Will Lasry, a Montreal-based designer and founder of Glass Factory, dives into the intricacies of clothing manufacturing. He unpacks how distressed denim is made and discusses the rising trend of 'Made in India' over traditional labels. The conversation sheds light on ethical issues like Xinjiang cotton and the environmental impacts of production. Lasry's mission for transparency in fashion is central, as he highlights the challenges of globalization and the critical role of communication in the journey from design to market.
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Design Process
Begin your design process by visiting factories and examining their latest innovations.
Use these innovations as inspiration for your designs, this ensures manufacturability.
insights INSIGHT
Hidden Complexities
Big brands often struggle with hidden manufacturing complexities.
These issues are rarely discussed openly as brands prefer showcasing finished products.
insights INSIGHT
Cost Factor
Manufacturing location is primarily determined by cost, even for luxury goods.
Luxury brands aim to create the best product at the lowest possible price to maintain high margins.
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The Fabric of Civilization delves into the history and global effects of fabric-making, dyeing, the clothing trade, and other textile-related activities. The book covers topics such as the origins of string and fabric, the value of purple in the Roman Empire, the importance of fabrics for armies and warships, the development of weaving, and the role of textile merchants in modern political economy. It also discusses historical espionage related to textiles, such as Spain's monopoly on vibrant reds and French efforts to steal Indian indigo. The book is divided into sections on fiber, thread, cloth, dye, traders, consumers, and innovators, providing a detailed and academic treatment of the subject.
This is a show about globalization, fashion design, and the future of manufacturing-based economic growth.
For a breather from the election chaos, ChinaTalk interviewed Will Lasry, Montreal-based designer, manufacturing specialist, and founder of Glass Factory. Will and his team are on a mission to make manufacturing transparent. They fly all around the world making documentaries on clothing factories and playing matchmaker between designers and producers. Check out his Youtube channel here.
We discuss:
How clothes are made, including the complicated processes behind distressed denim and other trends;
What makes a country an ideal destination for manufacturing clothing, and whether rising labor costs will drive the industry out of China entirely;
Xinjiang cotton, environmental destruction, and other unethical practices hanging over the fashion industry;
Why Gucci and other high-end designers are betting that “Made in India” will soon be even more chic than “Made in Italy.”
Co-hosting today is longtime ChinaTalk editor Irene Zhang.
ChinaTalk 
