Who Made Your Clothes?

Did you know it was Fashion Revolution Week and as consumers we're being urged to ask Who made our clothes? We dedicated secondhand shoppers are already doing our bit for the planet (& its inhabitants) by not buying into fast fashion, shunning the new and by recycling other people's cast-offs. I'm proud that the proceeds from the clothes I buy either go to charity or to small independent vintage and secondhand businesses and not to dubious third world sweatshops.

Anokhi waistcoat via 5678 Vintage

Still, it does feel good when you can admire the pieces you own and know that they were ethically produced. My block-printed cotton maxi waistcoat is by Anokhi (meaning wonderful), a bang-on Indian brand established in 1970 and based on a farm outside the Pink City of Jaipur, who still use the traditional printing method with blocks hand carved from local teak wood.The Indian-grown cotton used in the manufacture of their products is coloured by hand using all-natural dyes.

WEARING: Vintage 1970s maxi from a charity shop I deconstructed and remade using an Indian bag as a bodice 

Anokhi pride themselves on looking after their workers, allowing them space and comfort whilst they work. They are paid fairly and the company strive to ensure all their employees have long term, secure work and income.The workers lunch in a communal al fresco setting where they are supplied with a good meal, often using food grown on the farm. They have an environmentally friendly air conditioning system which uses cool water and fresh air to ensure the workers are comfortable in the workshop.

Workers at the Anokhi factory (Source)

The love and care Anokhi show their workers is almost palpable in their clothes, not only are they beautiful to look at but they are a joy to wear. As you know, I'm happy to buy Anokhi clothes not only secondhand but also new and at full retail price - and I don't say that about many labels!

WEARING: Lamani coin belt (worn as a necklace) made using obsolete George V 1941 rupee coins

Talking of secondhand shopping - here's some of my chazza shop finds from the last seven days:

Clockwise from top left: 1980s Indian velvet jacket; St Michael fake fur; 1980s-does-the-1960s American-made velvet mini dress; Chinese brocade wrap; Gents tailcoat; 1960s three-button blazer; Handmade raw silk cocoon coat; 1960s gents car coat; Anokhi for East patchwork midi skirt; 1970s English-made cord bomber jacket; 1960s Chinese brocade padded jacket; Peruvian Connection organic cotton skirt (currently retailing at £149); Handmade Mexican (?) cotton tunic

I managed to create this outfit from last Thursday's finds:

The tapestry overnight bag is St Michael (vintage 1980s Marks & Spencer), the leather boots are by Clarks, the 1970s wool felt hat is a replacement for my other vintage navy hat (which is slightly too small) and the ridiculous giraffe maxi is unlabelled and possibly one of the craziest prints I've come across in a long time.  Linking to The Style Crone, Judith's Hat Attack #70.

SOURCE

If you're interested in how Anokhi manages to run a successful retail business using traditional methods whilst ensuring that both its profits and the workforce thrive check out this article HERE

See you soon!