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Exeter joins Fashion Revolution Week

A week of events is taking place in Exeter to raise awareness of exploitation in the clothing industry, particularly low-cost fashion items manufactured in developing countries.


The activities, as part of Fashion Revolution Week, aim to encourage people to swap, re-use or recycle clothing, as an alternative to the 'buy cheap and throw away' culture.

It 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 bear.

It was the fourth largest industrial disaster in history, and highlighted the failure of many top Western fashion brands to protect workers in the 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 Exeter events are being organised by the ethical fashion retailer Sancho's at its two shops in Fore Street, all from 6pm till 8pm.

Monday 23rd April: Repair and Rejuvenate Clothes workshop

Tuesday 24th: Clothes swap and sale - both men's and women's clothing

Wednesday 25th: Talk on how to create a 'capsule wardrobe', reducing the need for so many clothes

Thursday 26th: Talk on ethical fashion

Friday 27th: 'Meet the Makers' panel discussion, with leaders in the ethical fashion industry

Saturday 28th: Party and ethical clothing sales event

 

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