Fixing Fashion offers brilliant insight into all that is broken in the apparel industry. Michael Lavergne’s brave and honest telling of what really goes on behind the scenes is an eye-opener that fuels the impetus for change. His thorough political and historical depiction that spans centuries makes for a powerfully evocative narrative that is crucial to solving the many problems facing the fashion industry. In order to fix what is broken, we must first learn how it came to be broken.
—Kelly Drennan, Founding Executive Director, Fashion Takes Action
A must-read for for every designer and apparel executive who does not yet have full transparency in their supply chain. Fixing Fashion outlines how exploitation has been entrenched in the apparel industry for over a century. Lavergne then uses this historical context to map opportunities for longterm change, including a long list of change makers who are redefining fashion.
—Kate Black, author, Magnifeco: Your Head-to-Toe Guide to Ethical Fashion and Non-toxic Beauty
Fixing Fashion is a fascinating personal and historical journey through the complex web of clothing supply chains. Author Michael Lavergne urges us to reflect on how we are linked, through that web, to people around the world (including millions of children) who are embedded in the clothes that we wear. The book is a compelling call to government, business and all of us towards increased transparency and greater action to ensure more just and sustainable supply chains.
—Harry Kits, Senior Advisor Corporate Engagement, World Vision Canada
A rare insider’s globetrotting tour of the ethically challenged, complex, contradictory, and maddening global fashion industry. If you’ve ever wondered how an industry with so much potential to do so much good could permit thousands of vulnerable workers to needlessly die at Rona Plaza in Bangladesh, read Michael Lavergne’s highly personal wakeup call.
—Dr. David Doorey, Professor of Labour Law and Supply Chain Governance, York University, Toronto
Through his seasoned and humble eyes, Michael Lavergne offers a rare glimpse into the complexities of the apparel industry in his book Fixing Fashion. Taking us through compelling stories from his personal experiences, and layering on news accounts of landmark human rights and environmental events in recent history, Michael invites us to question our assumptions about where our clothing comes from and how we, as consumers, can make better choices going forward. This is a must-read book for anyone who cares about the human and environmental toll of our clothing and the companies behind the labels.
—Amy Hall, Director, Social Consciousness, EILEEN FISHER
Who makes our clothes? How are they designed and marketed? After the shocking Rana Plaza factory collapse in 2013, people started asking these pertinent questions. Michael Lavergne’s book Fixing Fashion soberly dissects the ‘fast fashion’ industry and looks at how to fix it. This should be compulsory reading for decision makers, designers and consumers.
—Paul Dewar, Member of Parliament Ottawa Centre, Foreign Affairs Critic for the NDP
His unique perspective as an industry insider who has travelled the world sourcing goods for global clothing brands gives us both a first-hand view of the social and environmental problems in apparel manufacturing as well as a deep understanding of why they persist. Lavergne’s account will inform and inspire students of business and international development as well as present and future business leaders who will be called upon to tackle the serious and complex problems he uncovers. Thankfully Lavergne’s detailed account also points towards paths for change.
—Kevin Thomas, LLM | Director of Shareholder Engagement, SHARE - Shareholder Association for Research & Education
In Fixing Fashion, Michael Lavergne offers a rare insider view of how the globalized garment industry works and why worker rights abuses are so endemic to that industry. He also offers hope that fundamental change is possible.
—Bob Jeffcott, Policy Analyst, Maquila Solidarity Network