16 Jun 2022

There’s been a really big move in recent years to cut down on stuff like plastics, chemicals and pesticides in the food we eat and the clothes we wear, which is super awesome. Everywhere you look you can see things that are more reusable, made of more recycled materials and have less packaging than ever before.

As awesome as this all is, even if we do buy organic or sustainable materials, we need to look beyond the product itself. Who sat at a sewing machine, stitching your sleeves and buttons on? Who brought your favourite fits to life? What is their quality of life compared to ours?

When it comes to how we shop, we all have differing options and limitations for the ethical decisions we make - whether that’s time, money, size, access or where we live. Big companies sell you the idea that it’s okay to haul an excessive amount of clothing, as frequently as you want, through their voucher codes and 80% off sales, while they tend to rip off small designers - but how can we change this from happening?

No matter where the cycle of fashion starts and stops, if we’re overconsuming products, the demand will always be there. It’s easy to say we’re not making a massive contribution to the production of low-quality, disposable clothing compared to the companies themselves but with a fresh new perspective in our consumerism habits, we’d be able to slow down the fashion industry. Think about our mentality around ‘retail therapy’ and the exclusive nature of needing to own something - we are part of the problem.

When clothes are made and sold cheaply, it’s hard to see how fast fashion and companies alike are paying their workers a fair living wage, with a consideration for their well-being and working conditions. Fashion is one of the most labour-dependent industries, and where garment workers are forced to work long hours to meet the demands of fashion brands, it’s hard to imagine how workers are able to make a living for themselves, let alone a family to support.

But there are companies that have set out to protect the needs and rights of garment workers, as well as the environment they work in. With workers in the front of their mind, Levi’s have adopted a Worker Well-being initiative that partners with suppliers and local organisations to implement programs that focus on financial empowerment, health, equality and acceptance.

From talking to employees first-hand, to being extremely transparent about the programs and their supply chain, it’s awesome to see companies going beyond compliance and industry standards to ensure that the people behind our clothes are supported and have a voice.

So we ask, why does it matter who makes our clothes? These employees have the skills and the attention to detail that not a lot of people have. They make us feel confident on the outside, and in turn, on the inside. They’re creating art and giving us the opportunity to express ourselves in ways we haven’t before - so no matter their story, they matter. And they need to matter to us.

If you want to know more about the important work Levi’s is doing behind the scenes in the clothing industry and what they aim to achieve over the next few years, suss it all out here!

Remember to always ask questions about where your clothes are coming from, and what companies are making steps towards improving these conditions. Let’s give our planet and its people the care and support they deserve.