Week 2: What Now?, Today & Tomorrow (pg 1- 43) We will discuss the chapters at our first book club meeting this Sunday. Please note that the event is now booked out for this discussion group (bookings are essential for each meeting and spots are limited).  However these questions will also be posted on our Face Book and Insta for discussion.

Questions for discussion:

What Now?

1. Was there a “reset” after COVID for you?
2. Did your view on consumerism of fashion shift?
3. Looking at the world around us and listening to others, are we moving towards a future where consumers value social responsibility, individuality, and creativity? Do we collectively consider these values when making decisions?
4. In your opinion, how do you see the future of fashion?

Today

1. What are you wearing right now?
2. Why did you choose this outfit?
3. Does what you wear tell others how you wish to see the world?
4. If we created a fashion museum to educate people on fashion what would you like to see on display? And why is this? ( One thing from history or in your own closet)
5. The concept in the book "Fashion Commons" is mentioned. The Commons is " An alternative to top-down individualism. Based on collaboration, shared resource management for collective benefit.  To  understand it better this is the link to the Commons web site.  We won't get to into this yet as there is a chapter on this later in Chapter 7.  
6. “Not to be too depressing, I think because we live in a capitalist society where shareholders want paying, not much will change”(pg15). or will it be "Dismantled" (see pg 25) Discuss.

Dismantled - "not dominated by big business, where our creativity comes back to us, where we reclaim our relationships with Earth, with our fellow beings, with community."

Tomorrow 

1.  Li Edelkoort - a "clairvoyant" of fashion. She is facinating, if you want to see how she makes her predictions I recommend watching : Luminaries of our Times – Lidewij Edelkoort
2. What do you think of her predictions (p 31-32)? 
3. Why do we do this (forecasting)? Is it important?
4.  Li Edelkoort  predicts that " an animistic approach will gradually transform people into collectors and collaborators versus consumers." - What do you think? 

Animism - (from Latin: anima meaning 'breath, spirit, life') is the belief that objects, places, and creatures all possess a distinct spiritual essence.

1. Trends? 80's & 90's vs today - What is happening (p40)?
2.  Are we beyond trends, now that everything moves so fast and there is so much choice?
3. Read the Future Laboratory's mood board p40-41 and also have a look at this link The Future Laboratory's insta . Thoughts?

Does this Instagram account, curated by trendsetting leaders, suggest that we've lost a defining element that characterized fashion moments, akin to the distinctive styles of the 80s and 90s?

1. Do you think we are in a "Paralysis Paradox"? Suggested reading is an article  by The Future Laboratory:  "How should brands and businesses respond to The Paralysis Paradox"? .

Paralysis theory describes an individual or group process where overanalyzing or overthinking a situation can cause forward motion or decision-making to become "paralyzed", meaning that no solution or course of action is decided upon within a natural time frame.

Next week:

Week 3: You Choose 1. Conscious (pg 47- 64)

How exciting, we are doing a book club!!!!!  :D 

This week is all about giving you an introduction on what the book is about , the author and the topic matter &  how to get the book.

Why are we having a book club?

We hope to forge a united, supportive, and captivating community for those who share a passion for knowledge and aspire to become more knowledgeable about ethical fashion.

Format:

Very, very informal and a slow read as its more about digging into each topic. Perfect for the " I am not really a reader" type of book club.

No sign ups, just occasional meet ups (see at end of this blog for our first one), and you only need to come when you want. No obligations. 

Every Friday we will focus all our social media posts on the topic chapters we have read for discussion.

We do this because we want to be advocates for ethical fashion. 

How fast you read the book is up to you. You can even just read the topics you want to be involved in. However, please note the topics for our meet ups will reflect the chapters we are reading that week.

This is our reading schedule for the entire book club:

January -  Unveiling the Fashion Ecosystem 

Week 1: Get the book! 

Week 2: What Now?, Today & Tomorrow (pg 1- 43)

Week 3: You Choose 1. Conscious (pg 47- 64)

Week 4: You Choose . 2. Fair (pg 67-82)

At the start of the year, we'll introduce you to the visionary Clare Press and set the stage for understanding the current state of the fashion industry.

February - Its all about LOVE

Week 5: You Choose . 3. Slow  & 4. Even Faster (pg 85-117)  

Week 6: You Choose 5. 7 Upcycled (pg 119 - 151)

Week 7: You Choose . 6. Community &. 7. Less (pg 137 - 166)

Week 8: You Choose . 8. Local and 9. Global (pg169 - 196)

In the month of love, we'll fall head over heels for the innovators and creative thinkers who are redesigning fashion from the ground up. Join our discussions on the groundbreaking solutions presented in "Wear Next" and be inspired by the possibilities. Plus, we will have an expert session with a local sustainable fashion guru! This month we will have a upcycle class and a fashion swap.

March -  Envisioning the Future of Fashion

Week 9: You Choose . 10 Traceable (pg 199 - 209)

Week 10: You Choose . 11 Repaired & 12 Shared (pg 211- 235)

Week 12: You Choose . 13 Regenerative & 14 Biointeligent  (pg 237 - 264)

In the final stretch, We'll delve into the future of work in the fashion industry and explore the impact of sustainable practices on employment. You will have the opportunity to engage in a hands-on workshop, to experiment with sustainable fashion DIY, and witness firsthand the transformative power of conscious choices

April - How far is too far with technology in fashion?. And then reflection and Review 

Week 13: You Choose .15  Robotic  (pg 267 - 276)

Week 14: You Choose . 16 Digital (pg 279 - 294)

Week 15: FASHION REVOLUTION WEEK - Reflection and Review

Our journey culminates in how far technology has come. We will then have a reflection on the transformative insights gained from "Wear Next."   

