Fashion

How much thought do you put into what you are wearing? No, not whether you can pull off your mum’s old flares, or a lime green and pastel pink combo - but the story behind your clothes? Where were they made? What fabric are they made from? Who stitched them? Did they get a fair wage and safe working conditions?

Fashion Revolution Week asks all of these questions and more. The organisation was set up in 2014 following the Rana Plaza factory collapse, which killed more than 1,100 people and injured thousands more. The week long campaign, which takes place each year on the anniversary of the tragedy, aims to help consumers pick apart the narrative behind their clothes and think more deeply about the things they buy and wear.

Founders of Fashion Revolution Orsola De Castro and Carry Somers are demanding more transparency in the fashion supply chain and encouraging us all to become fashion activists in a bid for a safer, fairer fashion industry. On the 23rd of April, you’re invited to join the conversation by posting a picture of a beloved garment on social media and using the hashtag: #whomademyclothes. Brands and garment workers are then encouraged to respond with the hashtag #imadeyourclothes to illustrate transparency in their supply chain.

So why should we all be asking who made our clothes? And what’s the true cost of our high street bargains? A sobering statistic revealed by Oxfam stated that it will take a CEO from one of the top five global fashion brands just four days to earn the same amount that a Bangladeshi garment worker will earn in their lifetime. Orsola says: “It’s still an industry which is rife with imbalances of power, and until we start really shining a spotlight on these stories it won’t change.”

Low wages, worker safety and environmental pollution are just a few of the issues covered up by many big fashion brands. And while there are some initiatives in place, such as the Bangladesh accord (a signatory to ensure companies comply with fire and building safety in Bangladesh), these guidelines remain optional. According to Orsola: “The Bangladesh accord expires in May and not many brands are signing up to continue this really groundbreaking, law abiding initiative.”

This is where you come in. Forming a deeper connection to your clothes and the issues surrounding the fashion industry can help us to understand our part in changing it. As consumers we hold a lot more power than we give ourselves credit for, and while we can’t change global industry standards, Orsola believes consumers can start with one simple step, she says: “Begin by opening your wardrobe.”

Prompting us to think before rushing into fast fashion buys (something we’ve all been guilty of), Fashion Revolution is about acknowledging that change can be instigated by the consumer.

There are a number of ways we can become more mindful consumers of fashion. We can start by buying clothes with love. Highlighted in the second edition of Fashion Revolution’s fanzine ‘Loved Clothes Last’, the magazine contained content to inspire the fashion savvy to “buy less, care more, and know how to make the clothes you love last for longer.”

Fashion Revolution asks us to rethink our relationship to clothing, Orsola says: “Buying consciously doesn’t mean buying one brand over another - it means forming a relationship with the piece of clothing that you are buying. If you love it alot, you’ve thought about that purchase, it has a room in your wardrobe, it has a life to live, it has places to accompany you, it has stories to share with you and you can potentially pass it on to your daughter or your best friend - buy it.”

As well having a strong social media community, Fashion Revolution motivates people across the globe to come together for a series of events throughout the year, from inspirational talks to open studios and clothes swaps. Many of the workshops are free and help to arm people with skills and knowledge. Tutorials include upcycling old garments and  textile printing workshops (so that you can cover up the spag bowl stains on your favourite tee.)

Whether it’s about reviving the make-do-and-mend movement, or learning something new, these events help to bring people together. Orsola says: “Whether it is a workshop, panel, screening - any kind of an event - it is as important as connecting online. Forming communities is really important and this is something that Fashion Revolution have always wanted to keep alive - this sense of forming collectives and nurturing them with real conversations.”

And this isn’t a publicity stunt, change really is happening as a result - in 2017 two million people engaged with the campaign with 66,000 people attending Fashion Revolution events. This Fashion Revolution Week, instead of feeling exasperated and powerless against the deep rooted problems within the industry, be inspired to play your part, even if this just means sitting down and discussing the problems with a friend over a cuppa.

Get involved by taking a label selfie and using the hashtag #whomademyclothes. You can find lots of useful information on how to take action on Fashion Revolution’s website, as well as a list of upcoming events. Looking to read more? Find more tips and tricks on reducing your fashion footprint here.

A growing number of fashion forward individuals are working towards a more sustainable clothing industry, swapping fast fashion hauls for vintage finds, reviving the ‘make do and mend’ movement and setting up swap shops with friends. It may not feel like it, but change is coming, and fashion mavericks around the world are putting the cool back into ethical. Here are some smart tips on how to make your wardrobe more sustainable.

