This European fashion revolution seeks to make our wardrobes more responsible in the context of climate emergency. The fashion industry is also in the process of a sustainable revolution.
Carry Somers & Orsola de Castro
At the helm of the Fashion Revolution are two fashion pioneers: Carry Somers and Orsola de Castro. Both share an innovative vision of the fashion world, with a particular focus on environmental preservation.1 Carry Somers is a British fashion designer. In 1992, she founded her own fashion label, Pachacuti. Her brand is entirely respectful of the environment and refuses all forms of exploitation of artisans. All Pachacuti products are hand-woven using ancient Ecuadorian techniques. The brand has become a pioneer in the transparency of supply and production chains. Its commitments have earned it Fair Trade certification, awarded to products whose production respects social, economic and environmental criteria. Carry Somers is a major figure on the European and international fashion scene. Her collections are featured on the catwalks of Fashion Week in Paris, London and Milan. She is also recognized by the prestigious Business of Fashion 500 as an iconic figure in the global fashion industry.
Orsola de Castro is a pioneer of sustainable fashion, a vision of the fashion industry based on quality, recycling and the rejection of over-consumption. As a fashion designer, she has produced various collections for brands such as Topshop. Recognized as a leading fashion figure, Orsola de Castro has worked for London Fashion Week. To defend her ecological convictions, she organizes lectures at universities for fashion students.
The aims of Fashion Revolution
It was in 2013, following the tragedy of the Rana Plaza factory collapse in Bangladesh, that the Fashion Revolution was born. Fashion Revolution aims to formally oppose the Fast Fashion industry, founded on human exploitation and massive environmental degradation. Today, it is considered the leading militant and activist formation in favor of a revolution in the fashion industry that respects human rights and the environment.
The various objectives of the Fashion Revolution are set within the framework of the theory of change. This theory implies reaching a wide audience, from citizens to fashion professionals to politicians. The central objective of the Fashion Revolution is to design a fashion industry that respects the environment and human beings, based on shared values. This means taking action in industry, culture, education and politics.
To defend its objectives, the Fashion Revolution is organized around fashion professionals, academics, unions and politicians. This diversity promotes creativity, respect for human rights, self-expression and environmental protection. To this end, Fashion Revolution is committed to transparency and collective responsibility. This vision of the fashion industry rejects all the mechanisms of Fast Fashion and the society of over-consumption.
Commitment and action
Fashion Revolution is international in scope, operating in 96 countries around the world. It relies on different modes of action to spread its vision of fashion internationally. First and foremost, the movement acts through awareness-raising campaigns. To this end, Fashion Revolution organizes events such as thematic conferences to promote its core values. Moreover, Fashion Revolution encourages collaboration with creators and designers who share its vision of fashion.
In its fight to protect the environment, Fashion Revolution conducts research to highlight the environmental impact of the fashion industry. For instance, podcasts with professionals from the sector are very popular and they are available on the official Fashion Revolution website[2]. Fashion Revolution also takes action with its annual global campaign, Fashion Revolution Week[3]. During this week, conferences, actions and workshops are organized for audiences from all walks of life with the aim of raising awareness of the ecologically friendly fashion industry.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Fashion Revolution proposes an innovative vision of the fashion industry around a militant commitment to the environment and human rights. The movement is made up of a multitude of players and is organized around various campaigns aimed at spreading this new vision of fashion. This commitment reflects a real desire to change the way we consume, in order to take better account of social and environmental challenges.
[1] Business of Fashion. « Carry Somers and Orsola de Castro », Business of Fashion, 2022.
[2] Check here: https://www.fashionrevolution.org/resources/listen-to-the-fashion-revolution-podcast/
[3] Ministère français de l’écologie. « La Fashion Revolution Week », Écologie.Gouv.
