In 2013, the Rana Plaza disaster, where a building collapse killed one thousand garment workers and injured more than 2,500 in Dhaka, Bangladesh, spurred global outrage. The catastrophic event inspired fashion and design professionals Carrie Somers and Orsola De Castro to create Fashion Revolution, an international non-profit organization spanning over 92 countries, dedicated to mobilizing citizens, industry, and policymakers through research, education and advocacy work. In the United States, Fashion Revolution USA’s mission is to bring thousands of stakeholders and volunteers across the fashion industry and textiles supply chain together to help create an inclusive U.S. fashion system that conducts business ethically, regenerates the environment, and produces responsibly. 

Fashion Revolution U.S.A. has activated citizens across the nation to stand up for garment workers’ rights through campaigns like #WhoMadeMyClothes and legislation like S.B. 62 in California to enforce fair labor practices. Host Kirsten Holtz Naim sits down with Fashion Revolution USA’s Director of Education and Global Programming, Kathleen Grevers, and Director of Operations and Community, Ashleyn Przedwiecki, about industry challenges like textile waste and labor malpractice. Grevers and Przedwiecki also share what we can do as global citizens to advocate for fair labor and sustainability in the fashion industry. 

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Show Notes: 

Follow Fashion Revolution on Instagram @fash_rev

Learn more about Fashion Revolution USA at https://www.fashionrevolution.org/north-america/usa/ 

Learn more about Fashion Revolution at https://www.fashionrevolution.org/ 

World Economic Forum Article: New climate change report shows need for urgent action - here's how leaders can act: https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2021/08/ipcc-report-on-climate-change/ 

Learn more about the “Who made my clothes?” campaign: https://www.theguardian.com/fashion/commentisfree/2019/apr/22/who-made-my-clothes-stand-up-for-workers-rights-with-fashion-revolution-week 

“Fashion as Design” course presented by The Moma: https://www.coursera.org/learn/fashion-design  

Check out the Fashion Transparency Index 2021: https://www.fashionrevolution.org/about/transparency/ 

Learn more about the SB 62 California Bill: https://www.vogue.com/article/california-sb-62-garment-worker-protection-act 

SB 62 passed: https://www.vogue.com/article/california-sb-62-garment-worker-protection-act 

Learn more about Jennifer Fisher: https://www.fisherclaygroup.com/