Since the democratisation of the clothing industry in the early 19th century, buyers have become increasingly disconnected from the creative and human aspects of the production of clothing. Arguably clothing is now valued less for its aesthetic qualities or because of the hours spent in its making, but more for the extent to which it serves current 'fashion'. In a climate of increasing anxiety about the environmental and social impact of the contemporary global fashion industry, Rachel Worth suggests that, rather than seeking solutions only in the present, looking to history can assist in understanding better the challenges consumers face today in making decisions about the contents of their wardrobes, which, in turn, will impact on the nature of the future global fashion industry. She does not seek to offer simplistic historical solutions to contemporary problems, but explores ways in which it might be possible to bridge divides between knowledge of the past, current individual choice, and possible directions for future action. The more we know about our clothes, the less likely it is that we will wear an item of clothing only a few times before replenishing it with newer purchases that are 'on trend'. By taking ownership of our personal clothing choices rather than feeling pressurised to respond to sophisticated marketing and to 'influencers', this book suggests how we might rethink our wardrobes in philosophical and practical ways in order to create a sense of order and beauty in our lives and to wrest control back from the increasing chaos of seemingly endless choice that perpetuates unsustainable, impersonal and fast fashion.

Since the democratisation of the clothing industry in the early 19th century, buyers have become increasingly disconnected from the creative and human aspects of the production of clothing. Arguably clothing is now valued less for its aesthetic qualities or because of the hours spent in its making, but more for the extent to which it serves current 'fashion'. In a climate of increasing anxiety about the environmental and social impact of the contemporary global fashion industry, Rachel Worth suggests that, rather than seeking solutions only in the present, looking to history can assist in understanding better the challenges consumers face today in making decisions about the contents of their wardrobes, which, in turn, will impact on the nature of the future global fashion industry. She does not seek to offer simplistic historical solutions to contemporary problems, but explores ways in which it might be possible to bridge divides between knowledge of the past, current individual choice, and possible directions for future action. The more we know about our clothes, the less likely it is that we will wear an item of clothing only a few times before replenishing it with newer purchases that are 'on trend'. By taking ownership of our personal clothing choices rather than feeling pressurised to respond to sophisticated marketing and to 'influencers', this book suggests how we might rethink our wardrobes in philosophical and practical ways in order to create a sense of order and beauty in our lives and to wrest control back from the increasing chaos of seemingly endless choice that perpetuates unsustainable, impersonal and fast fashion.

This text is an ethnography that describes how the people of this high mountain region put meaning into their collective lives & how they organize the social structure of mountain survival. In addition, the author describes how the Tiroleans have suffered & solved major ethnic problems.

Erika Ritter's funny and audacious debut novel examines contemporary human conditions through the eyes of a woman and a dog. Single and on the downhill side of forty, Dana Jaeger has an unswerving allegiance to short-term involvements and perennially arrested adolescence. Lately, though, unexpected developments have begun to test the depth of her devotion to non-commitments. her ex-husband is slowly dying, and an unlikely romance with a private detective is in rapid progress toward something more meaningful than her typical revolving-door relationships with a stable of "Marrieds." Together, the forces of love and loss threaten to unleash within Dana desires as carefully concealed as landmines. Across this treacherous terrain lopes Murphy--a mutt capable of consuming lawn mowers--whom Dana agrees to dogsit (short-term, of course) as a favour to an out of town lover. Garrulously opinionated and no stranger himself to pent-up desires, Murphy offers his own inspired insights into Dana's amatory adventures. Between them, mongrel and mistress present a sometimes wry, sometimes antic, portrait of our innermost selves sprung to life, and our deepest longings--for love, revenge, a clean getaway--gracefully realized. Exuberant and incisive, The Hidden Life of Humans sounds the deepest notes of the comical dissonance between our public and private selves, and the promise that lies between who we are, who we claim to be, and who we might yet become.

This biography of Betty Skinner offers her dramatic life story with total vulnerability, beautifully capturing Skinner's amazing story, and showing readers how to find the hidden place within themselves where they can meet God intimately.