Join us for Fashion Revolution Week 2024
Taking place from 15 - 24 April in Cape Town and Johannesburg
Fashion Revolution Week is our annual campaign, surrounding the anniversary of the Rana Plaza disaster in Bangladesh. As this year marks our tenth anniversary as a global, people-powered movement, we invite you to join us for ten days of action through the variety of events we have organised for you:
Wednesday, 17 April: Film Screening of Fashion Reimagined at the Bertha House Auditorium in Mowbray, Cape Town
Friday, 19 April: Fashion Show with Bluepriest, The Priesthood and Pattern Nation at 42 Palmer Road, Muizenberg, Cape Town
Saturday, 20 April: Mend in Public Day at the Green Point Park in Green Point, Cape Town
Saturday, 20 April: Twyg x 44 Stanley Slow Fashion Festival at 44 Stanley in Milpark, Johannesburg
Sunday, 21 April: Clothing Swap at the Design Academy of Fashion, at the Old Biscuit Mill in Woodstock, Cape Town
Scroll down for more information on these events and RSVP to confirm your spot. We look forward to seeing you!
Film Screening: Fashion Reimagined (Free event)
Join us for a free film screening of Fashion Reimagined at the auditorium at Bertha House on Wednesday, 17th April. Doors will open from 17:30 and the screening will start at 19:00, so you will have the opportunity to connect with other activists, students and citizens before and after the film. We will also have some interactive activities to spark important conversations around the sustainable fashion movement in South Africa and what it means to be a Fashion Revolutionary.
About Fashion Reimagined:
Fashion designer Amy Powney of cult label Mother of Pearl is a rising star in the London fashion scene. Raised off-the-grid in rural England by activist parents, Amy has always felt uneasy about the devastating environmental impact of her industry. When she wins the coveted Vogue award for the Best Young Designer of the Year, which comes with a big cash prize, Amy decides to use the money to create a sustainable collection from field to finished garment, and transform her entire business. Over the following three years, her own personal revolution becomes the precursor of a much bigger, societal change.
Fashion Show (Free event)
Start your weekend of activism by joining us on Friday, 19th April from 18:00 for a collaborative street fashion show, organised by Bluepriest, the Priesthood and Pattern Nation, as they showcase the latest designs from their community of artists and celebrate the beauty of upcycled, one of a kind and handmade fashion. We will have Dj’s throughout the night playing the best of South African sounds to get the vibe going while we celebrate sustainable fashion through design, creative expression, and community. Meet and connect with the people who make the clothes sold at Bluepriest, learn the stories behind the garments and accessories on show and discover one of the most creative and dynamic hubs for alternative fashion in the Western Cape.
About the designers:
Bluepriest Afroteck Streetwear, located in Muizenberg, is a hub for artisan clothing, accessories and more, all created and designed by local makers. The Bluepriest house brand specializes in small runs of colourful Afroteck Streetwear and one of a kind designs & hats for all ages. Through their collective, the Priesthood, they also stock creations from numerous designers across South Africa.
Social Media Handles:
Designers: @pattern.nation @bluepriest_za @thepriesthood_cpt @alionshitapparel4 @might_kingmk263
DJ’s: @costabesta @masa6lackalion
Mend in Public Day (Free event)
You are invited to join us at the Green Point Park in Cape Town on Saturday 20th April between 10:00 and 15:00 as we take collective action through our global Mend in Public Day. By participating, you will be part of a global collective action resisting the cycle of excess through repair and reuse. As we are also aiming to build community and help you learn new skills, we are extending this event to anyone who may not have particular items in need of mending, but want to join us as they work on their other hand-made projects, such as their embroidery, knitting, crocheting etc. We also encourage you to bring any other gently worn items of clothing that others can mend and any equipment you want to use or are open to sharing. We will also have a variety of materials and equipment available on the day, along with some expert help from our team of volunteers, to offer you the opportunity to learn new skills and experiment with different techniques.
Get your repair pile at the ready and join us for a day of collective resistance against disposable fashion. All skill levels and Fashion Revolutionaries welcome! You can learn more about this event on our website, and you are also welcome to organise and host your own Mend in Public day with your friends and community. Just make sure to tag us @fash_rev_southafrica so we can see what you get up to!
Slow Fashion Festival
Twyg and 44 Stanley have organised a Slow Fashion Festival as part of Fashion Revolution Week and have invited you to join them on Saturday, 20 April for a fashion-filled day to the brim! Twyg will be hosting their Swap&Mend, and Collen from Patch & Stitch will facilitate a mending and upcycling demonstration on the day, in support of the global Mend in Public day. Dr Erica de Greef from the African Fashion Research Institute will also be sharing some knowledge through an educational talk on her research. The Fashion Reimagined documentary will also be screening at 10:00 at the Bioscope. There will be a variety of other demonstrations and workshops throughout the day, so there's plenty of reasons for you to be there! Tickets cost R50 if you have cash, or R60 if you pay with card/purchase your ticket online.
Clothing Swap (R50 entrance fee)
On Sunday, 21 April, we will be hosting a clothing swap event in Cape Town between 10:00 and 14:00 at the Design Academy of Fashion at the Old Biscuit Mill, 375 Albert Road, Woodstock, Cape Town. Clothing Swaps serve as a great opportunity for you to engage in fashion activism, refresh your wardrobe, and engage with other like-minded individuals. You can bring up to 10 of your pre-loved clothing items and accessories that you no longer need with you on the day. For each item that passes our quality checks, you will receive a token, which you can use to exchange for new-to-you items. The clothing swap will have a R50 entrance fee.
Looking to host your own event during Fashion Revolution Week? Check out this guide on our website for some useful tips. Make sure you tag us @fash_rev_southafrica so that we can see what you get up to and share it to our platforms too! If you want to reach out to collaborate with us, or have any questions regarding the campaign, please contact us on southafrica@fashionrevolution.org.
We are seeking funding and donations so that we can keep our organisation running, and to keep our events free and accessible to as many people as possible. We would really appreciate your support; even a small donation of R100 goes a long way in covering our expenses. You can make a donation here.