Fashion Revolution Day
Remember this scene from The Devil Wears Prada? I always think about it when it comes right down to fashion, because we really do have a choice. If Miranda Priestly and the people in that room are the top tier of the fashion industry, then the people who make our clothes are at the bottom.
“You think this has nothing to do with you.”
Last year on April 24th, when the Rana Plaza factory collapsed in Bangladesh, 1,133 people were killed and over 2,500 seriously injured. Those numbers are staggering, and inside the factory, labels were found from stores including Cato, The Children’s Place, and Mango, among others. The people inside were making our clothes. The clothes that are sold at inexpensive prices in mid-level stores across the United States.
“That blue represents millions of dollars and countless jobs.”
I was at the beginning of my ethical clothing journey the day that building collapsed a world away, and one picture in particular opened my eyes to the atrocities taking place in the fast fashion industry. I won’t place the photo on my blog, since it isn’t mine and it’s quite disturbing, but here’s a link if you want to see what I saw, and it is graphic. The purpose of that photo is not to shock, but to show you what happens when we look the other way.
“You think you’ve made a choice that exempts you from the fashion industry.”
I don’t know if that man and woman were husband and wife, brother and sister, or maybe cousins or friends. Perhaps they were co-workers or even strangers who clung to each other in a moment of terror and desperation. They died in darkness, in fear, and undoubtedly, in pain, and their lives were worth more than the thrill of a $9.99 t-shirt. They have to be.
I once read that shopping is like voting with your money, and as consumers, we do have a voice. We can tell our favorite stores and brands that inexpensive clothing shouldn’t kill those who make it, that they deserve to work safely, with regular hours and fair pay for the work that they do. That man and that woman were just like you and me, with families to care for and basic needs they had to meet, and they found work where they could and were trying to get by, just like we all are.
Tomorrow marks one year since the Rana collapse, and it’s a day to reflect on our choices as consumers. Fashion Revolution is asking you to take a moment to consider where your clothing comes from, to wear it inside out to show the tag, and to remember that someone, somewhere, made that shirt or blouse or dress that covers your back. That touches your skin. That hides your nakedness.
Fashion is wonderful. It’s a way to show our individuality and express our creativity. But it’s not worth dying for, and it shouldn’t have to be.
If you’re interested in learning more about the situation in Bangladesh, I can highly recommend this story. Hopefully these photos and facts will encourage you to make small changes that can greatly impact the lives of others for the better. There were many survivors of the factory collapse, and they are trying to rebuild their lives.
And this short film beautifully demonstrates the stories that go into each piece of clothing we wear.
I hope you’ll stop by tomorrow when I’ll be sharing easy ways to start shopping more responsibly.
I watched that video story you posted on Twitter the other day. I’m curious to see your post for tomorrow; what types of places and opportunities are there to buy ethically if you can’t necessarily afford to shop at places like Anthro and other high-end retailers?
I checked. Everything I’m wearing today was made in China… I’m sure that’s not any better.
Hey Allie! I have a pretty comprehensive list for tomorrow, but it’s really just about being more aware of where your clothing comes from. A great place to start is buying USA-made products, and also supporting local boutiques, consignment, and thrift stores. Fair trade clothing can be more expensive, only because the manufacturers and workers are being paid fairly and the companies are usually smaller. Hopefully, one day all clothing will be fairly made and affordable.
this is a fantastic post Catherine! I’m linking to it in my post today since I completely spaced on the date & didn’t get anything ready. i think one of the biggest catches is that fair trade clothing doesn’t have to be much much more expensive (of course a lot depends on how intricate and elaborate), if companies were willing to take just a slightly lower profit, or of course we as consumers can pay a bit more, but for something high quality that will last, like our parents/grandparents used to buy for. & of course i also love thrift store shopping to keep things from landfills. the great thing about thrift store shopping is that you can find a ton of vintage things that were really made to last. Oh, & swaps, like how you so kindly gave me your MT skirt are so wonderful too : ).
Thanks so much, Dus! You make some really great points!
Hi Catherine,
Wonderful post. Am hoping you’ll post some sources tomorrow for those of us who are on the taller side. I try to be a responsible shopper, but with clothing, it’s hard. A lot of the sites I find don’t have anything that would fit me well (everything fits way too short)….and I end up going back to my old standby (Gap), since they sell Talls. Can you point me in the right direction?
Jen
Hi Jen, it’s great to hear from you! I’ve been thinking about you! I don’t know about tall sizes in general, but a lot of denim companies make their jeans in the U.S. I will keep an eye out for you.
[…] stay tuned and consider participating in Fashion Revolution Day this year. And here’s my post from last year, the first year of the […]
Wonderful how you tied in the video with the concepts behind Fashion Revolution Day. Fashion is not worth dying over and the lives that were lost should be a reminder of how our actions can affect others. By making more conscious purchases as consumers, we can start influencing how companies practice business.
Thank you so much for your kind words, Brooke.
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[…] is Fashion Revolution Week and Monday marked the fourth anniversary of the building collapse at Rana Plaza. Since 2013, the issue of ethical clothing has moved closer […]