April 18th, through April 24th is the third annual Fashion Revolution Week. Organized by people who are part of the the apparel production world — designers, textile makers, sewists, models, production houses — the purpose of this week is to educate people all around the world about the human suffering, the waste and the environmental impact of the production of fast fashion.
April 24th is the third anniversary of the collapse of Rana Plaza in Bangladesh, the largest disaster in fashion history. Some 1,333 workers died and 2,500 were injured while laboring in the five factories manufacturing clothing for the Western market. Many of those who died and were injured had attempted to protest the unsafe working conditions and were beaten and forced to enter the building. Within an hour of their entrance, the building collapsed. The tragedy was well covered by the world media, and the horrors of the recovery effort. Reform was called for and the companies behind the labels that were found in the ruins were asked to contribute to the the disaster relief.
Three years later, the Fashion Revolution is urging consumers to ask fashion houses “who made my clothes.” For those of us who produce apparel and accessories following “slow fashion” methods, ask us to to explain “who” and “what” go into our claimed ethically produced garments, accessories and fabrics we market under the Whispirit label. Lee and I hand make the fabric which comes mostly from our alpaca herd or other US raised alpaca. We know each and every person who contributes to our apparel line, the people who mill the fibers, the people who make the patterns, the people who sew the garments. We know the person who makes most of our buttons and, if we don’t, dyes our fibers. Each vendor establishes their hourly charge or piece work price for their work on our line. We are proud of that fact and committed to ethical and environmentally sound practices and transparency in our business practices. We are committed to producing our work guided by a moral sense of beauty.
Please like the Fashion Revolution Facebook page, and read their facts and information about fashion. Ask your favorite label “Who Made My Clothes?
Until next week…….. Sandy
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