from fashion revolution.org 

THE PROBLEM WITH FASHION INDUSTRY 

Current estimates suggest that 150 billion new garments are produced annually. 

Consumption 

Global fashion consumption continues to gain speed at unsustainable levels and relies on a culture of disposability. Around the world, we produce too much clothing, from harmful materials, much of which ends up incinerated or in landfill. 

We must rethink the nature of fashion consumption, adopting new ways of engaging with fashion, and calling on brands to rethink linear business models, honouring those who make our clothes and treasuring the clothes we own. 

Actions:Care for the clothes you already own, host a clothes swap. 

Producing plastic-based textiles uses approx. 342 million barrels of oil each year.

Composition

The textiles we wear are made from precious natural resources and generate massive environmental impacts in their production. Plastic-based materials that now comprise the majority of our clothes are shedding microfibres into waterways and endangering human health and nature’s ecosystems. And, many of the fibres we wear use harmful chemical processes in dyeing and finishing, which comprises the health of worker and wearer.

Actions:Respond to #whatsinmyclothes, review policies & commitments. 

77% of UK retailers believe there is a likelihood of modern slavery in their supply chain.

Conditions

From child labour on cotton fields to trafficking and forced labour in the garment industry, the fashion supply chain routinely exploits some of the most vulnerable people. We are calling for deeper transparency to help end modern slavery and uphold the human rights of everyone in the fashion supply chain.

Actions:Respond to #whomademyclothes, review brand policies & commitments. 

Over 90% of workers in the global garment industry have no possibility to negotiate their wages or conditions.

Collective action

From gender inequality to environmental degradation, the fashion industry continues to exploit people and resources. What we can’t achieve alone, we can champion together. When people join together their voices are amplified. This is as true for workers in the supply chain as it is for activists and campaigners. We want to mobilise everyone to join together and make change.

Actions:Review policies & commitments, donate. 

Since Fashion Revolution started, people from all over the world have used their voice and their power to demand change from the fashion industry... And it’s working. The industry is starting to listen. 

We’ve seen brands being open about where their clothes are made and the impact their materials are having on the environment. 

We’ve seen manufacturers make their factories safer and more of the people in the supply chain being seen and heard. Designers are now considering people and planet when creating new clothing. Citizens are thinking before they buy. 

But the story is far from over. We are only just getting started. We can’t stop until every worker who makes our clothes is seen, heard and paid properly and the environments they live and work in are safe. We can't stop until the culture of consumption is changed and we learn to love and appreciate our clothes and the people that made them. 

Together, we will create a revolution.