This week marks the annual Fashion Revolution Week, from the 23rd- 29th April 2018. The global campaign calls for more fashion supply chains, both high street and designer, from Primark to Marc Jacobs to seek better workers standards and a more sustainable future. Fashion revolution ask you to ask brands #whomademyclothes and demand a greater transparency in the fashion chain.
Now in its fifth year, the campaign correlates with the 5th year anniversary of the Rana Plaza disaster, an event that triggered this movement and shocked the world. The collapse of the Rana Plaza factory complex that held over 5 different garment manufacturers killed 1,138 people on the 24th April 2013. The disaster quickly unravelled the true cost of ‘fast fashion’ and how the dangerous cutting of costs to meet the demand of the consumer, led to horrific working conditions, long hours and very little pay for the predominantly female and children garment workers. Fashion Revolution Week seeks to create an inclusive campaign, encouraging everyone to ask the questions, Who Made My Clothes?
This week is your opportunity to support positive change in the industry, by sending an email to a brand, use your voice on twitter or post on instagram with the #whomademyclothes. If you'd rather operate under the notion of voting with your pound, get involved with the #haulternative, avoid buying new clothes, mending the pieces you already own and refresh your wardrobe with a secondhand swap party with your friends.
Fashion revolution is made up of designers, producers, makers, workers and consumers, of people from both the industry and the public whom together believe in an alternative to the current manufacturing process of our clothes. The human and environmental cost of these processes are becoming more evident, and in reaction, fashion revolution are demanding for an abrupt positive change. Based in the UK, Fashion Revolution are a not for profit community, focused on sustainability. Everyone involved is within the fashion supply chain, which includes farmers, producers, buyers, designers, retailers and consumers. Their mission is to unite people and organisations to work together for a more promising fashion industry that values people, the environment and profit in equal measure.
Last year’s Fashion Revolution Week was the biggest to date, seeing over 2 million people engage with Fashion revolution in April 2017 through events, posting on social media and downloading the resources. Join actress Emma Watson, artist Shepard Fairey and editor-in-chief of Marie Claire Italia, Antonella Antonelli, in using your voice to shape the industry that you're entering.
Get involved here!
Words by Emily Bone