Time to Take a Stand for Garment Workers!
Although we all rely on fast-fashion brands like H&M, Forever21, or Fashion Nova, we all might be forgetting how these brands manage to make all these garments and accessories for such affordable prices. These brands depend on large factories or “sweatshops” in order to keep racks filled in their hundreds of stores and online. In Bangladesh alone, there are over 4,800 garment factories whose workforce is predominantly women. Often these factories have terrible conditions that are not safe, leading to job injuries or factory fires. Garment workers in these factories are also paid way less than a livable wage. Working long 14 to 16-hour shifts for less than 3000 takas (approximately $35USD) a month.
There are many alternatives to fast fashion brands for fashionable and affordable clothing. And by buying elsewhere we are standing in solidarity with the garment workers all over the world that face unjust conditions and pay. One alternative to fast fashion is thrifting. Stores like Plato’s Closet and Buffalo Exchange are an example of chain retailers that buy and sell trendy clothes. I live in Upstate New York so there aren’t many of these chains around but there are many local thrift shops that can offer you the same experience. As online fashion continues to grow, so does the resale market. Apps like Poshmark, Thredup, or Letgo allow you to shop from home with a wider variety. These alternatives are also environmentally friendly, ensuring that no clothing goes to waste.
During my research, I also searched for Fair Trade retailers. Fair Trade certified companies create their products in factories that have safe working conditions and pay a fair wage for the jobs being done. Some well known Fair Trade certified companies are OBEY and J. Crew. I discovered a brand named Pact that offers athletic and casual wear as well.
We all have to take our stand to ensure garment workers are working in safe environments and getting fair wages. Here’s a link to a petition to sign which is only the first of many steps to make changes
Photo Cred: 1000logos.com
Report: Lauren Tucker
At the rise of Covid-19 many of us first questioned the timeline of fashion week and would we see the regular calendar continue - the question weighed over many of us for months! It was refreshing to see design houses and designers across the globe take advantage of the uncertainty and plow into production mode - thus my interest in Jerri Reid New York - The Black Designer based in Brooklyn New York wow’d instagram with his latest collection paying homage to the Black Is King film which debuted earlier this year in July. I was taken aback at quick of a turn round the young designer produced and released his well crafted designs reflecting some of the films most memorable moments.