By Laura Fetherston, Climate Action Leeds volunteer
A Leeds group has invited local people to contribute clothes for a creative effort to protect the planet and the textile workers who supply the UK's shops.
The Leeds Craftivists campaign, which runs until mid-March, is called "Transforming Trade". It's in support of Transform Trade, an organisation calling for MPs to support the creation of a UK Fashion Watchdog.
The Craftivists are making a large banner covered in tiny garments such as dresses, hats, and jumpers, which have been made by members of the public. They plan to present the banner to Leeds MPs on March 15th, and will ask them to join the pledge to support the creation of a UK fashion watchdog.
The group is working alongside local artist and activist Pippa Woodhams, who specialises in felt making. Pippa’s most recent work - as part of an ongoing exhibition at Armley Mills called Entangled - has focused on asking the question: "Who made my clothes?" This is to encourage all of us to consider the changes needed to transform our clothing industry so it's just and sustainable for all involved.
"Fast fashion", which sees garments created and sold for extremely low prices, is not only run on the mistreatment of factory workers worldwide but also creates vast amounts of waste and produces carbon emissions that contribute significantly to climate change. The UK fashion watchdog would be an independent regulatory body tasked with ensuring that companies trading in the UK have ethical supply chains free from exploited labour. It would be modelled after the Groceries Code Adjudicator that already exists for supermarkets.
The Leeds Craftivists began in 2019, headed by Anna Bland, and launched online in 2020. They now run in person as part of Leeds Sanctuary, located in The Calls. Inspired by the work of Sarah Corbett, the Craftivists aim to make activism more accessible to a wider audience, and to offer a space for those who want a slower, more reflective form of protest.
"Craftivism" blends creativity and protest by incorporating crafts (such as knitting, sewing, and crochet) into activist movements for social and political change. Corbett discovered the term, originally coined by Betsy Greer in 2003, in her search for an alternative to more confrontational activism. She went on to found The Craftivist Collective in 2009, a global community dedicated to facilitating action through "gentle protest", a method rooted in compassion and nuance. The Leeds Craftivists bring their creative skills to different sustainability-oriented campaigns for three months at a time, and have worked on issues such as public transport, water quality, climate and migration, and food waste. They follow the Craftivist ethos: "If we want to build a world that is beautiful, kind, and fair, then our activism must be beautiful, kind, and fair too".
If you’re interested in getting involved in Transforming Trade, the Craftivists will have their final meeting of the campaign on Monday 3rd of March, and tickets are available for free at the following link: https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/leeds-sanctuary. Crafting materials are provided at the meeting and all abilities are welcome.
If you wish to contribute a crafted tiny garment to the banner, but are unable to make the meeting, please send it to the following address by the 10th of March:
Leeds Craftivists
43 The Calls
Leeds
LS2 7EY
Additionally, you can email your MP to ask them to support Transform Trade’s call for a UK fashion watchdog and better regulation of fast fashion supply chains.
You can also follow the Leeds Craftivists on Instagram, with the handle @leedscraftivists.
Comments