#Who Made My Clothes?
VIRTUAL LOCAL WALK OF MARIBOR FASHION DESIGNERS
FASHION REVOLUTION Maribor ON-LINE!
It was this time of the year again, when we joined the global #FashionRevolution movement and raise awareness of a more responsible fashion and textile industry. The current crisis we are experiencing in connection with the COVID-19 pandemic has already affected millions of people worldwide, including clothing workers. This year, we therefore preferred to connect locally and want to present fashion designers who are committed to the principles of sustainable clothing production and do not exploit the workforce. By supporting them, we are less polluting the environment, we are socially more responsible, and offer the opportunity to further develop small local business.
WE ARE FASHION REVOLUTION!!!
The issues in the fashion industry never fall on any single person, brand, or company. With systemic and structural change, the fashion industry can lift millions of people out of poverty and provide them with decent and dignified livelihoods. That’s why we focus on using our voices to transform the entire system. It can conserve and restore our living planet. It can bring people together and be a great source of joy, creativity and expression for individuals and communities.
Textile and fashion industry is the second largest polluter of the environment and is based, among other things, on the exploitation of people and their rights. Things have become even more complicated with the current situation of the virus coronary pandemic, where are millions of workers already out of work and most of them still not getting paid for their work. Despite the pandemic situation, we must not overlook the irregularities that are increasingly occurring in the clothing industry, so we decided to join the global movement #FASHIONREVOLUTION for a more fairer, safer, cleaner and transparent fashion industry in Maribor again.
JOIN US IN ACTION!
1. Ask your favorite brands who made the clothes you bought - #whomademyclothes?
2. Take a look at your cabinets at home and decide to repair, share, reuse, or rebuild clothes into a fresh new piece to get started - #haulternative #lovedclotheslast.
3. When buying new clothes, support local fashion designers who strive for a vision of a more fair and sustainable fashion - #TradeFairLiveFair!
4. Spread the word about the Fashion Revolution, support us and share posts with your friends - #fashionrevolutionmaribor #fashionrevolutionweek.
FASHION REVOLUTION is therefore the largest global movement committed to a cleaner, safer, fairer, transparent and more responsible fashion industry. Every year, during the week of April 20-26, we join the global movement and remember the catastrophe that took place seven years ago when the Rana Plaza factory in Dhaka, (Bangladesh) collapsed and buried 1,134 people, about 2,500 were injured. With the #whomademyclothes campaign created after this disaster, the movement encourages people to rethink the origins of their clothing. Changes in the clothing industry are inevitable if we want to ensure respect for human rights and protect the environment. This is why an increasing number of people join the movement every year, and organize various events, trainings, lectures and raise awareness about the campaign through social media platforms.
As consumers, we have the power to change the world just by being careful about what we buy!
(Emma Watson)
One of the first steps we can take is to approach shopping more responsibly, consciously and thoughtfully. When choosing products, first ask yourself if you really need a specific product or clothing? Buy less and more sustainably, rent or exchange, recycle or reuse, support local and home-made production, and choose from fair trade retail chains!
We started with the Fashion Revolution and various events in Maribor in 2017, when Julija Beršnjak, manager of Smetka shop & book caffe, initiated the first action. Once again, Maribor rejoined the global movement, but this time online and joined forces with local designers and various organizations that are committed to the principles of a more equitable system and environmentally friendly clothing production. During Fashion Revolution Week, we wanted to introduce to people different alternatives and other approaches that they can choose, instead of going shopping in fashion giants, and thus preferring to support local designers or other people who follow the vision of a more sustainable fashion. We wanted to make consumers aware of the fast fashion industry, which is currently the second most polluting industry of the time, and to introduce other concepts such as fair trade, zero waste and responsible shopping.
Everything we make returns to the earth either as food or as poison!
(C
è
line
Semaan)
This beautiful planet on which we live is just like us a living being that breathes, creates and seeks its true balance. As individuals, we can contribute to a fairer and better future for all - for the planet, animals, nature and the people we live on it. Everyone has the power to choose better alternatives for our everyday activities. Thoughtful shopping, respectful food handling, gratitude for the things we have can help to create a better world.
This time we prepared Fashion Revolution action as a virtual walk around Maribor, where we presented local designers and organizations that create fashion stories in this beautiful city. After the presentation of the designers we also prepared Pop-up shops, in which you were be able to take a closer look at the artworks that they make and to buy clothes online. On Sunday, however, we concluded the event with the U.R.S.A. Swap Caffè (Zoom On-line Meeting), where we had a morning coffee and a relaxed conversation with the manager of Fair Trade Slovenia, Živa Lopatič, about the #fashionrevolutionweek and #whomademyclothes campaign. All about previous Fashion Revolution events in Maribor you can also read more here!
CZK (Center for creativity)
The first point along the path of a virtual local tour was the Center for creativity (CZK). It was designed by MAO Slovenia (Museum of Architecture and Design) in Ljubljana and established as CZK project office in Maribor. Their purpose is to provide a supportive environment for the development of the cultural and creative sector in Slovenia. CZK connects, promotes, represents and supports activities in the fields of architecture, design, visual art, cultural tourism and various other artistic creation. They encourage the development of projects, establish collaborations between individuals and companies, and enable the further development of entrepreneurial skills.
Center for creativity (CZK) joined #FASHIONREVOLUTION action for the first time in 2019 and has positively surprised us by making Second-hand Pop-up shop designed by Andreja Japelj along with others at CZK. A pop-up second hand clothing store has been set up from three local second hand stores: Superstyle, Hahaha Second hand and Textile House Slovenija. By selecting the clothing they presented at the event, they proved that the clothing offered by these stores can be extremely high-quality, fashionable and affordable, and thus help us to be more conscious consumers. This time, however, they have prepared for us a Fashion Map of local designers, which you can visit in Maribor and you can see it here - FASHION MAP OF LJUBLJANA AND MARIBOR.
