OPL BOOK SUMMARY:  Consumed is an insightful, personal, and uncomfortable lesson about fast fashion. Aja walks us through how fast fashion is connected to colonialism, racism, and wealth inequity. Fast fashion is training us to consume for an optimal buying system. Americans have normalized buying new items every week, which has created a world where we buy too much, spend too much, and create too much waste. But consumers don’t pay the highest price. The countries, communities, and people who make our garments are suffering from low wages, no job security, and pollution of their waters. Competition then lowers prices; while garment makers lose, a few companies become extremely rich.

Aja then takes you on a journey to understand why you consume the way you do, delving into why consumerism overshadows compassion. She shows you how you can change this behavior and gain back your power — the power to buy less and buy from sustainable companies that pay and treat employees well (with a living wage or better).

Aja Barber is a writer, stylist, and consultant whose work deals with the interaction of sustainability and fashion. Aja is a strong, influential voice about racial and fashion industry injustices. She has pledged never to take a dollar from fast fashion. Her book may convince you to do the same.

Available used at BetterWorldBooks.