Aja Barber
Author and sustainability advocate interrogating consumerism, fast fashion, ethics, and cultural impacts on style.
Fast‑fashion Collabs Sell Cheap Knockoffs, Not True Access
Fast fashion collabs aren't democratizing designer fashion because you are always receiving a more shitty version of something that's derivative of a design you can probably buy on eBay for cheaper than whatever is being sold to you by the sweatshop. It's all so stupid and I wish people would recognize it. They're playing in your face.
Substack Bestsellers Aren’t Guaranteed Profits, Just Hype
Being a bestseller on Substack doesn't mean you're making money. It looks like they've created those lists with the purpose of blowing smoke up your ass to keep you producing content.
Exposing Influencer Greenwashing: Sustainability Meets Affiliate Profit
I still think Sarah Manavis did the lord's work with this piece. Very few are willing to call out the hypocrisy of folks who preach sustainability while dropping tons of affiliate links: https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/dec/11/sustainability-fast-fashion-greenwashing-influencer-trend-
Can Successful Authors Actually Live Solely on Book Sales?
If you are an author, can you afford to live off of just books alone? And I mean no partner with a fancy high paying job and no generational wealth. Does your book writing alone pay all your...
Trump Plans AI-Driven Social Media Election Manipulation
I share this paywall free because you need to understand exactly how Trump is going to try and steal this election. Social media has a lot to answer for and I find this really scary: https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/17/business/media/artificial-intelligence-trump-social-media.html?unlocked_article_code=1.cFA.BBJq.YGL7lfPdaWrQ&smid=url-share
Community‑Driven Yoga Studio Offers Free Classes, Great Vibes
I love my yoga studio so much. I love that people know me so it feels like Cheers. I like the teachers. I like that it's owned by a South Asian man who is so nice. ...
Community‑Funded AI Substacks Demand Real Writing
This is how I feel about AI Substacks. Life if you want to be community funded you do actually have to WRITE.
Trump's Crypto Sales Become His Biggest Profit Source
"Mr. Trump’s sale of crypto has been by far his biggest moneymaker, according to Reuters. People who hope to influence federal policy, including foreigners, can buy his family’s coins, effectively transferring money to the Trumps, and the deals are often...
Luxury Dries Van Noten for £30: Budget Style Hack
Okay one of my friends ended up buying these but one of my other friends pointed out that if you went to the actual website of the company selling these they were included in the 50% off sale this weekend....
AI-Generated eBay Photos Overwhelming Buyers, Demand Action
I'm tired of the AI photos on eBay as well. I've seen quite a few today. Something must be done.
Patreon Empowers Community Action Beyond Public Platforms
I love my Patreons so much. I get to know a lot of them individually in that space. They're generous, kind, inquisitive, funny humans and their Patreonage allows me to do the work that I do. But...
Algorithms Stifle Mindful Dialogue, Fuel Chaotic Noise
The conversations I have on Patreon I could never replicate here because the algorithm doesn't encourage any level of mindfulness or introspection. It encourages contribution ... any and all and sometimes chaotic. Sometimes people comment in ways that...
Shein's Cheap Flood Clogs Thrift Stores, Fuels Landfill
The comments are unhinged and prove that people have NO idea how much Shein is flooding into thrift stores. If you’re donating it, it’s still most likely going to go into landfill because most folks thrifting don’t want it....
Stop Complaining, Embrace Inclusive Fashion Responsibility
I’m tired of people whinging at me because they see me doing something they’re unwilling to even try at while some cool inclusive brands shutter. Because being fat isn’t some magical card to exploit others. It means it’s...