Fashion Revolution Mission Statement: We believe in fashion – an industry which values people, the environment, creativity and profits in equal measure, and it’s everyone’s responsibility to ensure that this happens.
Recently, one may have noticed everyone questioning their favourite brands and the entire fashion industry with the hashtag, #WhoMadeMyClothes? The number 1 global trend on Twitter was started by Fashion Revolution, a non-profit global movement created in 2013 with 79 teams worldwide. The movement campaigns for reformation of the fashion industry, with a focus on the need for higher transparency and accountability along the supply chain.
Pictured: Fashion Revolution co-founders and directors, Carry Somers and Orsola de Castro who worked as fashion designers in the UK for two decades before starting the non-profit.
#WhoMadeMyClothes?
Pictured: Volunteers showing their labels and asking, #WhoMadeMyClothes?
On 24 April 2013, the Rana Plaza disaster occurred in the Savar Upazila in Dhakar, Bangladesh where the structure failed and collapsed. This tragedy that killed 1,134 people and injured about 2,500 is considered the deadliest garment factory accident in history. This was a huge wake-up call and served as a turning point for the fashion industry. Beginning in 2014, Fashion Revolution began using the factory disaster as a catalyst for change. They chose the anniversary of the disaster as Fashion Revolution Day with Fashion Revolution Week leading up to the date.
Pictured: The Rana Plaza collapse and photos of the victims.
#IMadeYourClothes
Over 300 events and roundtable discussions have helped raise awareness “of the true cost of fashion” and to “show the world that change is possible, and to celebrate all those involved in creating a more sustainable future.” As part of the annual campaign, millions of people around the world called on brands to answer the question Who Made My Clothes? along with showing the brand’s label. Makers and brands began to respond in the spirit of transparency with I Made Your Clothes.
Pictured:
“Be curious, find out, do something”
Pictured: Students from St. Louis high school.
Over the next 5 years, Fashion Revolution believes they will build a huge amount of global momentum and impact by bringing together organisations and people. The open discussion of ethics, sustainability, and transparency in the fashion industry has crossed over into schools and universities with a number of teachers and students getting involved as well. Fashion Revolution developed a quiz and education pack to be distributed amongst primary and secondary schools, further education colleges, and universities including worksheets such as:
- 'Design a Fashion Revolution Poster' (Primary - Universities),
- 'What can I find out about my clothes?' (Primary),
- 'Where are my clothes made?' (Primary),
- 'Write to the person who made my favourite item of clothing' (Primary),
- 'Research my clothes and write to the brand' (Secondary, FE),
- 'Take a selfie and send it to the brand' (Secondary - University), and
- 'Make and play a game of Fashion Ethics Trumps' (Secondary - University).
Take a look on Pinterest to see how teachers and students got involved with the Fashion Revolution, along with a 'who made my clothes?' film library, and a collection of 'imaginative ways in which the work of artists, activists and others can be used to inspire and engage people in the Fashion Revolution'!
