2024 Fair Fashion Festival Events Recap
Written by: Sara McQuaid, Montreal Events & Content Assistant @Threading Change
27 May 2024
[5-minute read]
Introduction
Abbie Hoffman, an American activist, once said, “Revolution is not something fixed in ideology, nor is it something fashioned to a particular decade. It is a perpetual process embedded in the human spirit.” This quote captures a vital truth: any revolution is an ongoing process requiring time, patience, and sustained determination. At Threading Change, we share this perspective, recognizing the fashion revolution as a culmination of our collective and continuous efforts.
Fashion has a wonderfully social essence. We gather our friends to go shopping, we share photos on social networks and we participate in cultural activities that revolve around clothing. Our devotion to clothes runs deep, it’s not just about the fabric and the style: they represent a way to connect with others without the need for words. Clothing is not going anywhere and nor do we want it to! Nonetheless, to drive genuine transformation, the fashion revolution must embody the same depth of connection and sense of community that clothing fosters in our lives.
From April 24-28, 2024, we hosted our Fair Fashion Festival in honor of Fashion Revolution Week. This global series event brought together changemakers from around the world, all eager to drive change in the fashion industry. Threading Change operates on a tri-impact model of education, innovation, and consultation, focusing on accessibility. Throughout the festival, attendees were presented with numerous opportunities to actively engage and contribute to our collective mission.
Vancouver, Canada
In the heart of the city where Threading Change first took root, we hosteda series of dynamic events uniting change-makers to celebrate, educate, and have fun with ethical fashion. On April 27th, our bustling venue played host to a sold-out clothing swap and audit, drawing participants eager to immerse themselves in ethical practices. We held mending sessions where attendees learned practical ways to extend the life of clothing and keep them from becoming textile waste. A highlight was our networking session, which provided a platform for changemakers to delve into the intricacies of the circular economy while forging invaluable professional connections.
Furthermore, attendees were invited to join our collaborative panel with CEP Vancouver, delving into pressing industry issues. Complementing the swaps and panels, participants had the opportunity to participate in our Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Letter Writing Workshop. These sessions harness the power of written communication, serving as a direct conduit to advocates of change and fostering accountability among decision-makers. At our EPR gathering, our focus centered on advocating for garment workers' rights, fair wages, and transparency within the fashion supply chain.
Nairobi, Kenya
Our networking event at Planet One, located within the Ubunifu Hub at the Garden Estate in Nairobi, Kenya, saw attendees come together to collaborate, sharing visions of their ideal fashion future and brainstorming actionable steps to manifest these aspirations into reality. They were joined by a panel of distinguished industry experts: designer William Muia, Gloria Kisilu of The Shaba, Bakhita Mutete of 25SW4P, designer Julie Adhiambo, and profile in textile engineering Josphat Igadwa Mwasiagi.
At our networking events, our aim is to provide changemakers with opportunities to discover lesser-known roles within the fashion industry, empowering them to innovate and forge sustainable practices. The fashion industry is in a unique position because of its widespread outreach. It is more than designing a cool t-shirt: manufacturing, production, global development, marketing, shipping, material sourcing, and beyond.
Bangalore, India
We held our first swap in Bangalore, India on Sunday, April 28th with over 50 attendees at the Bangalore Center. Partnering with Fashion Revolution India, we secured the venue and enlisted the help of dedicated volunteers. Attendees were encouraged to bring summer essentials, including sarees, skirts, sandals, and scarves. Volunteers expressed their excitement to be part of the event, citing their belief in the Sustainable Development Goals and sustainability as motivating factors. For many participants, it was their first experience joining such an initiative, and they were pleasantly surprised by the opportunity to discover so many clothes they truly liked.
Online Events
In our pursuit of a globally accessible revolution, Threading Change extended its reach through online events, aiming to inspire change-makers across borders. One such event, "Empowering Change: Sustainable Practices and Worker Rights in Asia’s Fashion Industry," held on Wednesday, April 27th via Zoom, convened a panel of experts led by Threading Change’s Program Impact Specialist, Aish Mann. The panel, featuring Shruti Singh from Fashion Revolution India, international climate activist MD Razu Ahmad Masum, and CEO of the Fairtrade India Project Abhishek Jani, delved into critical challenges and opportunities within Asia’s fashion garment industry. Discussions ranged from the necessity of transparent legislation to effective strategies for corporate engagement, drawing participation from over 30 attendees worldwide.
Aish emphasized the significance of such seminars, stating, “These webinars provide a crucial platform for amplifying the voices of experts already spearheading reform in these systems. Often, Western approaches fall short due to their imposition of solutions without grasping the nuanced challenges. What we truly need is a shift towards an empathetic, collaborative approach—one that listens attentively and seeks to unravel the complexities perpetuating destructive cycles within the fashion industry.”
Another online highlight was Sophia Yang’s Instagram live chat with Delphine Williot, the Policy and Campaigns Manager at Fashion Revolution. Their discussion, viewed by over 700 individuals, addressed prevailing trends in the fashion industry, spotlighting a glaring flaw: the lack of standardized access to companies’ climate footprints and the need for centralized data accessibility. Both panels underscored the pivotal role of youth in effecting change. Delphine stressed that fashion does not exist in isolation, advocating for sustained, youth-focused investments: “We need unwavering commitment, not just fleeting calls for action.”
Conclusion
We're already in full swing, planning and coordinating for our next Fair Fashion festival! When discussing the Spring 2024 edition, our Program Manager Vinya Nadimpalli summed it up perfectly: “The Fair Fashion Festival was an epic event close to my heart, packed with exciting activities—a day filled with learning, swapping, and connecting with one another.”
We extend our deepest gratitude to all our incredible partners who helped bring these events to life and united in connecting with us. To every organizer, volunteer, participant, and partner: THANK YOU! Threading Change is gearing up for seven swaps across Canada this summer, spanning Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal, and Halifax. Stay tuned on our social media pages for updates! And mark your calendars for our Fair Fashion Festival Toronto edition in September 2024—we'll see you there!
Ready to join the Fashion Revolution? There are countless ways to get involved and even plan your own fair fashion festival. Thinking of hosting a clothing swap? Check this out for more information. Would you like us to speak at one of your events? We’d love to, make a request here!
Edited by: Luiza Giocondo Teixeira, Communications & Engagement Director @ Threading Change
Sara McQuaid
Sara is a writer and teacher currently working in Montreal, Quebec. She has a Honours Bachelor degree in History from Trent University and a Master's Degree in History from KU Leuven, focusing on women's history. Her passion for understanding contemporary challenges and love of fashion has inspired her to shift into the sustainable industry. She hopes to shape history by helping to change the future of fashion into one that is fossil-free and equitable.
