‘Who Made My Clothes?’ is a free exhibition as part of the global Fashion Revolution Week (22-28 April). The exhibition aims to raise awareness of the human cost and impact of the fashion industry and to share actions everyone can do to help.
It will showcase, celebrate and support local designers and makers, as well as sustainable fashion brands. Supported by The British Council, The Vietnamese Women’s Museum and TPD, visitors can expect to see a documentary photo series and inspiring short films calling them to action. Attendees can also learn new skills through a variety of workshops and visualize the impact of fashion through interactive installations which are in both Vietnamese and English
Featured artisans and businesses include Chula, Papa Shop, Kilomet 109, Gian Don Simple, Thao Nguyen Taylor, and Chan Con Cong Village. There will be an art installation by Eleanor Shipman, a documentary photo series by Le Xuan Phong, and a short film series directed by Kate Cox. The exhibition includes film screenings from 7-9pm on Thursday 26 and Friday 27, followed by workshops on natural dyeing techniques on the weekend.
“We love fashion. But we don’t want it to exploit people or destroy the planet,” said Ellen Downes, Country Coordinator for Fashion Revolution Vietnam. “Fast fashion and consumerism are growing rapidly and too many garment workers, mostly women, are still underpaid, unsafe and mistreated. This exhibition celebrates local women who are revolutionizing the fashion industry in Vietnam and will provide tips and tools on how we can all help to make our wardrobes empower rather than exploit.”
The core message of the event is that people no longer know who makes their clothes and we don’t know the true cost of the things we buy. This is costing lives, as seen in the Rana Plaza factory collapse in Bangladesh in 2013. It was this tragedy which sparked the Fashion Revolution movement. Organizers believe that rebuilding the broken links across the whole supply chain, from farmer to consumer, is the only way to transform the entire industry. And it starts with one simple question: Who made my clothes?
The exhibition runs from 22-28 April at The Vietnamese Women’s Museum. For more information, check the organizer's Facebook page.
[Top image via fee.org]
