Since the first Fashion Revolution Day five years ago, millions of people have taken action, and companies are starting to act too. Over 150 brands have published the locations of the factories where their clothes are made, and hundreds of factories are safer places to work.
But there’s still a long way to go. The majority of the roughly 75 million people who work to make our clothes continue to live in poverty, unable to afford life’s basic necessities. Many are subject to exploitation; verbal and physical abuse, working in unsafe and dirty conditions, with very little pay. 80% are women between the ages of 18 and 35.
Support Fashion Revolution Week by asking brands who made your clothes, and of course, ask others to do the same. It’s easy to do, and you’ll find much more information at www.fairtrade.co.uk
In the world of clothing, Fairtrade is best known for bringing a better deal to cotton farmers, at the start of the garment supply chain. The Fairtrade Textile Standard is a new initiative to bring Fairtrade benefits across the entire garment sector.
Watch the brand new film Unravelling the Thread, which shines a light on the dark side of the fashion industry, and shows the role consumers can play.
