Fashion Revolution Week is a yearly week-long event from April 24 until April 30. It aims to raise global awareness on practices used in the fashion industry today, while being present in many counties in the world through various events. During this week, and throughout the year, one can find events happening in Italy, Poland, New Zealand, United States, South Africa, Belgium, Brazil, Spain, United Kingdom, Canada, Finland, Puerto Rico, Ireland, etc. All these events gather professionals that work for fashion such as designers, academics, writers, business leaders, policymakers, brands, retailers, marketers, producers, makers, workers and fashion lovers, to promote clothing that is made in a safe, clean, and fair way.
How did this week come into existence? Quoting fashionrevolution.org:
On 24 April 2013, the Rana Plaza building in Bangladesh collapsed. 1,138 people died and another 2,500 were injured, making it the fourth largest industrial disaster in history. That’s when Fashion Revolution was born. This week is a global movement calling for a fairer, safer, cleaner, more transparent fashion industry.
How does this week matter for Albania and brand factories producing clothes in Albania?
Albania has a long tradition of clothing manufacturing, well known under the term fason. Whereas one cannot deny that working conditions in Albania are much better when compared to many countries in Asia, improvements in wage, working hours and conditions are necessary.
As a whole Albania should step forward as a country with ethical clothing production and use it as a competitive advantage in comparison to other manufacturing countries. More and more consumers, especially in Europe, want to buy clothing made under ethical conditions so apart from taking a stand for worker’s rights, there could also be an economic case to make here.
Let me introduce you to Pitupi, which is a company created by Albanian and German entrepreneurs that produces children’s clothing. Their workshop is based in the picturesque village of Krajn, which is located in between Lezha and Shkodra. Their baby and children’s clothing is made by living hands. Pitupi is proud to show their customers who made their clothes. Therefore, being a valuable participant on the #imadeyourclothes movement, as a response to calling all farmers, factory workers, artisans and makers to show the customer who actually made their clothes.
During Fashion Revolution Week, as many people as possible are encouraged to ask #whomademyclothes.
When buying from Pitupi the customer will find out more about the seamstress who has made their garment. The customer will be able to read more about the seamstress who made the child’s clothing. And if the customer wishes, they can even contact her by email. So at Pitupi brand, the answer to the fair question #whomademyclothes, is open and transparent.
For more information and details regarding the fashion revolution week go to their website or visit Pitupi to find out about the people who work for this socially aware brand.
