“Loved clothes last!” is a mantra to live by! But it is also a book written by Fashion Revolution founder Orsolo de Castro. I bought the book when it first came out earlier in the year, but only got around to reading it and finished it yesterday.
It just so happens that this nicely coincides with the start of Fashion Revolution Week 2021.
What is Fashion Revolution Week I hear you ask!
The Fashion Revolution campaign started after the collapse of the Rana Plaza garment factory complex killing 1,134 garment workers in Dhaka Bangladesh on 24th April 2013. The factories were making clothes for UK high street brands amongst others.
Fashion Revolution Week is held on the anniversary of this date to campaign for a global fashion industry that conserves and restores the environment and values people over growth and profit.
The theme for this year is: Rights, Relationships & Revolution!
You can find out more about Fashion Revolution Week here. But one of the main things that we can do as consumers is to ask brands, “Who made my clothes?” to encourage transparency in the supply chain.
As a clothing maker, I know who made my clothes, it was me! But we can go even further and ask “what’s in my clothes?”.
Choosing the best fabric options is one thing you and I can do as dressmakers to minimise our impact on the textile workers and environment destruction from the manufacture of fabric. There is far more to think about than the scope of this article. But some ideas to point you in the right direction are to look for fabric that is not mixed fibres, opt for natural fibres over man-made, choose organic cotton where possible and consider locally made fabrics where that is an option.
Loved Clothes Last!
This however brings me back to my original point: Loved clothes last! If you want a thought producing book that will give you practical ways to be a conscious consumer and to add your voice to the many to make a difference then buy this book!
It will challenge the way you think about, buy, make and wear clothes. And remind you that clothes are for keeps not just once and done! It will help you to consider your fabric choices and weave memories into the fibres of your clothes.
Love & Stitches
Alison xx
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