Fashion - part of the climate crisis which could become sustainable. The follow up!
With Fashion Revolution Week just around the corner (22nd - 29th April) we wanted to mark the occasion by drawing attention to the fashion industry and the ways and means in which it currently damages our people and planet.
This is an incredibly complex topic, with many areas for concern and so, we invited award winning author Tansy Hoskins to chat with us about Fashion and its story of inequality, racism and climate crisis. Tansy E. Hoskins is an award winning author and journalist who investigates the global fashion industry. This work has taken her to Bangladesh, India, North Macedonia, and to the Topshop warehouses in Solihull.
The session took place on Wednesday 19th April 2023 and was well attended by people all over the country. It was brilliant to open our virtual doors to so many people from the Highlands, Islands and much further afeild. Tansy is currently based in London.
Tansy began the session by discussing the Rana Plaza tragedy which has it’s 10th anniversary on Monday 24th April. The tragedy is the worst industrial incident to hit the garment industry. The Rana Plaza building in Bangladesh collapsed and killed over a thousand people and injured thousands more. The day before the collapse, large structural cracks were discovered and while the businesses which made up the lower floors of the building, closed immediately, thousands of garment workers were ordered to continue working by their management and ended up facing the unthinkable the very next day.
It is extreme cases like this which really highlight the working conditions garment workers face on a day to day basis. Tansy gave an insight into how the global north exploit the global south to feed the fashion industrty. She then gave considered and practical suggestions as to how we, as citizens and consumers can support garment workers and the desire for change within the industry.
Tansy spoke candidly about her preference to discuss political activism rather than action we can take as consumers. This showed a clear and caring understanding of the issues individuals face, from everything from garment sizing issues, accesibility, the availability of quality clothing and of course, the cost of living crisis which drives many of us towards fast fashion through no choice of our own. On a personal level, this was the most interesting part of the evening. As someone who has been actively trying to shop more sustainably (sometimes more sucessfully than others!) I discovered a perhaps greater value on making a political stance than simply chosing more mindfully where to spend my money, or choosing to purchase pre loved. I now feel empowered and confident to take my activism one step futher. Even if on occasion, I still slip into a River Island.
After Tansy’s talk, it was time for discussion/question and answer session which I was thrilled to see so many questions from those in attendace. This provoked yet more inspiring discussion. One question in particular was;
Do you believe that if garment workers were paid more, the cycle to environmental destruction could be slowed down? How much of a worker's wage is contributed to the price of the final garment?
This sparked a super interesting discussion which lead to Tansy sharing this article which explains in huge detail one answer to the question.
Below I’ll list the links which were shared in the chat for further reading:
Rana Plaza Solidarity Collective - for more details on the Rana Plaza Tradgedy and campaign for justice for garment workers.
Stand in Solidarity with Sri Lanka - this website allows us to support garment workers and their families immediately by providing them with nutritious food.
The Good On You app - which allows you to check your favourite brands rating against how they treat people, the planet and animals. Please bear in mind that this is for if/when you’ve decided to buy new.
Tansy’s website - where you can purchase physical copies of her book and sign up to her free monthly newsletter. The books are also available in various libraries and via audiobook.
Lastly, for those resident within the Highlands, there are two upcoming in person events. A film screening of The True Cost within Velocity in Inverness and a film screening of Fashion Reimagined with a clothing swap within Lyth Arts Centre in Caithness.
*Image from Tansy’s website