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Fashion Revolution to run campaign against overproduction

04
Nov '20

Pic: Fashion Revolution

This Black Friday and Cyber Monday, Fashion Revolution will tackle environmental and social damage of hyper-discount culture with positive change. Taking a consumer habit that ignites visions of violent stand-offs and e-commerce website crashes, Fashion Revolution wants to reposition Black Friday as a moment to reflect on and campaign against overproduction.

People around the world are increasingly aware that the fashion industry’s impact on people and planet is out of control. The effect of Covid-19 on the fashion industry has left brands with mountains of unsold stock. While it’s impossible to estimate just how many clothes have been landfilled or incinerated, Bangladesh alone has seen more than $3 billion in cancelled orders, representing an estimated 982 million garments. In addition, the majority of the people who make our clothes live in poverty and the gap between rich and poor continues to grow.

According to Fashion Revolution’s press release, Black Friday represents a sore spot in an industry that runs on overproduction. When one buys into the seemingly good deals, they send a message to brands that it’s okay for them to thoughtlessly produce at the cost of people and the planet, because their customers will help them get rid of stockpiles as long as they are steeply discounted. Last year in the US, consumers spent $7.4 billion on Black Friday, representing a 19.6 per cent year-on-year growth.

Throughout November, Fashion Revolution is asking people to take part in the campaign by abstaining from shopping the discounts, and spreading the message that overproduction costs the earth with their free, downloadable social media assets.

This campaign is supported by Fashion Revolution’s global network, along with international organisations all working to shape a better fashion industry. Supporting organisations include The Sustainable Fashion Forum, Greenpeace & Make Smthng Week, Fashion Act Now, Global Fashion Exchange and Fashion Takes Action. In addition, the campaign is supported by a series of small sustainable fashion brands who are doing good this Black Friday by donating some profit to Fashion Revolution in lieu of hosting discounts.

“Black Friday is a scam. It’s one more way to get citizens to think they are finding a bargain, when in fact they are hunting an illusion. Don’t just buy because it’s cheap, think of why you are intending to buy, inspect your potential purchase and only then decide. Black Friday is about the rush, the speed, the compulsion. At Fashion Revolution we are asking you to stay conscientious, to buy with purpose,” Orsola de Castro, Fashion Revolution cofounder and creative director, said in the release.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (JL)

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