Fashion with a Price Part 2: Sandblasting in the Denim Industry
Nothing is perfect (with the possible exception of Meerkats).
And that also goes for the fashion industry. Fortunately, it's a flaw that is easily fixable, if only everyone was willing to cooperate.
About this time last year, I wrote a piece on the use of sandblasting in the denim industry, a technique used to create that worn out look in jeans that is known to cause silicosis - a lung disease that can be fatal. By 2010, over 1000 affected workers had been identified in Turkey alone.
Nearly a year on, it seemed appropriate that I checked up on the situation. Last year, we supported the Oxfam campaign which targeted The Just Group. The campaign was successful in getting the company to commit to not place any further orders for sandblasted denim.
And more progress has been made! Yay! Both Versace and Armani are now among the many fashion designers, including Burberry and Gucci, who publicly refuse to engage in this inhumane practice
Just recently, SBS Dateline interviewed workers in the denim industry whose health had been affected by sandblasting. It's a tragic story that more people should know about.
Some brands claim that they do not engage in sandblasting but have yet to issue a public ban while others claim that they are in the process of gradually putting a halt to ordering sandblasted denim. For a full list of brands, click http://www.cleanclothes.org/news/armani-bans-sandblasting.
Worse still, brands like Dolce & Gabbana have failed to ban the practice or at least provide information about their sandblasting policies.
So that's why the Clean Clothes Campaign has launched a mass protest initiative, attempting to get as many people as possible to sign their name and show how strongly they feel about stopping sandblasting. And, no pressure but YOU SHOULD BE ONE OFTHOSE PEOPLE.
Seriously, it is as easy as filling in a few simple details such as your name (which really shouldn't be too hard!) and your country etc. So give this link a click http://www.cleanclothes.org/campaigns/killer-jeans-still-being-made#action, sign the petition (we've already done it and we're feeling pretty pleased with ourselves!) and then harrass your friends (about the campaign, not about anything else)! Because this is molto importante! And then go and bake yourself a cupcake because you deserve it!
- Jessica
PS. Yes, that is Kate and Wills printed on the cupcake. My royal wedding hysteria is far from over. Be afraid.