Let's get into greenwashing!
Episode 1 of The shegotgame Podcast is here too!
This weekly podcast companion comes every Monday and will always be free! Extended, unrated video and audio interviews from the podcast publish on Wednesday’s for paid subscribers.
Hi friends and strangers!
We’ve made it to yet another Monday and I’m happy (and a little nervous) to announce the first episode of The shegotgame Podcast is out! It’s been a true labour of love - I can now honestly say I’ve put my broadcasting degree back to work.
For the debut episode, I wanted to first tackle the genesis and on-going goals of the podcast and the necessity of intersectional analysis within the world of “sustainable” fashion, footwear and consumer goods.
I was also blessed to have one of my best friends, Terrence Watson, as the first guest on the podcast. We get deep into copywriting, brand accountability, and how both his Mom and JR Smith helped shape his identity as a writer. Who knew JR could crush more dreams than just LeBron’s?
More ways to listen:
Anchor (multiple platform links on the episode page)
Kamala’s Timberlands:
One of the biggest headlines from this past week’s news cycle (I think…what is time anymore?) was Kamala Harris sporting Timberland boots on her visits to witness the wildfire devastation in her home state of California. Some may have seen the photos as campaign work, but her footwear choice was full of symbolism. There were accusations of her wearing them to purely pander to black voters. As a white woman who works in sneaker culture, the significance of the staple Timberland boot cannot be overstated, but I’d suggest reading Brook Leigh Howard’s piece on the impact of Kamala wearing Timbs as a black woman for perspective.
Additionally, there were ridiculous headlines like “Kamala makes Timberlands cool again!” So let’s be clear - you cannot make a classic cool again - if something is classic it means it is iconic and therefore - exempt of trends.
A reoccurring theme for Kamala’s personal style is that she tends to veer for classic, practical footwear - like her Converse One Stars - another American brand. One part of the narrative I thought was missing from the massive onslought of tweets and think pieces was the environmental aspect. Kamala is wearing Timberland - an American brand that is committed to growing 50 million trees by 2025 through their Plant the Change program, which partners with a variety of tree planting initiatives around the world including American Forest. Forest fires are a direct reaction from climate change which has double wildfire risk. In 2050 the annual burn area is predicated to increase by up 600%.
Some saw it as an appeal that she is an every woman, but I think it’s essential that we also take note that the Vice Presidential nominee is wearing something that is sustainable, supports American jobs and made by a company that aims to be carbon net positive by 2030 - leaving nature better than when it was found. Can we say the same of the current American administration? Next time someone says fashion isn’t political - please kick them with your Timberland boot.
Please vote, friends.
Lululemon steps into footwear and their possible NBA entry point
In the NBA bubble, Jimmy Butler’s keen sense for supply and demand is on full display off the court with his BIG FACE COFFEE company endeavour, selling all kinds of brews from pour overs to lattes from his hotel room. Recently, word came out that Jimmy’s BIG FACE COFFEE threads are actually made by Canadian yoga mega brand Lululemon. Jimmy, who was until recently a member of the Jordan Brand team, is currently a footwear free agent (meaning he doesn’t have an endorsement deal with a brand. For instance if adidas athlete Damian Lillard wore Lululemon gear, he could be in breach of contract - while Jimmy is free to do as he pleases). While it’s certainly interesting from a fashion and entrepreneurship standpoint - it’s also curious as Lululemon announced their plans to venture into the footwear market in 2019. Setting up footwear is a costly endeavour and Lululemon doesn’t have a basketball category, but their five year plan is heavily focussed on growing their training and fitness divisions as well as “doubling the size of its men’s and online revenues by 2023, as well as quadrupling international sales”. Jimmy is charismatic and a dedicated gym rat so having him on board could give Lululemon menswear a leg up (or perhaps I should say a foothold? Sorry I need more coffee and Jimmy doesn’t deliver to Canada) on the competition.
Extra Credit:
This week’s recommendation in The shegotgame Podcast is The True Cost documentary, which is free to stream on YouTube. The film is a great overview of the issues at hand in fast fashion and a call to action to change our current system.
Terrence also mentions an episode of Hasan’s Minaj’s show “The Patriot Act” (which was recently canceled so pour one out for Hasan - just don’t spill on his Nike x Sacai waffles) about the rampant green washing that goes on in fast fashion which you can watch below. I wish we had tags like the one in his “store” as an industry standard, but maybe someday!
I’d adore it if you’d send in any of your questions, comments or rants. You can submit a voice message to the podcast here or leave a comment on the Substack post.
Stay safe and stay true,
Megan
@shegotgame
PS. Be sure to follow along on Twitter and Instagram for more and check out my website at MeganAnnWilson.com.