Wouldn’t it be amazing if we all started buying and/or creating our own unique clothing from upcycled clothing and repurposed scraps of fabric?
How cool would it be if we each had our own individual style and we didn’t give a flying fajita about “fashion”? For some years now I’ve been dreaming – like so many you out there – of a world where mass-manufactured clothing was a thing of the past, and creators could work in safety and peace, and where sewing enthusiasts made their own clothes, or bought their unique, one-of-a-kind garments from others who liked to sew. Just think how fabulous it would be if we all just flat out refused to buy cheap, unsustainable clothing made by companies that don’t care about their workers’ safety or well-being?
The Rana Plaza Tragedy
The Rana Plaza tragedy occurred in Bangladesh on April 24, 2013 when an eight story building housing a large garment factory collapsed killing 1,134 people, many of them women and children.
Large cracks were noticed in the building the day before, and other occupants of the building immediately evacuated. But the garment factory owners on the upper floors ignored the warnings and forced the workers to return to work the following day.
It is considered the deadliest accidental structural failure in modern human history.
Among the clients of that garment factory were major fast fashion retailers from Europe, the US and other countries. Retailers that you know. They were unwilling to take direct responsibility for those killed and injured, and refused to sign an agreement asking them to charge more for the clothing so that the workers could live and work in safely.
This information is on Wikipedia. More can be seen in the documentary, “The True Cost.”
The fact is, fast fashion kills. People and the planet. Do your very best to avoid buying it.
Moving Forward
My greatest joy in life is creating beautiful garments and goodies made from pre-loved fabrics and upcycled clothing, discarded scraps and bits of vintage lace and trim and nifty old buttons. Meant to last. Meant to bring joy to their wearers. Meant to be patched, altered and then handed down or lovingly gifted to a friend. Groovy pre-apocalyptic finery for the discerning wild child, if you will.
I also love to show others how to create upcycled clothing using reclaimed materials, and I have a number of free video tutorials on my YouTube
I know you have dreams too, and I am grateful to you for spending this time sharing mine. If you’d like, please feel free to drop me a line and tell me about your dreams. With your permission I may even share them with my followers.
In joy and creativity,
