The 2020 Fashion Revolution Week

Seven years ago, on April 24, the Rana Plaza garment factory in Bangladesh collapsed. This incident killed over 1,000 garment workers, and injured thousands more. As the news of this horrific event spread worldwide, people started to open their eyes to the exploitation of the fashion industry. 

That’s when the Fashion Revolution Week was born. 

Fashion Revolution is a global movement of consumers, designers, workers, and companies. It is a movement that seeks to bring awareness to consumers and businesses. It also hopes to improve transparency within the industry, and provide resources to consumers, governments, businesses, and anyone willing to learn. 

“We believe in a fashion industry that values people, the environment, creativity and profit in equal measure.”

This isn’t an anti-fashion group. Instead, it is a group of fashion lovers that want to see the industry do better.

Better for the people who make and wear their clothes.

Better for the environment. And better for us, as consumers. 

What is the Fashion Revolution Week?

Fashion Revolution Week falls during the anniversary of the Rana Plaza week. It’s a week to remember the people who died, and to look towards the future. During the week of April 24, people from around the world, like you and me, can participate. This year, between April 20-26, we can use our influence to voice our concerns about the fashion industry. 

Social Media Awareness

Using #whomademyclothes, we can encourage companies and brands to be transparent with their supply chain. You might not think that you have any power over the companies, but just by asking, “Who made my clothes?” you are participating in a larger, global conversation. 

Social media is a powerful tool in today’s world. By participating digitally, we can help start the conversation with brands and other people about what radical transparency means. With all of our voices, we can make a difference. 

On top of the digital activism Fashion Revolution Week encourages, there are events throughout the world. This includes talks, film screenings, and even fashion swaps. We can gather together in our communities to learn, share, swap, and educate. To find events, simply go to their website, and search your region. 

In addition to the events, Fashion Revolution offers several resources for free. One of the main things it offers is educational resources you can use to share with groups. It also offers downloadable and printable posters and postcards, so you can spread the message around your home, workplace, or even afar. 

Fashion Revolution is an open-source network, and offers access to how-to guides, research reports, and free campaigning tools. With these, we all can have an impact on the fashion industry. 

The Impact

In the seven years since the event began, they’ve gained partnerships with over 500 companies. They’ve also seen the expansion of governmental policies in 18 different countries concerning ethical fashion. These policies include things like health and welfare of garment workers, environmental protection, and more. 

This sort of change is only possible thanks to people like you and me who participate. Through social media, Fashion Revolution has reached almost 3 million people. As the movement grows, they can continue to make huge strides in the industry. 

If you are interested in all the details of the impact they’ve had, check out their 2019 report.