Clotheshorse with Amanda Lee McCarty
Episode 236: Ripped From the Headlines...
Release Date: June 11, 2025

Introduction: A Themed Yet Multifaceted Episode

In Episode 236 of Clotheshorse with Amanda Lee McCarty, host Amanda Lee McCarty embarks on a dynamic exploration of current events impacting the fashion and retail industries. Breaking away from a single cohesive theme, Amanda intertwines multiple pressing topics, offering listeners a comprehensive and engaging discourse on the state of the industry and the broader societal implications.

1. Amanda’s UN Experience: Bridging Fashion and Sustainability

Amanda recounts her recent trip to the United Nations, where she attended the UN Fashion and Lifestyle Network Annual Meeting. This event, dedicated to advancing sustainable development goals, featured various panel discussions and presentations on sustainability within the fashion sector.

• Feelings of Amazement: “I actually was shocked by how big it was. Really intense security to get into the building. But once you’re in there... it felt kind of magical” (02:30).
• Key Takeaways:
  • Power of Collaboration: “We. You and me and everyone we know... we actually have the power to change all of these things” (15:45).
  • Grassroots vs. Big Corporations: Amanda emphasizes that significant sustainability progress often stems from individuals and small brands rather than large corporations, which remain largely unaccountable for their environmental and social impacts.

2. The Remake Incident: Navigating Misinformation and Trauma

Amanda delves into a personal and traumatic experience involving Remake, an organization associated with sustainable fashion. A misleading social media post falsely attributed statements about her mental health and shopping habits, causing significant distress.

• Expressing Her Struggle: “I was so embarrassed and deeply ashamed and felt so powerless to do anything about it” (07:10).
• Impact on Trust: The incident heightened Amanda’s anxiety around engaging with large organizations, leading her to question invitations and affiliations within the sustainable fashion community.

3. Progress and Challenges of the Fashion Act

Amanda provides an update on her advocacy for the Fashion Act in New York, a legislative effort aimed at improving labor conditions and promoting sustainability in the fashion industry.

• Legislative Hurdles: “Passing legislation is really, really hard... it was great progress that makes me think it’s going to get passed next year” (30:20).
• Current Status: Although the Act did not pass in the current session, the increase in co-sponsors to 69 in the Assembly and 24 in the Senate signals promising momentum for the next legislative cycle.
• Broader Implications: Amanda underscores the necessity of legislative support to hold large corporations accountable, complementing grassroots efforts to drive industry change.

4. Corporate Accountability: CEOs Failing Upwards

A recurring theme in the episode is the disparity between the job security of top executives versus frontline employees. Amanda critiques the phenomenon where CEOs often remain insulated from repercussions despite poor company performance.

• Personal Anecdote: “The people at the top had the greatest job security, whereas the people at the bottom... could lose our job at any moment” (50:55).
• Systemic Issues: This dynamic contributes to a lack of accountability at the highest levels of corporations, perpetuating cycles of poor decision-making and employee dissatisfaction.

5. The Target Turmoil: Pride Collection Disaster and Business Decline

Amanda offers a critical examination of Target’s recent business strategies, focusing on the mishandling of their Pride collection and its broader ramifications on the company’s reputation and sales.

• Pride Collection Mishaps:

  • Product Flaws: Amanda highlights instances where Target released products with placeholder tags and typos, necessitating costly recalls. “It was a group of items from the Pride collection that were called, like, be authentic... but they had egregious typos” (85:45).
  • Impact on Consumer Trust: The mishaps led to increased scrutiny and diminished trust among consumers, exacerbating existing sales declines.

• Business Challenges:

  • Sales Decline: Target reported a significant drop in sales, with the first quarter of the year showing a 6% decrease compared to the previous year. “They expect the whole year that they will do less sales than last year, which is a bad thing” (120:10).
  • Store Management Issues: Persistent understaffing has led to empty shelves and a poor shopping experience, further driving customers away.
  • Leadership Critique: Amanda attributes these issues to CEO Brian Cornell’s poor decision-making, emphasizing the lack of direct consequences for executives despite ongoing corporate struggles.

6. The Ripple Effect: Closed Brands and Intellectual Property Sales

Amanda explores the trend of bankrupt retail brands being resurrected primarily through the sale of their intellectual property (IP) to other companies, often resulting in diminished brand integrity and consumer trust.

• Case Studies:

  • Joanne’s Closure and Aftermath: After Joanne’s stores closed, Michaels acquired the brand's IP, leading to confusion and disappointment among loyal customers. “They bought the right to put those labels on yarn that they bought from other factories” (180:30).
  • Toys R Us and Bed Bath & Beyond: Similar patterns emerged with these brands, where IP sales did not translate into the revival of the original brand experience, often leading to consumer disillusionment.

