Fashion Revolution Week is coming! Here's how you can get involved
When Rana Plaza collapsed in 2013 it exposed the cracks of what has become an incredibly toxic industry. The fast fashion industry not only violates human rights and exploits millions around the world but is also slowly killing our planet. From the huge carbon footprint it creates through mass creation of garments to the pollution it creates from dying garments, our brands are simply not doing enough and this is where the Fashion Revolution steps in. Fashion Revolution is a charitable organisation that encourages people to demand better from fashion and asks brands to be more transparent with what they are doing. Their biggest event is the Fashion Revolution Week (April 19-25th), which marks the anniversary of the collapse of Rana Plaza which just so happens to be next week. Sounds good? Here are some ways you can get involved.
Write to your favourite fashion brands and ask them, who made my clothes?
Fast Fashion brands often don’t feel the need to be transparent with consumers as we are often too busy thinking about if we like an item, if it’s the right cut, colour, fit etc let alone thinking about what came before the item hit the shelves. This means though that these brands cut corners and get away with whatever they like because no one is paying attention. So write to your favourite brands and ask questions about their supply chain, what they’re doing to be more sustainable and who makes their clothes.If they don’t reply then follow up, show them that you care about this and want to see change.
How do you write to them we hear you ask?
@ them on Instagram or Twitter posting the #WhoMadeMyClothes asking them outright who made your top or jeans.
Zara facebook - some brands (like Zara) make it very hard for you to contact anyone real. So why not use their facebook page to bring some issues to the forefront?
Open up conversations with friends and family about their clothing consumption habits.
After working in this sector for a little while I have really realised that many people care about these issues they just aren’t very aware of them. For this reason it's a great idea to have a read of recent articles about sustainable fashion and some of the facts about what fast fashion is doing and chat to friends and family about them or share them on you’re. By just creating conversations you are pulling people into the movement which really does make a difference.
Use apps such as GoodOnYou to find sustainable versions of the brands you currently use
Have a favourite fast fashion brand that you think just isn’t doing enough in the ways of environmental impact, looking after animal welfare and human rights? Well, luckily Good On You rates thousands of brands on all three of these categories so you can find a brand that is doing a lot better.
Print a poster
Fashion revolution have had to opt for the socially distanced option of protest this year and so are encouraging people to print this poster and put them in their windows to spread the fashion revolution word!
Take a great pic.
You may have seen these photos as they are often spread on social media during the week but it is a classic snap holding a sign, who made my clothes? Then you post this pic on social media and tag brands that you want to hear from. Not only does this ask the question but it also gets other people interested in the movement, win, win.
Join the events
This year, Fashion Revolution is hosting a whole load of events online that you can go check out here. Some that our catching our eye are:
Fashion Question Time: Rights, Relationships and Revolution – 19th April 2021
RETHINKING FASHION: A Circular Economy Panel Discussion – 19th April 2021
Slow Fashion Workshop: Learn to Sew, Make your Mark – 21st April 2021.