If you're in the fashion space, or are concerned with where your clothes come from and how they are made, then you would have heard of Fashion Revolution.
This week is fashion revolution week! The week where we push consumers to question where their clothes are being made.
Image via Instagram: @fash_rev
This is a matter very close to my heart, especially as I own a slow-fashion label. For me it isn't only about questioning where our clothes, accessories and shoes come from, but where our food is coming from, our skin care products, our homeware. Anything which we consume has a story and one which I believe should be told openly and honestly.
Fashion Revolution week aims to draw more attention to the issue of how our clothes are being made and to force brands into operating in a more transparent way. Brands ask their workers to hold signs saying 'I made your clothes' to show the talent behind their creations and demonstrate that they conduct business in a transparent way, as part of Fashion Revolution.
Image via Instagram: @fash_rev
How did Fashion Revolution come about?
It was founded after the infamous Rana Plaza factory collapse in Bangladesh, which was responsible for the death of 1,138 factory workers.
Is Fashion Revolution the marvel that it sounds to be?
We've got to start somewhere. In my opinion there are a lot of things lacking from the movement which prevents it soaring forward in the way it could. Every year the conversation seems to be very similar to the last, with very little development in terms of messaging and subject. I understand that this still isn't a 'mainstream' movement as such, but in my opinion we should be doing more to show case this revolution in the most positive light - especially during Fashion Revolution week.
I would love to see more focus on showcasing more brands which are running transparent, honest and fair businesses, demonstrating how fashion pieces can be unique, beautiful and handmade in a socially-responsible way AND affordable too! I would love to see brands not only showcasing who their workers are, but coming forward, sharing their story and, most importantly, guiding other brands into doing the same. The hardest part for designers and consumers is often knowing how they can take the necessary steps towards change. I would love Fashion Revolution week to be flooded with excessive amounts of examples of brands which are doing their part to make a positive impact, because there are so many brands running their businesses this way. Let's lead by example and lead one another into understanding how to make this possible in a more constructive way.
Why should I care?
The fashion industry is thought to be one of the worst industries the world in terms of environmental and social impact. As consumers, but particularly as women, there is a constant pressure to think about the clothes we are wearing and because of this there is an over consumption of clothing, with much of it ending up in landfill. The fashion industry is in a pretty disastrous state and your actions could contribute towards positive change both in the fashion injury and for the planet too.
'I believe that as consumers, it is our job to dictate the narrative. Only in changing demand are we able to affect the supply.' - HUX
Which leads me onto the most important part of this feature:
What can I do to make a difference and contribute towards fashion revolution?
1. Push brands to become transparent
Don't be afraid to question brands and their choices. You have a right to know the journey of your products. By pushing them into transparency, it will make them more conscious of their processes and hopefully in turn force them into refining their processes for the better.
Image via Instagram: @fash_rev
2. Start shopping slow
Shopping slow refers to 2 things: 1) Consuming at a slower rate (that is to say keeping what you own for longer and shopping less). 2) Shopping with brands which produce their products in a slow way (that is to say producing handmade products, in a thoughtful, socially-conscious way).
3. Up-cycle and re-cycle
One of the main things you can do to contribute is keep what you already have. Shop in second hand stores an change those pre-loved wears into re-loved ones! Lastly, re-vamp what you alerady own or even make your own clothes.
Join the fashion revolution. Follow the example and lead the way to making positive change in the fashion industry!
Yasmine
Good points made. Certainly, a lot of brands came out and committed to changes under social pressure after the Rana Plaza collapse. But social pressure only goes so far if consumers don't vote with their wallets, and I think a lot of people have gotten used to the low price tags on fast fashion items.
On the other hand, fashion businesses can do more to raise awareness about their supply chain, and to increase efficiencies so as to make environmentally-friendly clothing more affordable as well. There is a tendency as well for some brands to use the desire for sustainability to raise prices on environmentally friendly products.