• Consumer Confusion and Brand Dilution: The acquisition of IP without preserving the original quality and essence of the brand results in subpar products and customer dissatisfaction. “Toys R Us is back... like a huge, exciting announcement, but the store's kinda run down” (200:50).

7. Torrid’s Decline: The Shrinking Plus-Size Retail Landscape

Amanda discusses the challenges facing Torrid, a prominent plus-size retailer, highlighting its plans to close 180 stores due to declining sales and profitability.

• Business Downturn: Q1 sales were down by 5% year-over-year, leading to significant store closures. “The company announced that it’s going to close 180 stores this year, even more next year” (220:15).

• Industry Impact: With major plus-size retailers like Lane Bryant and Avenue also closing physical stores, consumers have fewer options for plus-size shopping, exacerbating issues of body inclusivity in retail.

• Leadership and Strategy Failures: Amanda criticizes Torrid’s focus on online shopping and poor in-store experiences, arguing that these decisions do not align with customer needs or market trends. “They’re not making the right decisions about product and they’re probably not making the right decisions about pricing” (230:45).

8. Broader Societal Issues: Fatphobia and Corporate Responsibility

The episode also delves into the societal ramifications of corporate policies and public discourse, particularly focusing on fatphobia and the stigmatization of larger body sizes.

• Rise of Fatphobia: Amanda links the decline of inclusive brands to a broader societal trend of increasing body shaming and fatphobia, exacerbated by political climates and online harassment. “People are screaming it out loud... they are becoming more fatphobic” (250:30).
• Call to Action: She urges consumers to harness their purchasing power to support ethical brands that embrace inclusivity and to resist corporations perpetuating harmful biases. “We need to work together to make sure that brands do the right thing... we can all harness that power” (275:10).

Conclusion: Empowering Change Through Collective Action

Amanda concludes the episode by reinforcing the central theme that individuals hold significant power to effect change within the fashion and retail industries. By making informed purchasing decisions, spreading awareness, and supporting ethical brands, consumers can drive the industry towards greater sustainability and inclusivity.

• Hope and Collaboration: “I believe in us and the enormous potential of what we can do together” (290:00).
• Resilience in Advocacy: Despite the challenges and setbacks discussed, Amanda remains optimistic about the collective ability to push back against corporate malpractices and advocate for a more ethical and inclusive future in fashion.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps:

• “I actually was shocked by how big it was. Really intense security to get into the building. But once you’re in there... it felt kind of magical” — Amanda at 02:30
• “We. You and me and everyone we know... we actually have the power to change all of these things” — Amanda at 15:45
• “I was so embarrassed and deeply ashamed and felt so powerless to do anything about it” — Amanda at 07:10
• “Passing legislation is really, really hard... it was great progress that makes me think it’s going to get passed next year” — Amanda at 30:20
• “The people at the top had the greatest job security, whereas the people at the bottom... could lose our job at any moment” — Amanda at 50:55
• “It was a group of items from the Pride collection that were called, like, be authentic... but they had egregious typos” — Amanda at 85:45
• “They expect the whole year that they will do less sales than last year, which is a bad thing” — Amanda at 120:10
• “They bought the right to put those labels on yarn that they bought from other factories” — Amanda at 180:30
• “They’re not making the right decisions about product and they’re probably not making the right decisions about pricing” — Amanda at 230:45
• “People are screaming it out loud... they are becoming more fatphobic” — Amanda at 250:30
• “We need to work together to make sure that brands do the right thing... we can all harness that power” — Amanda at 275:10
• “I believe in us and the enormous potential of what we can do together” — Amanda at 290:00

Key Insights and Conclusions:

• Collective Consumer Power: Individuals possess significant influence over corporate practices through informed purchasing and advocacy.
• Corporate Accountability: There is a critical need for increased accountability among high-level executives to ensure ethical and sustainable business practices.
• Inclusivity and Sustainability: Brands that prioritize inclusivity and sustainability not only align with ethical standards but also cater to a growing consumer demand for responsible fashion.
• Legislative Support: Legislative measures, such as the Fashion Act, are essential to complement grassroots efforts in driving systemic change within the fashion industry.
• Navigating Corporate Failures: The trend of selling intellectual property during corporate bankruptcies often dilutes brand integrity and confuses consumers, highlighting the vulnerabilities within the retail ecosystem.

Final Thoughts:

Episode 236 serves as a compelling narrative that intertwines personal experiences with broader industry challenges. Amanda Lee McCarty effectively highlights the intricate dynamics of the fashion and retail sectors, urging listeners to recognize their pivotal role in fostering change. Through thoughtful analysis and passionate advocacy, Amanda reinforces the message that collective action can pave the way for a more ethical, inclusive, and sustainable future in fashion.