The story is a bit thin, the hard sell is a bit over the top, but it presents a reasonably serious question about values. Is a big paycheck worth supporting an industry with a reputation for creating manufactured obsolescence and waste? Britannica.com—an online presence of Encyclopedia Britannica—goes into some detail about the marketing of these cheap, largely synthetic knockoffs, mass produced by low-paid workers in Asia on an unending assembly line of changing designs meant to be worn a few times before getting discarded for the latest and greatest.

<Resting a bit from that long sentence!>

Apparently, this “fashion” phenomenon took off in the 1990s. There are giant clothing “graveyards” in various landfills around the world. Why are the items discarded instead of donated? Apparently, they are so cheaply made that they do not last long enough. Wasteful? Sure sounds like it.

So, do you chase a big paycheck and ignore the aftermath, or do you maintain your standards and environmental awareness? The duality sounds squishy and Birkenstocky, I know. Does it have to be a binary choice? Well, maybe not. It is certainly possible to score a good return on quality work while respecting the materials and the environment. It just might take longer and not make your wallet as fat.

Now, what will Peach do? She’s gobsmacked by the buy-out offer. But there is another thing to consider: Holly wants to “buy the Upcycled line”, meaning Peach could lose total control of her idea and work. Just how many zeroes did Holly Folly offer?