Fashion rethink urged

The global movement Fashion Revolution is coming to Nelson this weekend.

It is the first event hosted by newly created group Fashion Revolution Nelson/Tasman, which was set up by Fair Trade Nelson Tasman to raise awareness of the environmental impact of the fashion industry.

Fair Trade Nelson Tasman Charitable Trust volunteer and Nelson Trade Aid Trust chairman John Marshall said said the initiative started in Britain three years ago after the 2013 tragedy in Bangladesh which saw a factory collapse and kill 1137 workers.

‘‘Fashion Revolution campaigns for systemic reform of the fashion industry with a focus on the need for greater transparency, fair and safe working conditions and ecological sustainability in the fashion supply chain,’’ he said.

Marshall said last year hundreds of events took place in over 90 countries, and the trust decided to bring it to Nelson and encourage others throughout New Zealand.

‘‘There is so much exploitation of the workers, so much exploitation of the environment, the amount of clothing people have bought is doubled in the last 10 years. We’re buying more and more cheap clothes, wearing them two or three times and throwing them away.’’

Marshall said the ‘‘big ambition’’ was to promote an annual regional Fashion Revolution re-cycle clothing competition and show, involving all secondary schools and the general public.

He said the idea was for each school to nominate a representative to help organise the fashion show and competition together with Fashion Revolution Nelson/ Tasman. ‘‘We have been impressed with the enthusiastic response so far.’’