
17 Apr Will you find a Mini Fashion Statement in your pocket this April?
As the world remembers the Rana Plaza disaster on 24 April, we, the Craftivist Collective will be launching a new craftivism kit to gently challenge people to think about how their clothing is made.
The collapse of a Bangladeshi factory in 2013 saw 1,138 garment workers killed and over 2,500 injured. There had been signs of structural failure the previous day, but workers were ordered to return to work regardless.
Our Mini Fashion Statements kit is being launched in support of Fashion Revolution, a global movement born in the wake of the disaster, which calls for greater transparency, sustainability and ethics in the fashion industry.
The kit feature small scrolls on which makers all over the world are encouraged to write – slowly and in their neatest handwriting, on their own or in groups – one of three provocative but not preachy messages designed to get both writer and reader thinking about the true cost of fashion and inspire them to play their part in improving the ugly side of the industry. We’ve worked with expert wordsmith Ed Gillespie and his team at Futerra to get the balance of each message just right.
Shop-droppers not shop-lifters
The finished scrolls, tied with a pretty bow and featuring an invitation to “please open me”, a smiley face and a kiss, can then be ‘shop-dropped’ into the pockets of garments in fashion stores, or clothes worn by family, friends and colleagues.
This deliberately non-confrontational form of ‘guerilla activism’ using handcrafts is a designed as an alternative to some the more traditional aggressive types of activism.
We help people learn the art of ‘gentle protest’. We want every part of the fashion industry to be beautiful, not just the clothes. Our pocket-sized scrolls are powerful and poignant little reminders of the role we can play as consumers. They’re designed to make us think about how the clothes we buy and wear are made, and how we might be able to help tackle problems like poor conditions for workers or the use of materials that are damaging to the environment.
Asking #whomademyclothes
Orsola de Castro, co-founder and Creative Director of Fashion Revolution, said:
“We want to unite the fashion industry and ignite a revolution to radically change the way our clothes are sourced, produced and purchased, so that what the world wears has been made in a safe, clean and fair way.
The Craftivist Collective’s Mini Fashion Statements are a really simple, fun and creative way to be part of the Fashion Revolution. Made with love and placed into a pocket on a store’s clothes rail, they surprise shoppers with a message that reminds us to be more curious about our clothes.
They may be small, but they have the power to make shoppers stop and consider the people who make our clothes, their working conditions and human rights issues. This shows that activism doesn’t need to shout from the rooftops, it can gently provoke from our pockets!
The Mini Fashion Statement kits were pioneered by Sarah during workshops at Stockholm Fashion Week and Helsinki Design Week, and are the first non-stitched Craftivist Collective project. On the anniversary of the Rana Plaza disaster founder of Craftivist Collective Sarah Corbett will be delivering an intimate craftivism work 15 people in Lincoln (Monday 24th April 5:30pm-6:45pm). Book your ticket before it sells out here to take part and learn the art of shopdropping.
Mini Fashion Statements craftivism kit:
- Your very own roll of special, high quality scrolls; each with an embossed Craftivist Collective logo.
- Three different colours of ribbon to help make your messages stand out. Enough for 10 scrolls.
- ‘Crafterthought’ questions to reflect on
- 2 free little gifts for you x
- Tips and message templates
Made ethically in the UK, each item you buy comes with 2 free stickers through the post.
Join us and be fashion revolutionaries this Fashion Revolution Week and beyond 🙂 x
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