Looking Behind The Labels: Fashion Revolution Day #whomademyclothes

Guest blog from Judith Condor-Vidal, Member of Walton Manor WI and ethical fashion campaigner

On 24th April 2013, 1,133 people were killed and over 2500 were injured when the Rana Plaza factory complex collapsed in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Social and environmental catastrophes are sadly all too common in fashion supply chains. Fashion Revolution Day - on 24th April - says enough is enough. 

I’ll be marking the anniversary by taking part in this year’s day of action with members of Walton Manor WI.  Fashion Revolution Day will bring everyone in the fashion value chain together and help to raise awareness of the true cost of fashion, show the world that change is possible, and celebrate all those involved in creating a more sustainable future.

As consumers, every one of us is part of this chain.

On the second anniversary of the disaster we aim to raise awareness of the true cost of fashion, show the world that change is possible, and celebrate all those involved in creating a more sustainable future for fashion. The theme of this year’s Fashion Revolution Day is ‘Who Made My Clothes’ (and no, this doesn’t just mean which brand....it means who? literally!) Let’s imagine the thread from the garment, to the machinist who sewed it, all the way down to the farmer who grew the cotton.

Fashion Revolution has come up with a simple ways in which you can take part:

BE CURIOUS
Wear an item of clothing inside out —choose an item from your wardrobe and wear it inside out all day — Ask yourself where is it from? —Who made it?

FIND OUT
Ask brands who made my clothes? And try and discover who are the real people throughout the supply chain involved in manufacturing our clothes.

DO SOMETHING
We hope hundreds of thousands of people around the world will take part and raise awareness within the fashion industry and beyond of the need to try and make things better.

Two hashtags are being used this year. Use #FashRev for tweets throughout the year, and on and around 24 April, use the campaign hashtag #whomademyclothes.

On 24 April, please tweet: Today I’m wearing my (shirt/dress/t-shirt etc.) inside out because I want to ask @[brand/retailer] #whomademyclothes.

Tell your friends, family and colleagues about Fashion Revolution Day and get them to wear something inside out.

And why not take a picture of yourself wearing an item of clothing inside out? Share it on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram with #whomademyclothes and write to and tag the brand, asking them the question Who Made My Clothes?  Follow the lead of Dee Sinclair, Oxford City Councillor and former Lord Mayor, taking part in the event in 2014.

With these simple actions we can all join Fashion Revolution Day! At Walton Manor WI members will be getting together at 7pm this 24th April at the city of Oxford’s Town Hall and wearing our clothes inside out for a photo shoot with the Lord Mayor of Oxford. Join us or organise your own get together.

For more information
Check out the Fashion Revolution Day website to discover the stories behind the people who made your clothes or find out what’s happening in your area.

Play the Fashion Revolution Day Quiz to test your knowledge! Whether you’re an eco-fashion boffin or not, we know you’ll find some interesting facts and be challenged to think more about Who Made My Clothes!  For Quiz answers, please email  judith@tradingfordevelopment.co.uk