Fashion Revolution Week 2016

This is the first year Fashion Revolution Day expands into Fashion Revolution week. It developed from the heart-wrenching observation and remembrance of the tragedy at Rana Plaza on April  24, 2013.  Many of the designers and labels behind the clothing supplied to western consumers claimed that they were unaware of the working conditions where their clothing was produced.  

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On December 2, 2015 the people behind the Fashion Revolution movement published a white paper on the need for transparency in the supply chain within the fashion industry. You can read about it here. Not only is transparency important so is awareness. 

Which leads us to this year's focus, not only should we ask questions about the fashions made far away but those made close to home.

Who are the people in your life that make, repair, pick, design, rework, style and salvage your clothing?  This year, [the folks at Fashion Revolution] are asking for picture and video content that highlights the fashion industry around YOU.

• Your local tailor. 

• The pickers at your favourite vintage shop. 

• Your neighbour who knit you a scarf. 

• The owner of the eco baby clothing store around the corner. 

• Your grandmother the quilter. 

• Your niece who has committed to 1 year without buying anything new. 

• Your father who taught you how to repair the button on your jacket. 

• The designer you read about who makes a ZERO waste clothing line and you just ordered a garment.

As many of you know, I've been trying to RTW fast for three years now. I haven't always been successful at completely cutting out RTW from my wardrobe. Some items are beyond my current skill set (ski-pants, sweaters, and bras) or are made out of materials that I can not easily find (cashmere and other desirable natural fibres). And lets face it, I could never be a RTW faster if it weren't for a community of people backing me up. It takes a village to make it through this journey.  

Here's to a week of asking tough questions, learning from those tough questions, re-examining our own habits, and mindful sewing!