Fashion Revolution

Tomorrow (24 April, 2015) is Fashion Revolution Day and until the other day I had never heard of this event! It’s only in it’s second year but it’s something we should all get behind!

Ever wondered where your clothes are made and who makes them? Recently, I have become more interested in this. I decided that I wanted a more sustainable wardrobe and wanted to take myself on a journey to get it. So far I have cleaned out my closet of the clothes I didn’t want, clothes I barely wore and clothes that were no longer worth having because of what they were made of or where they came from.

This might seem extreme, as most people would say ‘well you’ve already bought them, damage done’ but to make a wardrobe that I’m happy with it not only needs to be stylish, comfortable and lasting it needs to promote a sustainable future for the fashion industry. One that isn’t focused on fast cheap and poor quality clothing, one that supports local designers who’s clothes are made here or abroad even when they cost three times as much as a cheaper version and one that doesn’t exploit people so that those who are better off can continue to be that way.

Fashion Revolution Day was organised as a means to bring attention to the responsibility of the Garment industry, which is the world’s third largest industry. It came out of the Rana Plaza Disaster in Dhaka, Bangladesh 2013. The Rana Plaza Disaster is considered the deadliest garment factory accident in history killing 1, 133 people and injuring 2, 500 after the eight story building collapsed on its workers. It’s been argued that the tragedy was caused by poor working conditions, an unsafe building and pressure from the Western garment industry on the workers to get their shipments down. It’s a horrible reminder of the cost of some of our clothes, that is sadly often overlooked.

Fashion Revolution Day is about marking this day in history not only to remember lives lost but to bring about change in an industry that is struggling and refusing to do so. The Australian Fashion Report 2015 (from Baptist World Aid), assessed the ethical practices of 219 clothing brands (59 companies) and the results for some of Australia’s most loved brands aren’t good. The report card:

Sadly the report found that only two of the 59 companies could prove that the workers in their factories are paid a full living wage which is US$104 per month. This is more than average minimum wage (US$68) which only 12% of companies could prove they were paying.

One of the biggest problems is factories in countries such as Bangladesh and China being desperate to meet the demands of the Western companies so they take on a large number of orders at once and overburden their workers so as to be able to complete them in time. This leaves workers doing overtime, missing or not ever getting breaks, and still barely making the minimum wage.

For more information you can find it in the full report.

You don’t have to throw out your entire wardrobe or start making your own clothes but you do need to be aware of who is making your clothes and in what conditions they’re making them. We’re the ones who can make companies accountable for their poor actions. By knowing who’s making your clothes you can be more savvy about which companies you get them from, because if we no longer buy their clothes then they will have to rethink how they get them made!

So Fashion Revolution’s focus is centred around two focal points:

• The fashion industry is an entire value chain problem and the broken links need to be reconnected
• The public needs greater access to information and brands/retailers need to be more transparent so they are able to trace their products and be more accountable for their actions

– Fashion Revolution

But something just as important as calling out those who aren’t making an effort is showcasing examples of those who are already creating a better future for fashion.

So take part in Fashion Revolution Day tomorrow by doing the following:

1. Take a selfie showing the label inside a piece of clothing in your wardrobe. They suggest turning your clothes inside out to make more of a statement.

2. Follow that brand on social media.

3. Upload your photo on social media with the message: “I want to thank the people who made my clothes, @brandsname #whomademyclothes?”

4. Help make the message louder and nominate three friends to do the same.

You can also go to the fashion revolution website through the link at the top of this post and download their media kit including images for Facebook, Twitter and Instagram as well as all the information you need.