Fashion Revolution week is upon us.
All across the world, in more than 100 countries, fashion lovers will be asking their favourite brands ‘Who Made My Clothes’ on social media and taking part in some of the many talks, clothes swaps and the many film screenings and events there are to choose from.
Last year more than two-and-a-half million people got involved in Fashion Revolution week. It’s quite simply the biggest week in the calendar for ethical fashion.
This year is particularly special. It’s exactly five years since the devastating Rana Plaza Factory collapse in Bangladesh that was the catalyst for Fashion Revolution. Many of us will be looking back on how far our movement has come, and the real change that’s starting to happen in the industry.
Over the past year especially, we’ve seen a massive increase in the conversations around these issues. A growing number of brands are taking steps to improve their sustainability and transparency, more celebrities are taking on the Green Carpet Challenge and Vogue Australia published their first ever sustainability issue, featuring Good On You!
Despite all these wins, there’s still much progress to be made. Change doesn’t happen overnight, and every little bit counts toward achieving that end goal of a more sustainable, transparent and ethical fashion industry.
Want to get involved? Here are five things you can do this week to be a part of the Revolution!
1. Join the conversation on social media
Use the hashtag #whomademyclothes to call out a brand, inform others about ethical issues in the fashion industry and to feature your favourite brands that are already doing the right thing by people, the planet and animals.
2. Read a book or buy a copy of Issue 2 of the Fashion Revolution fanzine
Educate yourself (and others) about the problems faced by the fashion industry by picking up one of these fantastic reads, including Elizabeth Cline’s Overdressed and Clare Press’ Wardrobe Crisis. Another recent title is Slave to Fashion, written by People Tree founder Safia Minney, which looks at how both consumers and brands can help eradicate slave labour in the fashion industry.
If you prefer to read in small bites, why not pick up the latest issue of the bi-annual Fashion Revolution fanzine? LOVED CLOTHES LAST explores the huge issue of waste and overconsumption in the fashion industry, and includes a jam-packed 124 pages of poetry, illustration, photography, infographics, articles, tips and interviews with leaders of the circular fashion movement as well as leading innovators in textile recycling.
3. Attend a FRW event
From the 23rd-29th of April, there are scores of great events being held across the globe, including workshops, film screenings and talks. Highlights include a ‘Who Made My Activewear’ Panel and Pop-up shop in London, an Eco Fashion Expo in New York, a film screening in Adelaide an Open Studio in Shanghai to name just a few. Check out what’s happening near you!
4. Help educate others by getting involved in the campaign
Fashion Revolution has created a number of educational resources for all ages in English, Portuguese and Polish that you can use in the classroom or even just among your friends. You can design a Fashion Revolution Week poster, play a Fashion Ethics Trump Card Game or take a quiz! The materials cover a number of issues within the fashion industry, including globalisation, workers’ rights, supply chain transparency, material sourcing, global citizenship, sustainable development and ethical business practices. Register here to access the free educational resources.
If you’re a uni student, you can apply to become a Fashion Revolution Student Ambassador to organise a FRW event on campus. UK students can email educationfashionrevolution.org telling them the name of your university, your course and why you want to be part of Fashion Revolution. If you are not in the UK, you can contact the Country Coordinator in your country by filling out this contact form.
5. Contact a brand using the Good On You app
Want to let a brand know that you’re not happy with the way they treat people, the planet and animals? You can contact them using the Good On You app. Just download the free app, search for the brand, go to the ‘Your Voice’ section, and write a message that will be sent directly to the brand.
