that is kept afloat by creating debt  so it can feed itself on interest. And as part of the system tries to then grow..I think the mind of the system has been trapped in a loop. Despite all the tech and tools or maybe because of them- the species itself  hasn't had what it takes to dismantle its mistaken identity.

https://aeon.co/videos/this-is-the-final-resting-place-of-your-cast-off-clothing

ReFashion Workshops

Sweatshop Disasters

Fashion -what you see is only the tip of a vast machine!

The recent tragedy in Bangladesh reminds me of another sweatshop disaster.

The one I am referencing was in New York City, 1911 and claimed the lives of 146 women. That Triangle Shirtwaist fire was so horrifying to the people of the city that they demanded changes in regulations and policies.

“Three months after the fire, Governor John A. Dix signed a law creating the Factory Investigating Commission. Following the findings of the commission, the New York State Legislature enacted 36 statutes to regulate workplace fire safety and ventilation, and to set minimum standards for working women and children.”

( Cooper, C, Remembering the Triangle Shirtwaist Fire, 100 Years Later)  

This helped the Unions gather the strength they needed to push for fair wages and decent working conditions.

Like the garment workers in Bangladesh, the women were locked into the building with little heed paid to their well being as whole human beings.

Back to NYC back in the day- workers were considered  by some people as "things" to be used and tossed aside when their usefulness was over.  As many of the women were immigrants (insourced workers)  this parallels outsource capitalism in a weird way.

Cheap transportation (subsidized oil) allows stuff to be shipped to consumers at rates that undermine local goods and labor. This is a matter of relativity that the Free Trade dogma ignores in pursuit of market advantage. Considered "good for the economy" aka good for the people who take 'advantage" of  the resources around them while giving back as little as possible; it in fact depletes the economic "soil" similar to the chem subsidy our food crops have endured. And like the story of the food crops, depleted soils become dead soils aka deserts.

So outsource is akin to the tactics employed by the Industrialists as they "designed" immigration policy. But now instead of importing labor, companies can just import the products. This minimizes their responsibility for the conditions that the worker's endure and many other possible risks and problems..

However the backbone of this story that revolves around wealth, power, entitlement and dominion over others includes the right to lord it over the Earth, animals and plants as well. This story is older than nations and yet it continues..

So despite it's age, the story is still honed, redressed and passed forward. It continues to protect hierarchy and reward wealth as it's own raison d'etre. It isn't.

 Stopping abuse in sweatshops is just one facet of this many layered mess. However it is something we can take on.

.Stop buying clothing unless it is totally needed. Ask stores where the Fair Trade goods are kept. Ask who and how the items were made. Try to discuss product lifecycles.

You will be cajoled, laughed at, ignored or you just might strike up a conversation that will make your day.

I know this. I do it and have seen more good energy than else , so I recommend this action.

Want more: See if there is a sewing group in your area or start one. Discuss cool things to make out of other things that are no longer useful. Search the refashion and recycouture blogs and websites for ideas, inspiration.  Practice what you believe.

As for Bangladesh, my heart goes out to all those who are suffering, all those who have been harmed by product madness. I am sending out healing energy thoughts, sending out love.

So now I wonder, if this time, as in after the Triangle Fire, policies and regulations will be changed to support the human beings who trade their time and energy in hope of fair and adequate compensation. I hope that this time we will turn from the pushy profiteering model and design an economic platform that honors life.

I wonder if this time we will start the evolution towards a super conscious reality. I wonder and I am believing we will. So get out there and make some righteous noise!!

Vintage and Handmade

More is going on in Detroit than those most excellent urban gardeners, the recliamers of post industrial land. Dolly Rocker's Vintage and Handmade fashion and accessories deserve some spot in the Detroit headlights, too.

The street up urbanscape creatives that are ecosystem recyclers and innovators are the design masters of this era. We are the post industrial, beyond additive techno actionaries that understand humans need real sensory contact with other humans, real food enhanced by nature not patented chemical pretenders and clothing that is re-appreciated or made new by the hand of someone who cares. That is about the energy of the whole, not just the "product."

We are made of stars, lets act accordingly! .

Detroit Dolly

Dolly Rocker Lookfound on Etsy!
part of the Detroit reDux ...the city that is about urban reclaim and soon to be the home of the US Social Forum 2010, is where Cara Lundgren does refashion and vintage upcycles that are on Etsy right now.

I am loving it! i remember the first time i saw Doc Marten meet a nostalgic floral; aah yes! These Grunge heyday re-ups are about looking forward and that Feminine /Masculine mix feels right ...especially now (the integrated self brings forth the connected world view).

Maybe Detroit will be the City of Sustainable Styling?
In Cara's immortal words "More shameless self promotion... a girls got to make a living! http://www.etsy.com/shop/detroitdolly"
damn straight!

Night Class

This class was just added. It will start October 22 from 6-9; 12 hours at $110. Work on a project of your own choosing with individual instruction. Bring your sewing machine or use one provided by the great people of the NW Senior center.
The sewing machine with the great Fgyptian motif was my grandmother's.

Dandified Bears

Recycled sweaters make suave bears and are the handiwork of the local Creative Goddess. Email me for more information-they are for sale.