Once upon a time my home town of Leicester was the heart of British fashion manufacturing. Big companies like Marks and Spencers, Burberry and Next (started in Leicester) would choose small family run mills and factories to produce their fabrics and stitch their garments. Many of these companies were given a fair and sustainable price by big brands and the industry was buzzing creating jobs and decent salaries for hard working families.
Today it is a completely different story as big brands have looked to the Far East, India, Bangledesh and China to use cheaper labour and inferior fabrics to give their customers what can only be described as throwaway, disposable fashion. The buzz word is fast fashion. The fallout from the mass exodus is Leicester and the Midlands are now ghost towns with decaying factories, soaring unemployment and little hope for the once booming fashion manufacturing business.
I am sure you have all bought those nasty, see through black leggings that split at the seams available in many supermarkets and High Street stores that cost anywhere between £3 and £10 per pair, often having to buy 2 pairs to prevent a bare bum disaster.
It is such a shame that these big brands don’t recognise these days there are a growing number of ethical consumers who not only want affordable luxury but also want to stop children being exploited just for a fashion fix. I am committed with my ethical fashion brand, and the PBL to bring back affordable quality, Made in England, staple pieces that stand the test of time as well as provide a much needed boost for local manufacturing.
Here are my six top reasons why I believe you should support British Manufacturing.
1. In order for the UK to get back on the world map doing what we do the best. Every person investing in fashion should read the content label very closely and not buy into cheap garments that have been made anywhere where slave labour is rife.
2. Buying British will guarantee you quality, durability and better value for money in the long run.
3. There is currently a Fashion Revolution occurring in 68 countries across the world to stamp out exploitation of labour and unethical manufacturing. We are all being encouraged to ask our favourite brands the right questions about their often quietly guarded production sources and demanding they fess up to where garments are made and by whom. Join them today. #whomademyclothes #fashrev
4. Like ants who all work together for the same purpose we need to do the same. When we all stop buying into the hyped up marketing of over priced designer named goods many of which are manufactured by the same cheaper, unethical sources, brands that care more about profit than people are forced to change.
5. Buying British not only means being patriotic but proud to keep premium craftmanship and skills alive. It also allows smaller, lesser known brands to flourish providing local jobs and helps the UK as a whole, compete on the world stage once again.
6. The countries everyone collectively buys goods and services from are going to flourish regardless of ethics, ultimately they have all the money, the power, the jobs and the success, so common sense to shop closer to home when you can.
It is important in these current times to be mindful about every action you take and the impact that action has on our neighbours and our planet. How we all spend our money is the most important decision we make because we are carving out the future of the world for generations to come.
I read a piece on ethical consumerism which projects responsibility for issues in the supply chain back on global retailers absolving the consumer of any personal responsibilty or feelings of guilt when purchasing cheap fast fashion but I still believe if we want big business to change we have to force them to do so by stopping buying in. Also as recently as this year there have been numerous reports about exploited Uigher muslims being forced to make PPE purchased by the US and UK begging the question exactly what are we supporting and buying into.
I now demand ethical affordable luxury for myself, have stopped shopping completely with brands unless they are completely transparent. I have done my research and Venus Cow produces for the price the best quality leggings for every woman and girl who lives in athleisurewear and yogapants, especially my plus size customers, who cannot find a legging that goes beyond exercising and delivers comfort and athleisure style into the evening.
Photo by: Markus Winkler Unsplash