Six years ago, the Rana Plaza clothing factory, in Bangladesh, collapsed resulting in a thousand deaths to garment workers. It's been considered as one of the biggest disasters in the garment industry. This drove organisations like Fashion Revolution to make a difference and raise awareness for both the environmental and working conditions of the fast fashion industry.
As a result of their work, many people across the world have been using the hashtag #WHOMADEMYCLOTHES whilst asking brands that exact question - who made my clothes? This aims to push them to a more transparent business model that is both 'fairer and safer' for garment workers and the environment.
"Three years worth of drinking water
goes in to making one t-shirt."
This year is anticipates to have over 3.25 million people involved in the movement with a plethora of events. From panel disussions and film screenings to pop-up shops, repair and swap shops.
Needless to say with the Extinction Rebellion lock-down in London, people are taking the climate change situation very seriously. Fashion Revolutionn also hope to declare a climate and ecological emergency after joining the UN Fashion Charter for Climate Action.
"Global textiles production emits
1.2 billion tonnes of greenhouse gases annually."
Co-founder, Carry Somers stressed the importance of nurturing the environment we live in and how fashion is also a feminist issue, “Every time we buy, wear and dispose of clothes, we create an environmental footprint and an impact on the people who make them, most of whom are women. That’s why positive change is more urgent than ever."
To get join some of the events in the UK:
Brighton
London
Bristol
Cardiff
Manchester
Don't see your city or country? See the full list via Fashion Revolution