What Happens When the Illusion Breaks?
Fashion’s Truth Is Finally Surfacing—and It’s Messier Than You Think
Let’s not pretend this week was just fashion gossip.
Let’s call it what it is: a breakdown.
Anna Wintour is stepping down.
Loro Piana—one of the crown jewels of quiet luxury—is under court supervision for labor abuse.
And Jeff Bezos might be buying Vogue.
These stories might seem separate. But they point to the same thing:
Fashion’s image is collapsing.
And for once, we’re finally seeing what’s underneath.
THE QUESTIONS THAT MATTER NOW
This moment is about more than headlines.
It’s about asking better questions—and refusing to accept hollow answers.
Who actually made this product—and under what conditions?
Were they paid fairly, or just legally?
Why do we keep calling it luxury when the labor is cheap?
What do words like “traceable,” “ethical,” or “recycled” really mean?
Why are we still rewarding opacity in an industry built on image?
Why aren’t brands required to answer to anyone?
The truth is: luxury has been built on marketing.
But marketing isn’t enough anymore.
MY TAKE
I’ve been on the sourcing side of this industry long enough to see behind the curtain.
I’ve visited tanneries that follow strict chemical and labor protocols—and others that don’t.
I’ve worked with brands that want real traceability—and others that just want a good story for the press release.
And I’ve watched the same pattern play out over and over:
Illusion sells. Truth is optional.
That’s why moments like this matter.
Because when the gatekeepers fall—when the scandals hit the front page—there’s a rare opportunity to reset.
Not with noise. With proof.
WHAT THE LUXE MATERIALIST BELIEVES
Luxury still has a future.
But not if it keeps hiding behind smoke and mirrors.
A brand doesn’t need to publish every supplier name.
But it does need independent oversight.
Third-party audits. Verified traceability. Real accountability.
If you’re selling ethics, someone other than your PR team should be able to verify it.
Here’s What Ethical Luxury Actually Looks Like:
1. Transparency With Boundaries
Discretion is fine. Blind trust is not. If you can’t name your mill, you better have a verified audit behind it.
2. Slow Over Showy
Less product. Longer timelines. More intention. Luxury shouldn’t follow the fast-fashion playbook.
3. Traceability That Holds Up
Know where your material came from, who processed it, and what it touched along the way.
4. Fair Labor at Every Tier
Not just your main factory. Your subcontractors, too. If your supply chain exploits workers, it’s not luxury.
5. Strategic, Not Scrappy Sourcing
Deadstock isn’t a sustainable excuse. Know your MOQs. Understand your vendor relationships. Plan like a pro.
6. Real Waste Management
Pre-orders, capsule collections, take-back programs. Luxury should be built to last, not to landfill.
7. Informed Leadership
Founders and creative leads should know how their product is made—not just how to style it.
This isn’t about canceling legacy brands.
It’s about demanding better from an industry that loves to claim it’s "leading the way."
If you’re going to charge thousands, show me what makes it worth it.
Not the logo. Not the campaign.
The process. The proof. The people.
Fashion’s old power is fading.
The new power belongs to those who show their work.
And I’ll be here—pulling back the curtain, one swatch at a time.
—
QUESTION FOR YOU:
What’s one brand, buzzword, or industry lie you think needs to be called out?
Reply to this email or leave a comment—your answers might shape the next issue.
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But most of my work—weekly sourcing insight, real production talk, and behind-the-curtain analysis—is for subscribers only.
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Either way—welcome. The gatekeepers are gone. Let’s build something better.
—Jessica
Stay smart. Stay sharp. Stay luxe.