Tearfund poses the question "are consumers responsible for exploitation by the fashion industry?" and answers it: "For years, consumers have been unfairly cast as the primary culprits behind numerous environmental and justice problems, as a strategic way for companies to pass on responsibility. .... we’re up against some of the very best marketing strategists in the world.... While we’re not directly responsible for the exploitation that occurs in the global fashion industry, we’re still participants in a system of immense injustice."
Why this question is asked - it is unnecessary and divisive. Is it just a ploy to get a headline? The responsibility of consumers, businesses & governments for the exploitation of garment workers (farm to mill to factory) are NOT mutually exclusive. It's not either/or but plus/and. Consumers are more than passive participants as Tearfund suggests. They are unwittingly entangled in the web of exploitation but they also have agency & power to demand change. At fair&good we champion the power of consumers to change demand & pressure businesses to do better. ALL actors have a role to play: governments, investors, businesses & consumers. Lets ALL collaborate and work together to eradicate exploitation.
💭 Are consumers responsible for exploitation in fashion?
With fast fashion brands offering rock-bottom prices, it's easy to forget the risk behind many of our cheap clothes.
As consumers, what’s our role in the exploitation happening within the fashion industry? And do we have a responsibility to help fix it?
🔍 Read our thoughts in our latest article! https://bit.ly/3UAqQ47
📢 Share your thoughts on this question in the comments below.
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Communications Professional
2moAs always, shocking and challenging.