April 24, 2023 - Fashion Revolution Day
On Fashion Revolution Day, held every April 24 annually, people come together to give direction to the future of the fashion industry by steering campaigns and calling on our favorite brands in fashion using our social media influence. This helps promote transparency in the fashion industry and encourages dialogue to reform unsustainable practices. Since the first-ever Fashion Revolution Day on April 24, 2014, the industry has seen reforms in nearly one hundred countries worldwide.
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF THE FASHION REVOLUTION DAY
On April 24, 2013, in Dhaka, Bangladesh, Rana Plaza, an eight-story garment factory building, collapsed. As a result, over 1,300 men, women, and children died, causing over 2,500 injuries and leading to 800 orphans. This unfortunate event which will remain the most unpleasant disaster in industrial design and the history of fashion, brought together a global community to establish a more ethical fashion industry and birthed the fashion revolution.
For many years now, the public has not scrutinized the lack of transparency in the fashion industry. The supply chain is vague and very complex, with millions of workers getting exploited and made to work for so many unrealistic hours for insufficient wages under poor conditions. The disaster of the Rana Plaza shocked our realities as we watched each limp body being removed from the rubble. This awakened us to the existence of the fast fashion industry and pointed at the terrible working conditions under which many in the textile industry and garment makers are working.
Initially, Fashion Revolution Day, which now celebrates its ninth year since its founding, started as an online and social media movement. People globally would be encouraged to ask fashion and clothing brands, “who made my clothes?” using the hashtag #WhoMadeMyClothes. Today, several campaigns are done globally to look at the issues surrounding the fashion industry and help champion a systemic change that could lead to a more sustainable future in the fashion industry.
FIVE THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT FASHION REVOLUTION DAY
The collapse of the Rana Plaza in Dhaka, Bangladesh, created this holiday
Since production significantly affects the environment, fashion needs to be viewed differently.
By law, fashion brands are now required to inspect factories and working conditions following the collapse.
Following the collapse, there were more than 1,300 bodies of dead men, women, and children.
This encourages fashion brands to be more open about their production practices.
IMPORTANCE OF THE FASHION REVOLUTION DAY
Dialogue is an essential part of today’s society. The more people talk about the history of Fashion Revolution Day, the more they understand the fashion industry's impact in the community. Thus, this day promotes ethical consumption.
As humans, out of sight equals out of mind, and many of us do not know the efforts it takes to produce the garments we wear.
The Clothing and Textile industry has a social responsibility code that requires them to provide a conducive environment for their staff by ending exploitation and employing practices promoting sustainability with no negative environmental impact.
