Safia Minney’s Campaign “Slave to Fashion”
Safia Minney’s Campaign “Slave to Fashion”
The term ‘slave to fashion’ brings to mind an individual who is, perhaps, overly concerned with their clothing, and with wearing the newest, accepted styles. Safia Minney, the British social entrepreneur and author, is making efforts to bring another definition to mind with this term – those who are literally enslaved to the benefit of the garment and fashion industry. Minney’s book and campaign “Slave to Fashion” aims to bring attention to slavery in the fashion industry, as well as to show how it can be eradicated by both consumers and businesses.
On the Kickstarter page for the project, the goals for this campaign are outlined, along with facts on modern slavery, a timeline for the project, and an outline for project costs.
“Safia and her team will research and produce micro documentaries and interviews featuring stories of men, women and children caught in slavery, making the clothes sold on the high street, in Europe and the developing world,” reads the introduction to the project. “They will also write the ‘Slave To Fashion’ book profiling best ethical practice of brands and designers within the fashion industry. The book will prove that fashion can be used to empower workers – whilst creating beautiful, competitive and accessible fashion. Following the publishing of the book, Safia and her team will organise ‘Slave To Fashion’ education outreach events at schools to maximise the social impact of the campaign.”
Also the founder and CEO of People Tree, an online fashion label and retailer, Minney has talked about social consciousness in terms of fashion and style throughout her career. “We now know it’s ethically wrong for a top to cost as little as a sandwich” she stated in a piece for the Guardian six years ago. “Nine years ago, when we started People Tree, people thought we were crazy. But in the past five years there’s been a huge change – people are more uneasy about fast fashion.”
For more information on the ‘Slave to Fashion’ campaign and book: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/947623622/slave-to-fashion
Safia Minney’s Campaign “Slave to Fashion”
