This April marks the 10th anniversary of the Rana Plaza disaster when more than 1,100 garment workers were killed and another 2,500 were injured, some with life-limiting injuries, after the building their garment factories were in collapsed in Dhaka Bangladesh. The accident was directly attributed to the poor structural and safety standards of the building, but it was also a by-product of the fast fashion industry. The race to produce cheap, disposable clothing has put immense pressure on factory owners, leading to the use of substandard materials and labour practices.

 

 

 

 

 

Fast fashion consumerism, the phenomenon of rapid production and consumption of low-quality clothing, has created a culture of disposability where consumers view clothing as cheap and easily replaceable. This culture has fueled the growth of fast fashion companies, which prioritize profits over the safety of their workers. Consumers are constantly bombarded with new trends and cheap prices, leading to a vicious cycle of consumption that also breeds exploitation and environmental destruction.

 

 

 

There are several ways for individuals to break the cycle of fast fashion consumerism. Firstly, one can choose to buy clothes from ethical and sustainable fashion companies that prioritize fair labour practices and sustainability. Secondly, instead of opting for cheap, disposable fashion items, one can invest in high-quality clothing that is durable and long-lasting. Additionally, people can also choose to consume less, and only buy what they need, and take care of their clothes, repairing and mending them, rather than throwing them away. Changing consumer habits can go a long way towards creating a more ethical and sustainable fashion industry, and preventing future disasters like the Rana Plaza tragedy.

 

As part of Fashion Revolution week which aims to commemorate the Rana Plaza disaster by bringing attention to the destructive fast fashion industry, GCU Students' Association will be sharing posts from Fashion Revolution, talking to the Glasgow University Fashion Revolution chapter about their work and how students at GCU can get involved. 

In Conversation: Fashion Revolution Society of Glasgow University

We chatted with the president, Caitlin, and vice-president, Martha, of the Glasgow University branch of Fashion Revolution about what Fashion Revolution is, why it is important and how they started their society.