“I think it's really unfair that there's this demand in North America for super high-volume of super-cheap products. And what is the result? Well, of course the result is exploitation. But it's not like the exploitation came first and the consumerism came second. I feel really passionately that it's important for us here to see the part that we have in creating those kinds of jobs, where the sole focus is paying people as little as possible, to work as quickly as possible, for the longest hours possible."
“But on the flip side, I think it’s exciting to think of what opportunity we have as consumers to demand something different.”
Claire now represents Canada as the country co-ordinator in Fashion Revolution, a global movement whose mission is “to unite people and organizations to work together towards radically changing the way our clothes are sourced, produced and consumed, so that our clothing is made in a safe, clean and fair way.”
Fashion Revolution was born after 1,138 people were killed and another 2,500 injured when the Rana Plaza Building in Bangladesh collapsed six years ago. Most of the workers were young women who worked long hours for little pay manufacturing clothing for well-known global brands.
Fashion Revolution Week marks the anniversary of their deaths, April 24, to raise awareness and take action against fast fashion.
As the Canadian co-ordinator, Claire and her Edmonton-based team are leading this month’s Fashion Revolution Week for the whole country.
Mrs. Wu. One of Unbelt's first employees.
Photo by: Claire Theaker-Brown
Claire Theaker-Brown
-Belt designer and sustainable fashion advocate. Owner of Unbelts
Photo by: Ian Stewart