MIRI COTA (Local fashion designer)
On the second day, the path through a virtual local walk of Maribor fashion designers took us to a little hidden Barvarska street, where Mira Strnad designs and creates her own unique fashion clothing, under the name Miricota. Miri acquired sewing knowledge and skills at the Secondary Textile School, and later decided to continue her studies at the Faculty of Education, department of Fine Arts. Already during her studies, she began designing her first clothes and combined sewing and drawing skills into beautiful new creations.
Miri designs the newly created clothes as collages, interweaving various sewing techniques, sewn paintings and small details that gives the final unique look. Her creations are very colorful, bold, custom made and perfectly emphasize persons unique character. In addition to regular work with clients, Miri often prepares various exhibitions or participates in various art projects and theaters around Slovenia as a costume designer. At the entrance to her studio, there is also one of the smallest galleries in Europe, where she always has some interesting small objects related to art or the sewing industry on display.
E2RD Design (Fashion & jewelry designer)
On the third day of the virtual walk along the path of Maribor fashion designers, we presented a boutique story E2RD design! The fashion story features Bojana Kovačič Zemljič, a designer of unique jewelry and owner of a gallery on Gosposka street in the city center. In the gallery you can feel the true artistic flare of the city, since there is always something going on. In addition to really sophisticated jewelry and bold pieces of clothing, Bojana often organizes various events and exhibitions of other contemporary artists. One of the designer's greatest creative accomplishments, which is worth highlighting, is the jewelry design for a Hollywood movie shoot about jazz singer Nina Simone.
Bojana Kovačič Zemljič, who designs and manufactures jewelry under the name E2RD, has a truly unique and original design style. Her creations are vibrant, magical, bold, and with that she presents us her little dream world. She combines sophisticated jewelry with the combination of various natural materials such as crystals, metals and pearls, and has introduced new computer techniques in combination with other modern materials. Bojana uses the least amount of waste to design jewelry and collections. She uses and recycles artificial leather and other waste materials when making new products.
TANJA UVERA Fashion (Sustainable fashion designer)
On the fourth day of the virtual walk, we traveled to a sustainable clothing designer Tanja Uvera, who creates in her fashion studio at Lent in the Splavar passage. Tanja makes knitwear for all those fashion enthusiasts who love comfortable, contemporary and feminine clothing. The designer uses the principle that the garment is versatile and conjures up a new image with small stylistic tricks. She creates new inspirations, often draws from nature and aligns with the seasons and fashion trends. It mainly uses natural materials such as high quality viscose, cotton, wool and other yarns.
Sustainable clothing designer Tanja Uvera is one of those fashion artists who keeps us excited with new creations and her warm welcomes at her studio. When ordering, she completely devotes herself to the client, adjusting the artwork according to his/her lifestyle and wardrobe. Knitwear is very easy to use and maintain. They can be washed at low temperature and even ironing is not necessary, so we do not burden the environment with additional energy consumption and pollution. Tanja often makes her clients and the general public aware of how we can handle our clothes more responsibly at various fashion events and talks about sustainable fashion.
LUCI Clothing (Ethical fashion designer)
On the fifth day of #FashionRevolution action in Maribor, joined us Lucie Görlichová, who stands behind the fashion brand of sustainable and ethical clothing LUCI. Lucie advocates the idea of a minimalistic way of life, so she designs her clothes according to that belief. Her clothes are timeless, comfortable, functional and long-lasting. Products are made from natural materials such as organic cotton, linen, wood and can also be recycled later. With using predominantly certified materials she ensures, that her production is ethical.
Lucie designs and manufactures all her clothes and fashion accessories from the very beginning of the idea to the final realization of the product. Each piece is designed with consideration on human impact on the environment, with social responsibility and according to the principles of sustainable fashion. And she is also designing her clothes with as little waste as possible; for example, used fabric scraps is using for recycling projects. Clothes are produced locally and in small quantities, as much as it is necessary, not to further burden the environment. When packing, she also makes sure that all materials are natural and can be recycled correctly later.
SMETKA Shop & book caffe
On the sixth day, has joined us in Fashion Revolution action Smetka, shop & book caffe which is a young, socially responsible company, developed from the so-called project within the society Aktiviraj se. Shop offers visitors the possibility of alternative shopping. Every product is carefully selected, has its own story and a positive background with social impact. By knowing what you buy, the consumer is more responsible and contributes to the development of the local, social and green economy. Products that are offered in the store are products of Slovenian social enterprises, organic farms, cooperatives and fair trade.
Smetka opened a coffee shop some time ago, so you can enjoy vintage atmosphere, a large selection of books and special ecological and fair trade coffee BUNA. The store, however, not only offers products for shopping but also encourages the consumer to actively participate and recycle. Because they do not use plastic bags in the shop, they collect paper-based shopping bags or gift bags, which then offer to their customers. However, you can also bring in the store old jeans, buttons, scraps of textile, wool, thread, beads and other materials for recycling projects in Recycling Lab. And one of the first actions of Fashion Revolution in Maribor was actually made in Smetka in year 2017 initiated by Julija Beršnjak, department store manager!
In the week between 20.4. and 26.4.2020, we joined the Fashion Revolution global movement asking #whomademyclothes, #whatsinmyclothes, exploring local Maribor fashion designers and hung out online for a coffee and a relaxed conversation. We believe that together we can create a better world by changing our everyday habits, responsibly shopping and supporting sustainable practices in the local environment. And we also believe that together we can change the global fashion industry, based on preserving and restoring the environment and valuing people over profit and economic growth. Thank you for virtually joining the movement and supporting us!❤️