Truly appreciate your comment @wilfredn and I am with you. I do think that it's important that price points come down, but not too much. The reason for this is we are encouraging people to shop LESS. That is the message. Shop less and look after what you have. As a result it's a shift which must come from the consumer. If price points are super slow, it just becomes fast fashion again, regardless of how it is made.
I understand your point and there's certainly something to be said about the joy of owning a select few pieces of items through time. I understand that you're running your own slow fashion label and I would like to hear more about your take on slow fashion.
Perhaps in some of your upcoming posts?
Definitely! I've already written a few features about it ;-) I wrote one a few weeks ago solely dedicated to slow fashion.
But definitely more soon!
Excellent! I'll be keeping an eye out for them.
This is something I have been working really hard at learning more about! We watched the documentary "The True Cost" and it was very eye opening. The hardest thing for me now is finding brands with clothing that fits these standards that I can get here in the States and that I actually like the product. I have some close girlfriends who are embracing minimalism in their own wardrobes, so that definitely helps me stay motivated.
Thanks for this comment @plantstoplanks and for raising a real issue. YES. That's what I would love to see fash rev to do more of, shining a light on all the brands which are conducting business in a better way.
One thing I will say, wherever you shop, try to shop less. Keep the items you have for a long time, treat them well, modify them into something else or pass them on. Shopping 'fast' is a habit we need to break and that's an incredibly important part of the process - so minimalism is crucial.
You are totally right with shopping less! I hadn't bought anything new this year until this past weekend, and even then it was only a few items I really needed. It is crazy though how our culture, especially for women's fashion, is so tied up in getting new things every season. I am starting to care less and less about wearing the same things all of the time. When I do shop anymore I try to only buy something if I feel really fantastic in it. If I feel really good in it, why wouldn't I want to wear it all the time? That is one thing where I think getting older helps--I care less each passing year what anyone else thinks about my choices as long as I know I am making conscious ones to be a better steward of this planet. Thanks for bringing up this topic and helping make us more aware!
So incredibly true. I am actually planning to write more on the pressures of re-wearing clothes and how to combat them. Sounds trivial, but actually by getting past that social pressure we can make a huge change.
I would love to share an article like this in my online magazine ultravioletmagazine.love if you would be interested x
Yes please do. Would love that!
The post is very good
Thank you @keugalak!
Usually you give me a little vote to appreciate my comments that have been read and see the context you wrote above
Hey again @keugalak, I am now only upvoting comments which are engaging and clearly express that the contributor has read the piece of content and formed some kind of opinion on it. Since you didn't express any kind of opinion in your comment you didn't receive an upvote. I think it's really important that we only leave comments which truly matter.
Oh, thanks for the suggestion. Next I will always monitor your post in order. I hope you can vote. And I will follow you
excellent contribution the truth did not know it was the fashion week thanks for your continuous information publishing quality content greetings
excellent contribution the truth did not know it was the fashion week thanks for your continuous information publishing quality content greetings
Well i'm glad you know now! :-) Thanks for stopping by!
Thank you for sharing your posts with us. This post was curated by TeamMalaysia as part of our community support. Looking forward for more posts from you.
To support the growth of TeamMalaysia Follow our upvotes by using steemauto.com and follow trail of @myach
Vote TeamMalaysia witness bitrocker2020 using this link vote bitrocker2020 witness
I really love how you choose to run your business so that it coexist with Mother Nature @yasminep. However, the primary challenge would also be to sustain the business quick enough to earn an exponential income. It'll be amazing to listen to/ read about your experience here; specifically on tackling a sustainable business model for Hux since (referring to point 2. Start shopping slow) I could only imagine that we're getting our supplies fewer and lesser than ever. XOXO
So true and that is the hardest part. How to make it sustainable in a business sense. How to scale. That's the biggest challenge of all on so many levels.
You have been upvoted by the @sndbox-alpha! Our curation team is currently formed by @jeffbernst, @bitrocker2020, @jrswab & @teachblogger . We are seeking posts of the highest quality and we deem your endeavour as one of them. If you want to get to know more, feel free to check our blog.
Thanks so much, guys! Truly appreciated that you took notice!