Meanwhile, in Bangladesh (Part 1)

Have you been checking out all the fashion weeks? Toronto, Paris, New York, Vancouver... We sure have! We've been glued to Style.com, Pinterest and The Sartorialist. We've been discussing what's next in fashion, posting pictures of our favourite pieces and talking about walks and shoes and bags and so many pretty things. Its fairly easy to get caught up in all the beauty of it all. But there are issues within the fashion industry, as there are within any business. The weight of models is a reoccurring hot topic, the use of unpaid interns a constant issue. Then you have advertising and its never ending faux pas and moral plunders. Yet, these issues are rather frivolous in nature, as important as they are to acknowledge. The fashion industry in itself is rather trivial, despite its solid footing and importance in the global economy.

I'm not meaning to patronize or speak down of the industry, but every now and then we have to remind ourselves, it is just clothing. We got into the industry for the love of it. You sacrifice a little and put up with a lot because you want to be part of the glamour, the design and the hustle. The thing is, this decision is not a global occurrence. In countries like Bangladesh where the main industry is apparel, it is not a choice but rather necessity to work in a clothing factory. They need the pittance that it puts in their pocket to keep a dilapidated roof overhead.

We wrote about the Bangladeshi factory disaster back in July, and we've touched on the appalling conditions in some of the factories throughout Asia. Both these topics have made their way onto high-profile papers and global broadcasts. So we found it quite interesting it isn't nation-wide news that right now there is a strike going on. At this moment, on the other side of the world where the majority of the clothing is made, there is a labour movement happening.  10,000 workers in Bangladesh are currently standing together in protest to demand higher wages, that would take the minimum monthly wage from $38 to $103.

Now take note Western World, because if the previous headlines didn't get your attention, this one might. This story will not just call for your compassion or views on social justice. Its not being told so you can talk with your friends about shopping boycotts that you inevitably forget about. We won't be able to deny it or turn a blind eye, because this labour movement is going to get passed on to the consumer. The factory owners won't be taking the financial hit to supply Joe Fresh with two-dollar tank tops. The cost is going to be to your wallet, and fair enough. Fast fashion may have to rethink itself. Its just going to be interesting to see how the rest of the world and the uninformed public react.

There are quite a few directions to go with this information, which is why I've broken it up. We could discuss the events going on in Bangladesh. We could talk about the global movement it may start. We could even talk about how it will affect the Canadian apparel industry. I want to review all of the avenues, and will, but for this week let's get the conversation started and see how you, our lovely reader, will take this all in.