Today is Fashion Revolution Day. This day marks the second anniversary of the Rana Plaza factory collapse in Bangladesh, which killed over eleven hundred people and injured thousands more.
I’m joining others as we ask, “Who made my clothes?” Check out Instagram hashtags for #fashrev, #whomademyclothes, #fashionrevolutionday, and #whomadeyourclothes for lots of inspiring photos. You might see photos of people wearing their clothes inside out to show the labels–transparency in fashion!
I know who made my clothes!
Lois Eastlund made my dress. It looks fantastic (even inside out) because it’s handmade and she paid a lot of attention to detail. She’s a NY-based fashion designer and one of the founders of La Fashionista Compassionista–an awesome (and free) online magazine that you should get your hands on!
Moses made my boots. They’re handmade in a factory in LA. The company, Nicora Johns, is helping to keep the US shoemaking industry alive. When I bought my boots, I got a photo of Moses in the shop where he made these. They’re also vegan–no animals or humans harmed!
Crystalyn Kae made my purse. It’s glazed fabric. Another great leather alternative. I met Crystalyn when she was located in Seattle. She’s based in NYC now, but you can find her amazing bags in stores nationwide and on her website.
Roque from Get Hell Bent made my cuff. It’s made from recycled bicycle tires. I have three of her cuffs. They’re so edgy and tough!
I made my earrings! It’s fun to create. My simple drop-chain earrings were easy to make and have become my go-to pair. They match everything!
I don’t know who made my tights. So it’s not a perfect outfit. But thinking about where my clothing comes from has opened my eyes. I heard 1 in 6 people is employed in fashion. But who are they? What are their working conditions like? How environmentally friendly is the factory? Animal skins require so many chemicals to turn them into leather and not decompose.
Fashion isn’t perfect, but I love knowing where my clothes came from and who made them. My goal is to buy exclusively from sustainable ethical companies. Sometimes that means things cost more. But do I really need thirty $8 tank tops? What if I had eight $30 tanks? They’d last longer, and I’d be putting my dollars where my values are.
Let’s start a revolution!
jeanofalltrades 
Reblogged this on fashionable over 50.
Thanks for reblogging!
Devastation like this happen and life goes on, but we need to care, and be part of the changes needed to make the world a safer place for everyone. Let’s vote with our dollars! Thank you for caring and sharing this important message!
Fashion with compassion: for people, for animals, for our world! ❤
Yes! Our dollars are very powerful.
I learned that from YOU!! ❤
Reblogged this on 50ymaravillosa.
Thank you!
Wow. I never even think about who makes my clothes. So many things to consider.
There are a lot of things to think about! I’m not anti-foreign-company. I know some conscientious companies support fair trade around the world. Others who source from China but visit the factories first-hand to inspect conditions and makes sure they operate with shared values. At least we can ask “who made my clothes?” and see how companies respond.
I’m not much of a clotheshorse, so at least I keep almost everything I buy for anywhere between several years and decades, but I do appreciate that you’re highlighting some ethical companies!
Love your outfit and that bag 🙂
Thank you! I’ve used that bag as my daily purse for several years. It’s so durable and the perfect size!