Exeter joins movement for Fair Trade Fashion
Campaigners in Exeter are organising a week of events to raise awareness of the need for a more sustainable and ethical clothes manufacturing industry, as part of a global movement to wipe out human exploitation, waste, and environmental damage.
Fashion Revolution Week takes place from Monday April 23rd until Saturday 28th and the activities in Exeter have been organised by the independent local company Sancho’s, which has two shops in Fore Street selling certified FairTrade fashion clothing and accessories, made from sustainable natural materials.
The campaign week comes almost exactly five years after the shocking events of April 2013 when the Rana Plaza garment factory in Bangladesh collapsed, killing 1,138 people and injuring a further 2,500. The factory had been producing clothes for major retail companies in Europe and North America, and the causes of the collapse included shoddy construction, a building with too many floors, and too much heavy equipment for the structure to withstand.
It was the fourth largest industrial disaster in history, and highlighted the failure of many top Western fashion brands to protect workers in the poor developing countries where their goods are manufactured, and where business success depends on low manufacturing costs achieved through the exploitation of powerless, low-wage, long-hours workers.
The tragedy was a chilling illustration of the damage caused by Western ‘throwaway’ attitudes to cheap clothing and frivolous fashion. Fashion Revolution Week aims to shift the way consumers think about choosing, buying and disposing of clothes. At the moment items are being produced too cheaply, at a great human cost, and often thrown away a few months later, despite their potential value as recycled or re-used material. And consumers are doing all this without any thought about how the original textiles were produced, how the garments were manufactured, or what environmental impact this process is having.
The events in Exeter for Fashion Revolution Week will raise awareness of these issues, equip people with more informed choices about buying clothes, and provide enjoyable opportunities to swap unwanted clothing and learn how to create a stylish ‘capsule’ wardrobe. And it’s not just for women – men are a big part of the clothing and fashion market. Sancho’s, who are organising the Exeter events, have a men’s clothes shop as well, and are hoping men will join the clothes swap and take an interest in the other events and activities.
The Fashion Revolution Week events at Sancho’s take place across its two shops in the lower area of Exeter High Street, all between 6pm and 8pm, and are as follows:
Monday 23rd April: Repair and Rejuvenate Workshop
At this event anyone can bring in any worn out or broken items of clothing and local seamstresses will show you how to repair and rejuvenate them. We will be holding workshops in embroidery, buttons, patches, tie-dye and sewing!
Tuesday 24th April: Clothes Swap for Surfers Against Sewage
Bring in good quality but unworn items of clothing and get the opportunity to swap them with other people’s unwanted clothing, all to raise money for a top environmental cause. Other items will come from local shop partners and their unsold stock.
Wednesday 25th April: Capsule Collection Launch
Our capsule collection is a collection of diverse, staple ethical items that are suitable for many different occasions and can be paired together or apart. We will be selling these pieces as a set for one price!
Thursday 26th April: Introduction to Ethical Fashion Talk & Sancho's Journal Release
We will be launching our spring/summer collection journal which will showcase our top products and provide facts, figures and useful information on:
• The sustainable fashion economy and its benefits
• Social, environmental and economic sustainability; what they are and how buying sustainable fashion brands can help you reap the benefits
The launch will be accompanied by a live-streamed talk from our founder on how we went about building an ethical business; both in the way we function and the products we sell. There will also be an opportunity after the talk to shop and ask questions about any of our products and their stories.
Friday 27th April: Meet the Makers Discussion Panel
A discussion panel led by Professor Ian Cooke with representatives from a few of the 50 local and international ethical brands that Sancho's carry, and members of the local ethical business community. They will be talking about their experiences with sustainable business, the importance of sustainable consumption and the role businesses have to play,and providing tips for businesses and individuals on how to shop, consume, operate and live more sustainably.
Saturday 28th April: Fashion Revolution Sale
We are hosting our biggest Sale Day yet on Worldwide Fashion Revolution Sales Day. Here you can expect 10% off everything in-store and online, 500 free goodie bags to give out with purchases, the launch of new summer lines, live music, drinks and nibbles and a chance to celebrate the revolution for ethical fashion!