The rise of “fast fashion” and the pressures of changing trends has led to an increasingly throwaway clothing culture. We want it all, we want it now and above all - we want it cheap. The average UK household owns a dizzying £4,000 worth of clothes, yet around 30% of clothing in the average wardrobe has not been worn for at least a year. That glitzy top that lured us in with its £5 price tag now sits in the wardrobe gathering dust. The worrying part is many unloved garments don’t even make it to the wardrobe, and instead head to landfill where they join all the other abandoned worn-once outfits. It’s estimated that £140 million worth (350,000 tonnes) of used clothing ends up in landfill every year rather than being recycled, or given away to be used by someone else.

More and more creatives, designers, makers and organisations are proving that your income needn’t prevent you from buying ethically and sustainably-conscious clothing that looks and feels great. One such organisation is Fashion Revolution, a global movement tackling the issue of transparency in the clothing supply chain. Each year, they ask people to take a ‘label selfie’ with their favourite item of clothing, tag the brand they are wearing and post their photo on social media with the hashtag ‘#whomademyclothes.’ The reaction to the campaign has grown substantially since it was launched back in April 2013, with a new hashtag #wemadeyourclothes developing in response. This request for transparency is the first step in convincing brands to take responsibility for working conditions in their supply chains.

Co-founder of Fashion Revolution and fashion designer Orsola De Castro describes this movement: “The core of it is simplicity. I want to respect, know and honour who made my clothes because we are connected by the same thread. The campaign helps to shine a light on the people in the industry who are completely invisible and this has created a bigger conversation globally.”

Fashion Revolution nudges us to be inquisitive about who made our clothes and realise that we are very much a part of the bigger picture.

Here are some easy ways to begin to trim down your fashion footprint…

1. Love thy clothes

Extending the lifespan of your clothes by just three months would lead to a 5-10% decrease in waste, water and carbon footprints. Get a little more wear out of your clothes and think before you throw them away.

2. Bargain hunt

Take the second hand clothing challenge and try buying from vintage or charity shops where possible. Not only will you reduce your fashion footprint, you’ll bag yourself some bargains that are completely unique to you!

3. The old switcheroo

Swap shops are an eco conscious way to refresh your wardrobe while spending zero money. Why not make an evening of it and set a date for you and your friends to switch outfits?

4. A stitch in time

Holey jumpers and socks? No problem. Try your hand at restyling and repairing clothing to get more wear from your threads. If sewing’s not your thing, then find a local tailor to do the hard work for you. If you’re looking for inspiration, check out The Good Wardrobe, a platform which shares knowledge and helps you to prolong the life of your wardrobe.

5. Hire it!

Going to a fancy shindig? Avoid buying outfits you’re only going to wear once by renting them instead. Your wardrobe’s carbon footprint will be smaller, more flexible and fun, while also saving room in your closet.

6. Don’t lose your rag

If your outfit is past repair, then repurpose your fabrics into cleaning rags, or alternatively, make use of local clothing and textiles banks that will reuse or recycle. Most clothing banks will accept anything from bed linen to clothes, shoes, bags and belts.

7. Plastic-not-so-fantastic

You’ve probably heard of microfibers - these plastic ocean-polluters can be found in many of your clothes. When these clothes are cleaned lots of tiny microfibres are released into rivers, lakes and the ocean, potentially poisoning the food chain. Try switching man made polyester clothing for natural materials such as organic cotton. Alternatively, purchase a washing bag that captures microfibers.

8. Quality over quantity

You don’t have to spend a fortune, but try and look for products that are better quality. These will last longer, keeping your fashion footprint smaller.

9. Pins and needles

Looking for more ways to recycle fabric? Try your hand at making your own clothes out of fabric offcuts! If you’re a sewing novice, why not look out for local workshops. There are loads of stitch ‘n’ bitch style groups where you can learn a new skill while having a natter.

No matter what change we make, whether big or small, change really does start with us. Orsola (Fashion Revolution) believes it is simple: “If you take action, you are supporting activism. Begin by opening your wardrobe.”

So here’s to the fashion revolution - let’s make every outfit count.

Thinking of taking the first steps to reduce your fashion footprint, but not sure where to begin? Here are some tech savvy options to help you on your way.

Nothing loosens the purse strings quite like an ongoing struggle to ‘stay on trend’ with fast fashion. In 2017 we spent just under 59.47 billion pounds on clothing, pretty mind boggling huh? And that’s not all - it’s estimated that a 10 billion pounds worth of clothing sits at the back of our wardrobes, unworn and unloved...oh go on, admit it, there’s at least one item in your closet that still has the price tag on?

