This Sustainability-Conscious Fashion Event Is Taking Place Across Ireland This Week

What’s it all about?

Fashion Revolution Week is a global movement campaigning for a better fashion industry. An industry that can be safer for workers, cleaner for the environment and better for the future.

Why do we need it?

April 24th marks the 4th anniversary of the collapse of the Rana Plaza garment factory in which 1138 people were killed and many more injured. The factory in Dhaka, Bangaldesh housed many of the high-streets favourite brands. The factory was deemed unsafe to work in due to cracks in the wall, but management forced staff to enter.

What’s going on now?

According to Human Rights Watch, not much has changed in the past few years. Garment workers are still forced to labour in unsafe conditions, for excessively long hours – often underpaid, over worked and denied the right to join a union.

Let’s get some perspective: In Bangladesh, a garment worker earns €49.56 per month, which equates to less than what is deemed acceptable for the living wage. Rosie O’Reilly of Re-Dress says “The global fashion industry is worth well over two trillion dollars, an industry of such value should not be able to profit at the cost of people and planet, its time for change and time to ask “who made our clothes”?”

Where can I learn more?

The Clean Clothes Campaign is a great way to understand the complexity of the garment industry. The organisation constantly update their site with information regarding to policies and issues in the industry.

How can I get involved?

The easiest way to get involved is to reach out to your favourite brand, asking the question #whomademyclothes. In numbers comes force and this encourages brands (hopefully) to become more transparent in their supply chain. Take a snap of that new dress and tag the brand on social media. Check here for more information. There’s events on too!

What’s happening near me?

Check out the Fashion Revolution Week Ireland Facebook page for all the events near you in Dublin, Galway, Cork and Sligo