This year London Fashion Week is taking place 15 – 19 February. So it’s time to get excited! It’s the week renowned for showcasing incredible talent in the fashion world, featuring designers across the spectrum of clothing, accessories, footwear – you name it, it’s there.
Above all, the fashion world is about trends. And this week is no different. Everyone is looking to be part of the next trend, or better yet, pioneer it.
Jesus calls us to be the salt and light of the earth (Matthew 5:13-16) and in Romans 12 Paul reminds us not to conform to the ways of the world. So let’s make sure we’re not just going with the flow, but instead bring so that justice prevails.
There are numerous issues of injustice in the fashion industry; slave labour, increasingly high carbon footprints, irresponsible sourcing of materials, lack of recycling and fast fashion causing huge turnover to name a few.
Like me, Carry Somers was motivated into action by the Rana Plaza Factory collapse of 2013. She has a career spanning more than 20 years in the fashion industry and has used her influence and knowledge to set a new trend – the Fashion Revolution. Have you seen #whomademyclothes on social media or in campaigns? Fashion Revolution Started that, and the effect is starting to snowball.
I investigated the great wealth of resources Fashion Revolution has to offer and picked five things we can do over London Fashion Week to show our support of a new trend in fashion – fairness, equality, and a celebration of the materials, designers and labourers who give our wardrobes such joy!
1. Write a letter
Fashion Revolution have some templates you can use to contact brands and retailers. Ultimately brands want to satisfy want their customers want. So tell them you want fair wages, sustainable materials and slow fashion. Why not pick a designer that will be at London Fashion Week?
2. Use social media
Take a selfie with the hashtag #whomademyclothes and tag the brands of the clothes your wearing. This will raise awareness and show retailers that you care about the individuals behind the clothes on your back.
3. Get political
Local MPs and policymakers have a responsibility to listen to the voice of their constituents, so tell them that you want to see a change in fashion legislation to make a fairer production line.
4. Become an ambassador.
Fashion Revolution are on the lookout for students across campuses worldwide to represent the cause and raise awareness. You could also look into other initiatives to be a part of, such as thenuwardrobe.com or start a movement of your own suitable to your environment.
5. Download educational resources
Get people thinking with resources that you can use at home, work, clubs or in places of education. People aren’t aware of the huge injustices in the fashion industry, so a quiz night, blog post, awareness-raising bake sale, or even a thought-provoking art installation can all help set a new trend.
All the information from Fashion Revolution can be found on their website including their latest reports that feature some of the most comprehensive information on the issues affecting the fashion industry.