Costs of fashion

“Learn how unsafe conditions at the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory led to a fire in 1911 that killed 146 workers, mostly young immigrant girls, and exposed the need for workplace reforms in these videos" (source). This resource includes discussion questions for in-class use.

American Experience. (n.d.). The triangle shirtwaist factory fire: A catalyst for reform. PBS Learning Media.

“A decade since Rana Plaza factory safety has improved in Bangladesh but recent fire in Pakistan shows that it has not improved elsewhere” (source). The Accord for Health and Safety in the Textile Industry has brought progress, but many brands remain uncommitted. Urgent expansion beyond Bangladesh and Pakistan is necessary to ensure worker safety worldwide.

Clean Clothes Campaign. (2023, April 13). A decade since Rana Plaza factory safety has improved in Bangladesh but recent fire in Pakistan shows that it has not improved elsewhere.

“It’s the dirty secret behind the world’s fashion addiction. Many of the clothes we donate to charity end up dumped in landfill, creating an environmental catastrophe on the other side of the world” (source).

Besser, L. (2021, October 21). Dead white man's clothes. ABC News.

This video sheds light on Uganda's potential ban on second-hand clothes sales. Discarded by the West, these garments fuel a multimillion-dollar industry in Africa. Despite its popularity, President Museveni aims to halt imports to foster the expansion of local textile sectors.

CGTN Africa. (2023, August 26). Uganda’s Museveni bans importation of second-hand clothes [Video]. YouTube.

Fashion Revolution's website offers a user-friendly interface with entry points tailored to different stakeholders, such as retailers, educators, and citizens. Visitors can access resources like a manifesto, podcasts, how-to guides, survey reports, educational materials, and blog articles on regenerative fashion. Fashion Revolution is a global movement advocating for a fashion industry that prioritizes environmental conservation and human welfare. They aim to end exploitation in the industry, promote transparency, and push for policy changes to ensure safe working conditions, living wages, and environmental sustainability throughout the supply chain.

Lissy, Secret Projects India. (n.d.). Fair trade fashion from India.

Explore insightful findings and actionable recommendations on the impact of second-hand clothing trade in developing countries—a perfect resource to inspire meaningful discussions with students. This dissertation examines the impact of the global trade in second-hand clothing (SHC) on developing countries, particularly focusing on West Africa. 

While the SHC trade provides employment opportunities and affordable clothing, it raises concerns about its impact on local textile industries and livelihoods. Findings suggest that while SHC trade supports livelihoods, it may contribute to the decline of domestic textile production in West Africa, alongside other factors like cheap imports from Asia and supply-side constraints. Recommendations include ethical trading practices, regional protection measures, improved customs enforcement, and support for local textile producers' networks to enhance competitiveness.

Baden, S., & Barber, C. (2005). The impact of the second-hand clothing trade on developing countries. Oxfam.

Experience A Day Without Dignity, a YouTube video challenging the narrative of fashion dumping. This counter campaign presents thought-provoking facts about the costly practice of donating millions of clothes and shoes to developing countries, which often undermines local businesses. It advocates for aid that prioritizes community needs over corporate interests, making it an ideal catalyst for engaging classroom discussions.

timegiventous. (2011, April 7). A day without dignity. [Video]. YouTube.

Explore the global trade in second-hand clothing and its impact on African markets, revealing inequalities across transnational gradients. This thesis uncovers power dynamics between charities, companies, and individuals, highlighting how imports intersect with economic liberalization, shaping precarious livelihoods and challenging poverty alleviation efforts.

Brooks, A. R. (2012). Riches from rags or persistent poverty?: Inequality in the transnational second-hand clothing trade in Mozambique. [Doctoral dissertation]. University of London.