But we’re slowly waking up to the impact of the fashion industry on people and the environment. With more and more organisations flying the flag for fair fashion, it’s becoming increasingly difficult for brands to hide their dodgy doings. Reports such as Fashion Revolution’s Fashion Transparency Index are helping to reveal the clothing companies who are baring all when it comes to their supply chains. Consumers are also becoming more canny in how they buy their clothes - whether it’s taking to the vintage shops, or recreating catwalk looks from charity shop finds.

So, if you thought that your love of fashion can’t be sustainable, think again. Alongside a number of useful life hacks to help you cut down on fashion waste and shop more ethically, there are a number of apps for your phone, or practical websites to help you along your way.

reGAIN

Clearing out the closet isn’t fun at the best of times, let alone when you then have to pile sacks of unwanted garments onto public transport and locate your nearest clothing bank (old socks and jeans spilling out all over the bus.) While clothing banks are a great way to reduce the amount of clothing sent to landfill, we all enjoy being rewarded for good behaviour.

Introducing this handy free app. ReGAIN rewards you for decluttering your wardrobe in return for discount vouchers at fashion retailers, hotels and even flights, so you can trade in your unloved clothing for something new, or perhaps even a holiday in the sun. Just box up a minimum of 10 items, find your nearest drop off point on the app’s interactive map, print off a shipping label and send the box of clothes for free. Each box dropped off will unlock a list of coupons for you to choose from. According to reGAIN’s website, fifty full trailers of used clothing heads to landfill sites every day, so get on board with their free recycling scheme and you’ll be helping to reduce the amount of clothing that ends up in the bin.

Good On You

Trying to shop in a mindful and ethical way can be incredibly overwhelming. Good On You is a free app that acknowledges this. Easily search for your favourite brands and the app will reveal the company’s ethical rating. Ratings are based on a retailer’s labour, environmental and animal standards and range from ‘we avoid’ to ‘great’. As well as a rating, the app gives a brief and comprehensible report on the brand’s practises, campaigns and any other useful information. If your favourite brand doesn’t score very high, you’ll be given a list of similar retailers who have a higher ethical rating. As an added bonus, you can find exclusive discounts from companies rated as ‘good’ or ‘great.’

Pushing for positive change, the app puts the power in your hands, inviting you to congratulate companies doing well and encouraging other brands to do better on issues that matter to you.

The Good Wardrobe

The Good Wardrobe is a practical website full of sewing knowledge, helping you to prolong the life of your wardrobe. The platform is all about affordable, sustainable style, creativity and promotion of local and ethical industries. Set up by self proclaimed shopaholic turned eco fashion advocate Zoe Robinson, Zoe is renovating the stuffy image of make-do and mend and championing brilliant design, excellent quality and style that still looks after people and the planet.

You’ll find loads of really useful resources on the site, from contacts for hiring sewing equipment, clothes, tailors, cobblers and sewing cafes, to swap sites and blogs on sustainable style. Stuck on how to darn socks, or want to find a great tailor? No problem. The Good Wardrobe has a forum where you can share knowledge and learn more about sustainable style.

Depop

Our fashion tastes can change fast, but how can we overhaul our wardrobe in a more ethical way? As well as new items, Depop has a massive selection of vintage clothes (currently 8,000 Depop shops are dedicated to vintage finds). Alternatively, you can also search for preloved items by using #nothingnew or searching for second hand sellers. The app makes it incredibly easy not just to buy items but also to sell unwanted clothes, simply register for an account, upload a snap of the garments you’re selling from your phone and set your price.

This huge online shopping community is packed with unusual items, vintage sellers, young entrepreneurs and creatives, so you can grab a piece which is completely unique to you. You’ll be set up with a profile and can view what your friends have liked or are selling, as well as being able to inspire your fashion pals all over the world with the items you have bought, liked or sell.

Faer

This free app is changing sustainable fashion’s image from drab to fab. A visual and voice activated search lets you discover the right product for you by presenting you with an assortment of matching items from sustainable, ethical and fair clothing companies from all over the world. Faer only shows you brands which are transparent about how and where their garments are produced and what fabrics and dyes they are using. Head to the ‘Fresh looks’ space for outfit inspiration, or keep your favourites in a wishlist for when you have a little extra pocket money to spend. Sustainable shopping has never been easier!

Ready, set, load

What are you waiting for? Get downloading and discover a number of fantastic ways to give your wardrobe a renewable revamp. If you’re still looking to do more, then read on for lots of fresh ways to start a fashion revolution.