Fashion Revolution

Image and quote via Fashion Revolution

This week on the blog I'll be talking about fast fashion in conjunction with Fashion Revolution Day on April 24th.

I spoke at Idea Potluck about the parallel between the collapse of a textile building in Bangladesh in 2013 to the Triangle Shirtwaist Fire in 1911. The same conditions still exist a hundred years later- poor working conditions, exists blocked so workers could not leave and deaths caused primarily by greed. The Triangle Shirtwaist Fire was the catalyst for the labor movement in the United States. The same is true for Rana Plaza in Bangladesh, but the difference is foreign companies and a Western culture that embraces throw away fashion are a large part of the problem. 

I do not argue that all manufacturing should leave Bangladesh, but that we should require our clothes be made in a safe, humane and environmentally friendly fashion. 

April 24th marks the one year anniversary of the Rana Plaza collapse in Bangladesh and to highlight the impact fashion has on human rights the Fashion Revolution asks that we turn our clothes inside out for the day. The Fashion Revolution's mission is:

WE BELIEVE IN A FASHION INDUSTRY
THAT VALUES PEOPLE,THE
ENVIRONMENT, CREATIVITY AND
PROFIT IN EQUAL MEASURE.

OUR MISSION IS TO
BRING EVERYONE TOGETHER
TO MAKE THAT HAPPEN.

The first step is to be aware of the issue and to know where your clothes are coming from. On April 24th turn your clothes inside out and share what you are wearing on Facebook and Twitter with the tag #insideout. Send your message to the brand you are wearing and ask the question "Who Made Your Clothes?". The Fashion Revolution wants people to be aware of who made your clothes. Read here for more information about the campaign. 

I can't wait to see what you are wearing. This is only the first step and I'll be talking more about what you can do to help change the fashion industry, yet, still be fashionable. 

Originally published 4/21/14