Fashion Revolution Week 2021
Who made my clothes?
Cover photo and images from Fashion Revolution
Fashion Revolution is an annual global movement that draws people’s attention to the detrimental effects of the global fashion industry on the environment and educates consumers on sustainable fashion. This year, Fashion Revolution is calling on both the fashion industry and governments to recognize the interconnection between human rights and the rights of nature. The event is happening from Monday 19th – Sunday 25th April 2021.
The movement started in response to the 2013 Dhaka garment factory collapse, in which 1,134 garment workers died, and 2500 were injured. More than half of the victims were women, along with a number of their children who were in the nursery facilities in the building.
Since then, the movement has also expanded to draw attention to the environmental impacts of the garment industry and has become the world’s largest fashion activism movement, mobilizing citizens, industries and policy-makers through research, and education and advocacy work. Their vision is to become “a global fashion industry that conserves and restores the environment and values people over growth and profit.” From https://www.fashionrevolution.org/about/
“The garment industry can be exploitative of both humans and the planet. Workers, primarily in Asia, though bad conditions can be found in North America too, work in unbearable conditions for poverty wages,” said Nicole Nekich (known as Nicole A Go Go on social media), Coordinator at the Fashion Revolution - Edmonton Chapter. “While the garments themselves are poisoning the planet through unsustainable water consumption, chemical run-offs, and plastic waste as petroleum-derived textiles pile up in landfills. We just produce way too much clothing way too fast and the Fashion Revolution aims to change that.”
The biggest issue Edmonton and Calgary are facing in terms of sustainability in the fashion industry as Nicole mentioned are over-consumption and waste.
“Neither municipality currently has textile diversion strategies, so if you have unwanted clothing that can’t be reused or resold then it gets landfilled. Because so many textiles are now derived from petroleum, these items don’t biodegrade. There are also no large-scale textile recovery solutions that exist in Canada to repurpose these fibres. So until innovation catches up, the best thing we can do is buy less clothing and use what already exists in the world through the second-hand market,” shared Nicole.
5 WAYS TO GET INVOLVED IN #FashionRevolutionWeek2021
#FashionRevolution is a feel-good movement. There are many ways we can individually participate in.
“We really want folks to think thoughtfully about their clothing consumption,” said Nicole. “Think about where it’s from and who made it. Think about the impact that it’s having on the planet. Think about how you can shop differently. The second-hand market is huge now so there are lots of ways to still be a fashion aficionado without supporting problematic retailers. By each of us buying less and shopping smarter, and putting pressure on brands to do better, we can collectively change the garment industry.”
ETHICAL CLOTHING BRANDS IN EDMONTON
Below are some local ethical and sustainable clothing brands and members of the community who are working against #fastfashion.
#fastfashion is a term that refers to a design, manufacturing, and marketing method focusing on rapidly producing high volumes of clothing.
“The Fashion Revolution is for everyone. Every sustainable choice you make is a huge help to both people and the planet. Don’t worry about being perfect. We believe in progress, not perfection. So if you still have to shop at ‘fast fashion’ retailers for certain items because that’s what you can afford that’s ok. Just do your best with the resources you have. Over time it will get easier and we’re so so grateful for everyone who tries and who asks the question “Who made my clothes?” - Nicole.
For more information on the #FashionRevolutionWeek in Alberta, Canada, follow @fashrevyeg @fashrevyyc @fash_revcan
