April Monthly Theme: Sustainability

A human universal on this planet is the fact that we get dressed each day, and most of us rely on shopping for what we wear. Though, for the past three “modern” centuries, large-scale industrial practices have capitalized on our everyday clothing needs, at a great cost. Many people are unaware of the implications that the fashion industry has had on human life and our natural environment. In the past century, the term “sustainability” has sought to address this, calling our attention to how unsustainable practices can lead to devastating consequences. When it comes to the intersection of fashion and race, longstanding practices within the fashion industry have its roots in labor exploitation, natural resource extraction and harmful, race-driven ideologies. This month, our research and events will outline and examine why (and how) sustainability and race is inextricably linked.

– Kim Jenkins

Founder & Principal Researcher, The Fashion and Race Database

#fashionandrace #fashionhistory #racism #race #fashion #textilehistory #sustainability