Fight for sustainability, equality and our planet with Fashion Revolution
Fashion Revolution is a non-profit organisation that has been advocating for change in the global fashion industry, particularly in the areas of ethical and equitable production of clothing. Founded in 2013 in response to the devastating Rana Plaza Factory fire, which killed over 1,000 garment workers, Fashion Revolution - known as #fashrev - continues to work towards a better deal for the least paid and most exploited workers in the industry.
In Singapore, the organisation will be running a bunch of educational and inspiring events until April 25, under the global banner of Rights, Relationships and Revolution that focuses on making transparent the idea that we all need to relook at our relationship with clothes and how they are made, shipped and disposed of around the world.
“For too long, we’ve heard that Asian, and in particular Singaporean, consumers are not interested in sustainable fashion, unlike their European or North American counterparts,” shares Chu Wong, Fashion Revolution Country Coordinator for Singapore.
However, the first Southeast Asian Sustainability report developed in partnership with Oxford University’s Oxford Development Consultancy showed that Singaporean consumers are prepared to pay more for environmentally conscious clothing options.
“This report not only proves that wrong but also shows that Singaporeans want more options to consume fashion sustainably and are willing to pay for it,” says Ms Wong.
According to Fashion Revolution Singapore, however, there are still lots of areas for improvement, particularly since many Singaporeans are not aware of how much impact their shopping choices make on the environment.
“Most of the fashion’s impact is still invisible to Singaporean consumers. From the fact that 35% of all microplastics in our oceans are from synthetic textiles like polyester — a favourite fabric of local and global fast fashion brands — to garment worker exploitation happening just a few hours away from our little red dot, there is much more awareness to spread. What’s more, in 2019 alone, NEA statistics shared that we produced 168,000 tonnes of textile waste, of which only 4% was recycled,” says Ms Wong.
Ms Wong says that ordinary shoppers can be a part of the movement by asking your favourite fashion brands #whomademyclothes and #whatsinmyclothes, and supporting those Singapore fashion brands that are sustainably and ethically made.
Go to www.fashionrevolution.org/asia/singapore/ for more information on the events and activities being organised. You can also access tickets and information about the various events in Singapore and around the region via www.fashionrevolution.org/ecwd_calendar/all-events/.
