Rachael Millington talks all about fashion in her green focus column

The mainstream fashion industry is built upon the exploitation of labour and natural resources.

Big brands and retailers produce too much too fast, and manipulate us into a toxic cycle of overconsumption. Meanwhile, the majority of people that make our clothes are not paid enough to meet their basic needs.

There is no sustainable fashion without fair pay. Throughout the pandemic, fast fashion brands have made billions, while the majority of workers in their supply chains remain trapped in poverty.

To address this, FR are calling for new laws that require businesses to conduct due diligence on living wages.

This will transform the lives and livelihoods of the people that make our clothes, and help redistribute money and power in the global fashion industry.

In 2022, we need brands to radically reduce their environmental impact by shifting their focus away from growth.

Small businesses and independent creatives around the world are already enacting these ideals; their courage and wisdom will lead the charge.

Currently, there is a lack of understanding and appreciation of the true cost of clothing. Price tags fail to reflect the social and environmental cost of production, while as consumers, we don’t always care for our clothes in the way we should.

We need to scrutinize what it is we’re really paying for. Fashion Revolution Week, aims to educate and inspire our global community on the real value of what we buy and wear.

Follow their work and get involved at www.fashionrevolution.org.

Olive and Rosy in Wellington www.oliveandrosy.com are making a donation from all clothing sales next week to support the campaign.

Written by Rachael Millington.