You may be wondering what this whole Fashion Revolution thing is all about. In the past week, we saw many selfies on Instagram with clothes worn inside out, labels showing – with a caption reading: #whomademyclothes.
Have you ever wondered who made your clothes? We often pay for our favourite brands, utterly unaware of their production conditions. Many of us don’t even think twice about how the resources got there, who made them, and what cost. The point of Fashion Revolution Day is to remind and encourage us to take the time to think about these critical issues.
Fashion Revolution: How it All Happened
It happened on April 24th, 2013. Then, “1 134 people were killed, and over 2,500 were injured when the Rana Plaza complex collapsed in Dhaka, Bangladesh.” And this is how Fashion Revolution was born. As a way to say “never again.”
But the reality is that many of the brands and companies we admire and support aren’t always responsible and ethical. So it’s up to us to educate ourselves, really know the brands we buy, research their mission and vision – and demand that they can tell us who makes their clothes.
The social media campaign in the last week demonstrated individual concerns. Demanding to know who makes our clothes is a significant step forward into a compassionate world for those who work in the industry. As consumers, we need to understand what takes place at every step, from who grows the cotton to who dyes the fabric to who makes the clothes.
Counter-Cultural: Demanding Fair Fashion
The fashion and clothing industry isn’t innocent at all. We must ask the big questions that many brands and companies try to deter us from. Take a look at our previous blog to learn about the “Truth behind the Fashion Industry.” Here, we talk about the chemicals and toxins you’re constantly exposed to because of the synthetic materials used to make clothes. We also discuss how human life and dignity are often at risk. And if things couldn’t get any worse, the fashion industry would be responsible for air pollution and environmental degradation.
But it’s not all bad news. So many brands go against the grain. Companies whose mission and vision is a world that produces responsible, slow, minimal fashion. These brands care about human conditions, the rights of animals, the state of the planet and your health.
So, we’re not suggesting you give up on fashion altogether. But we’re saying let’s start interrogating the industry. Start asking questions, challenging the standards, and working and hoping for a better world. In other words, let’s welcome a fashion revolution. Human dignity, safety and life are at risk, and it’s our responsibility and moral obligation to care.
Don’t forget to comment below to share your favourite ethical brands with us. Got any questions? We’re here to answer.
