How is our love for fashion, especially fast fashion,, contributing towards child labour and environmental pollution? After the Rana Plaza disaster, everyone sat up and took notice of sub-standard labour practices and how lack of adequate safety protocols for the workers in manufacturing facilities had played a major role in the high number of casualties as the building collapsed in Bangladesh.

Our love for fast, cheap fashion has driven manufacturers to cut costs and that unfortunately comes at a price. Sometimes it is lives, mostly it is child labour since it is cheaper and easier to exploit. A recent World Vision report we shared here shows that “risky” imports into Canada have seen an increase in number. Fashion Takes Action is a Canadian NGO working to create more awareness for sustainable and ethical manufacturing practices across the world, starting by informing the public to make ethical choices, and base their buying decisions after knowing what went into the making of their favourite fashion brands.

This June, FTA is screening two documentaries in the city in partnership with Ryerson University Social Ventures Zone.

Clothes to Die For
When Rana Plaza, the eight-storey manufacturing complex in Bangladesh collapsed, it resulted in the deaths of more than 1100 people, leaving over 2400 injured. This new documentary shares the lives of those affected by the tragic accident.

River Blue
Fashion is touted as one of the most pollutive industries, right after oil. Narrated by Jason Priestly, this documentary follows international river conservationist, Mark Angelo as he travels around the world to document and share how harsh chemical manufacturing processes and toxic waste from denim industry has destroyed water systems.

The screenings will take place at Ryerson University - Ted Rogers School of Management

Tickets are priced at CAD 10 for one or CAD 15 for both documentaries.

For details click here.