This is the book:

To get a copy simply search "wear next fashioning the future" in google and a list will come up of various book stores and suppliers. I got mine through QBD Books at Charlestown - They ordered my copy for me, their phone number is  (02) 4910 0419.

About the author:

Clare Press is a Sydney-based sustainability communicator, filmmaker, author and presenter.

Clare was the first ever VOGUE Sustainability Editor (Vogue Australia, 2018-2020) - a pioneering role in international media.

She was also the first Global Ambassador for the Ellen MacArthur Foundation’s Make Fashion Circular initiative, and has been a member of Australian advisory board of Fashion Revolution since 2014. She sits on Copenhagen Fashion Week’s Sustainability Advisory Board, and is part of Fashion Roundtable in the UK. In 2019, she won the a Sustainability Champion Award from the New South Wales government.

What’s the book all about?

Wear Next imagines 16 scenarios for our fashion future, from slowed down, upcycled & community-based to fast-paced and AI-enabled, from local to global, regenerative & biointelligent.

Kinda like a “choose your own adventure” - Clare Press

It’s a provocation & an invitation: what kind of fashion future do YOU want to be part of?

What others are saying...

You are invited  to a literary adventure that transcends pages and stitches together a narrative of change – with the book "Wear Next" by Clare Press.

At the intersection of style and sustainability, Vogue's first sustainability editor, Clare Press, takes us on a transformative journey through the tangled threads of the fashion industry in her book, "Wear Next." Are you ready to unravel the mysteries of our clothing choices and discover a more sustainable path? While meeting like minded friends along the way.

👗 What to Expect:

It will be a very, very informal and a slow read as its more about digging into each topic. Perfect for the " I am not really a reader" type of book club.

No sign ups, just occasional meet ups (see at end of this blog for our first one), and you only need to come when you want. No obligations. 

How fast you read the book is up to you, however and the topics for our meet ups will reflect the chapters in the time frame as we are exploring it. This is our reading schedule for this month:

January -  Introduction and Unveiling the Fashion Ecosystem 

Week 1: Get the book! 

Week 2: What Now?, Today & Tomorrow (pg 1- 43)

Week 3: You Choose 1. Conscious (pg 47- 64)

Week 4: You Choose . 2. Fair (pg 67-82)

At the start of the year, we'll introduce you to the visionary Clare Press and set the stage for understanding the current state of the fashion industry.

Share your fashion journey with fellow members and explore the wasteful aspects of the industry.

February - Its all about LOVE

Week 5: You Choose . 3. Slow  & 4. Even Faster (pg 85-117)  

Week 6: You Choose 5. 7 Upcycled (pg 119 - 151)

Week 7: You Choose . 6. Community &. 7. Less (pg 137 - 166)

Week 8: You Choose . 8. Local and 9. Global (pg169 - 196)

In the month of love, we'll fall head over heels for the innovators and creative thinkers who are redesigning fashion from the ground up. Join our discussions on the groundbreaking solutions presented in "Wear Next" and be inspired by the possibilities. Plus, we will have an expert session with a local sustainable fashion guru! This month we will have a upcycle class and a fashion swap. 

March -  Envisioning the Future of Fashion

Week 9: You Choose . 10 Traceable (pg 199 - 209)

Week 10: You Choose . 11 Repaired & 12 Shared (pg 211- 235)

Week 12: You Choose . 13 Regenerative & 14 Biointeligent  (pg 237 - 264)

In the final stretch, We'll delve into the future of work in the fashion industry and explore the impact of sustainable practices on employment. You will have the opportunity to engage in a hands-on workshop, to experiment with sustainable fashion DIY, and witness firsthand the transformative power of conscious choices

April - How far is too far with technology in fashion?. And then reflection and Review 

Week 13: You Choose .15  Robotic  (pg 267 - 276)

Week 14: You Choose . 16 Digital (pg 279 - 294)

Week 15: FASHION REVOLUTION WEEK - Reflection and Review

Our journey culminates in how far technology has come. We will then have a reflection on the transformative insights gained from "Wear Next."   

****It's not just a book club; it's a community fostering sustainable fashion enthusiasts.*** - Yvie

Why Join the "Wear Next" Book Club?

🌱 Deep Dive into Sustainable Fashion: Discover the world of sustainable fashion through a lens that goes beyond trends. Gain insights into the innovators shaping a brighter future for the industry.

🤝 Community Engagement: Connect with like-minded individuals passionate about sustainable living. Share your fashion journey, learn from others, and be part of a community driving change.

🎓 Interactive Workshops and Guest Speakers: Immerse yourself in engaging discussions, workshops, and sessions with experts in sustainable fashion. It's not just about reading; it's about living and breathing a sustainable lifestyle.

💡 Inspiration for Action: Equip yourself with practical knowledge and creative ideas to integrate sustainable choices into your daily life. From DIY sessions to envisioning a sustainable fashion future, we're not just readers; we're doers.

How to Join:

1. Get Your Copy: Grab a copy of "Wear Next" by Clare Press from your favorite bookstore or library.
2. Sign Up: Each Friday, simply just check out our social media platforms; Facebook or Insta for key event dates, live feeds and discussion topics. 
3. Mark Your Calendar:  As we progress we will post the key dates and you can choose which of the events you want to participate in. 

Are you ready to transform your wardrobe and mindset? Join the "Wear Next" Book Club, where fashion meets sustainability, and together, we'll weave a tale of positive change. 🌿✨

Let's make fashion a force for good!

💚

Yvie xo

#WearNextBookClub #SustainableFashionRevolution #FashionRevolution