Documentary screening and pop-up clothing shop makes impact on students
After watching “The True Cost,” a documentary about the problem of labor trafficking in the clothing industry, the Shire Mods resident advisors (RAs) felt they needed to take action.
They decided to host an event on Jan. 30 that would educate their residents on ways they can act to alter the existing culture of fast fashion.
The “Shop the Shire” event at the Shire Mods screened the documentary and featured a pop-up clothing shop which recycled garments donated by its residents. Upon arrival, attendees received tickets which enabled them to pick out the clothes they desired to take home.
The documentary, which included news segments such as a sweatshop factory burning down in which hundreds of workers were killed, revealed that “The True Cost” of the fashion industry is the human rights of factory workers. By recycling and thrifting clothes, participants no longer consumed threads made by people in underdeveloped countries who do not receive fair wages or work in adequate conditions.
The night included a tri-fold project board filled with statistics and facts about fast fashion. The board explained how the event correlated with the Fashion Revolution movement, which is a global effort aiming to transform the current state of the fashion industry.
According to a Human Rights Watch article by Aruna Kashyap, “factory building collapses and fires are not the only problems in the apparel manufacturing world. In the US $2.4 trillion garment industry, which employs millions of workers worldwide, labor rights abuses are rife.”
Raquel Sariles, a Shire Mods RA and junior nursing major, said the documentary inspired her and fellow RAs to create an event where people could donate and recycle their clothing.
Many students who attended the event felt the documentary and the concept of the pop-up shop made an impact on them.
Haley Newsman, a junior Christian ministries major, said by understanding where clothes come from and how they are made is crucial to shifting the culture around fast fashion.
Natalie Mata, a sophomore public relations major and Shire resident, said she not only gained greater insight on product sourcing but also walked away with a handful of thrifted threads.
“[From now on] I just want to shop smarter,” said Mata.
Megan Brooks, the Shire Mods Resident Director, said she was proud of the RAs who organized the event.
“We really try to be creative with our events, that they are fun, engaging and educational,” Brooks said.