Transparent Pricing in The Era of Fast Fashion

Andrew Doerksen owns Commonwealth Manufacturing located in the Exchange District. At first glance, a shirt from Commonwealth may seem more expensive than you’re used to seeing elsewhere. But that’s not because their shirts are overpriced – it’s a result of the dominance of fast-fashion all around us.

This change in the fashion industry has diverted attention away from quality and craftsmanship, and towards trendy styles and low prices. And this focus on the price tag means we’re happy to get a $5 t-shirt without wondering why those manufacturers don’t make their supply chains visible.

It’s easy to forget what’s actually going on, because the fast-fashion retailers that dominate the market (think Old Navy, H&M, George, Joe Fresh) have done a good job of promoting everyday low prices. Aside from the possible social and environmental concerns people often mention alongside the names of these clothing brands, we’re also seeing the commodification of clothing (that is, a white shirt from H&M is no different than a white shirt from anywhere else). Over time this means that we, as shoppers, only see the price tag. We’ve lost the value of the product. Our value equation has been shifting in the wrong direction over time. Not too long ago, people seemed to care more for their clothes and keep them for longer, but with fast fashion that’s no longer an option.

People like Andrew at Commonwealth are a breath of fresh air and we like reading his blog posts. Here’s a excerpt from one of Andrew’s posts:

CMFG is intentionally product-focused over brand-focused. Said another way, the hype belongs to thorough craftsmanship, not hollow branding. These shirts are created to be more than just another disposable item. Each product is designed to be simple, classic and enduring, so you can freely bypass the fads.

The whole ambition is to create a better process, thereby resulting in a more authentic product. As a counter to veiled offshore production, CMFG manufactures in a local, transparent and diligent manner.

It hard to take a stand against the norm. Commonwealth is showing us that we don’t need to give in to trends we don’t agree with, and that there are better alternatives for us – and for the world – if we shop mindfully.

Check out some of our favourite of Andrew’s blog posts about transparent pricing and garment care & longevity.

Thumbnail photo by Kristhine Guerrero

All other photos from Commonwealth Manufacturing website