We challenged our reliance on fast fashion and pledged to wear a limited number of clothes for the week. As we wore less for a week, we gained a renewed appreciation of the clothes on our backs and the garment workers who make these clothes worldwide.
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Why the Six Items Challenge?
Fast fashion is the new consumer phenomenon. To increase profits, brands change their stock every 4 to 6 weeks to keep up with the very latest fashion trends at a price which makes the clothes cheap and disposable. As a result, this fast-paced cycle of the clothes we buy creates an insatiable desire for new trends. Fast fashion is the drive to sell more, consume more, make more, waste more. The Six Items Challenge is designed to challenge our increasing reliance on fast fashion by pledging to only wear the six items we choose throughout the week. Created by Labour Behind the Label, it also raises vital funds to enable the organization to keep fighting for the justice that garment workers deserve as a fundraising event. Re(dress) members are tackling their own fashion fasts for the week, from Monday, October 24, to Sunday, October 30. Track our progress on this page and join us if you think you’re up for the challenge! |
"Limiting myself to a defined number of clothings made me more conscious about my choices. As someone who uses fashion as a creative outlet, I thought it was fun to form multiple different outfits with the same clothes. But more than the fun, the powerful message behind this challenge inspires me to continue making smart choices in what I'm communicating through what I wear." -- Amy K. |
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"The first few days were easy, despite a few extra loads of laundry and remembering to take a picture of my outfit each day...Looking back, it is clear that I am still affected by the social norms that determine what clothing is appropriate for a given setting. I don't mind that some choose to indulge more in clothing if it is what they truly find pleasure in, but I do not believe it is right that there exists a level of expectation and judgement accompanying clothing choices. I am thankful that I have superfluous clothing options and will try to continually remember the responsibility that comes along with clothing access." -- Robby B. |
"This challenge helped me recognize the strenuous labors that our apparel makers go through...to always keep in mind that what I buy does not do any justice to the arduous toil that garment workers go through. It was a great way to appreciate what I have and respect those who provide this for me." -- Vivian L. |
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"During the week, I didn't have access to an endless arsenal of outfits to pick and choose from without second thought. This challenge forced me to see that I treat clothes as disposable. I shouldn't succumb to trends and buy hoards of cheap clothes just to let them rot at the bottom of my drawers. I am now aware of the value of each of my clothes." -- Jasmyn C. |