How was the person who made your jumper feeling?
Most of the time I have no idea. Of course, I naively hope they were ‘fine’ as I try to make conscious purchases and keep an eye on fashion brands. But we know that even if the fashion brand claims to have ‘great control’ over the supply chain, this is not always true. This is because we have outsourced an entire industry where price and volume rule, and where the people whose hands make our clothes often literally bleed. We have no control over what's happening in that country far away in Asia. Do we even want to know?
If you knew that someone was feeling terrible while they made your shirt or trousers, would you still buy them? Of course not. I think none of us would buy another piece of fast fashion ever again if we knew the truth behind some of them. The conditions under which they were made. And all to satisfy the western world's need for often cheap, trendy novelties. There are of course some budget clothes that are produced under fair conditions – BUT – in 2023, forced labour is still a reality, affecting over 27 million people worldwide (and not just in fashion). 27 million! Now, the EU has come up with a proposal to ban all products made using forced labour, so we are moving in the right direction.
I got a real boost today from streaming designer Louise Xin's fashion show against forced labour, a performance by the Human Rights Watch Creators Society and Teatro Raizes, which was shown during a panel discussion in the European Parliament in March.
I will try to be better at thinking, caring and reflecting more on who made my clothes. I can vote with my wallet – I need to remind myself of that every day.
Photo: Alain ROLLAND Copyright: © European Union 2023 - Source : EP