Ethical Fashion topics were a key part of the Sustainatopia conference in Miami, Florida, last week, bringing to the forefront pioneers in the ethical fashion industry including Matt Reynolds from Indigenous, Marci Zaroff from Under the Canopy, Howard Brown from Stewart + Brown, along with a score of other leaders. It was an honor for Label Networks to also be asked to present twice regarding youth culture and issues of sustainability from our “Sustainability and the State of the Future Youth Culture Study,” including ethical fashion and the rising interest among young people around the globe.
The ethical fashion movement is catching fire, especially among 13-25-year-olds today, as more people realize the importance of understanding where their apparel is made, how it’s made and under what conditions, and learning about ways that fashion can be used as a force for good. Similar to the rise in farm-to-table practices and the growing concern over our food and water sources, GMO products, and lack of transparency in food production, so too is ethical fashion moving into the forefront of consciousness among a new and enlightened consumer.
One of the key highlights coming from the conference that rallied brands together was Fashion Revolution Day, which takes place Thursday, April 24, 2014. Fashion Revolution is a call to action, getting people to wear their clothes inside-out for one day, and asking the question, “Who Made Your Clothes?”
One year ago on April 24, 2013, 1,133 people were killed when the Rana Plaza factory complex collapsed in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Many more were injured. According to Fashion Revolution, people are still suffering as a direct result of our fashion supply chain. Fashion Revolution Day says enough is enough.
This year on April 24th, people around the world — from designers and icons, to high street shops and high couture, from cotton farmers and factory workers, to campaigners, academics, the media and any individual who cares about what they wear – will come together to say the same. First, is remembering its victims and raising awareness of the fashion industry’s biggest challenges. Events are taking place in London, New York, Boston, Israel, Mexico, Japan and more. People will be wearing their clothing inside out, tweeting it, and joining the movement.
Celebs are joining the movement. Amber Valletta, supermodel, actress and founder of Master & Muse, the premiere online store offering fashion that is made responsibly says, “We all need to pay attention to how and where our clothes are made because we share a common thread: humanity. They say that you are what you eat. Well, the same holds true for fashion; you are what you wear. Buy better.”
For Matt Reynolds, President of Indigenous and Fashion Revolution Day Board member, it’s important to support consumers in making more conscious style choices. “We are honored to be a part of this important campaign driving awareness to fair treatment of garment workers worldwide.”
Check it out: FashionRevolutionUSA.org, buy the T-shirt “Who Made Your Clothes” Fashion Revolution Day designed by Michael Stars and produced by Under the Canopy. T-shirt proceeds will go to the Rana Plaza Donors Trust Fund honoring the victims and survivors of April 24, 2013. Wear your clothes #insideout @Fash_RevUSA.
