Making Fashion Advocacy Matter

Claire Goldsworthy, ethical fashion advocate and sustainability warrior was a finalist in Women of the Future Awards 2018

The Australian Women’s Weekly AGL Women of the Future Awards celebrates inspiring young women who are making a difference. Among the finalists was 29 year old Claire Goldworthy of The Fashion Advocate.

Transparency in processes and standards is a value to hold above so many others, especially in fashion, so we asked Claire what drives her to be a fashion influencer and this is what she had to say.

"Fashion is soon to become the most polluting industry in the world, taking over oil. This is my industry, my passion, my career, and I want to be responsible for creating positive change, not destruction.

I started writing to make a difference, and through my blog, my influencer profile and my online store, I want to inspire people to make positive changes. Fashion can be used as a force for good; it connects us all.

WE ALL GET UP AND PUT CLOTHES ON EVERY DAY, IT'S OUR IDENTITY, OUR ARMOUR, OUR EVERYDAY RITUAL. IT SHOULD BE ETHICAL AND SUSTAINABLE, AND IT CAN BE, BUT WE NEED TO CHANGE A FEW THINGS TO GET THERE. 

I'm passionate about working towards those changes, and helping other shoppers do the same. I don't believe that women should feel great in an outfit in one country, by exploiting a woman in another; it doesn't have to be this way. 

There are 3 things that just have to change in the fashion industry

1. 
   

   Corporate social responsibility.

   
   Companies need to start taking responsibility for the goods they produce, and their success as a company should be measured by social and environmental impact, not just sales. For too long, the dollar has been a driving force in fashion, and it needs to change at the top level if we are to see a global shift. 52 million tonnes of clothing will be made this year alone, and 87% of it is destined for landfill or the incinerator - the latter is something companies should be heavily taxed for and forced to change asap! If they're aware they are burning off stock at the end of season, they shouldn't make so much next season. 
2. 
   

   Consumer awareness.

   
   Shoppers need to educate themselves on their impact and understand the garment lifecycle a little more. We’ve all been concerned with trends and having the latest things for too long, and not concerned enough about the butterfly effect of our purchases. I believe people are good though, and if they’re presented with two options and an understanding of what’s ‘good' and what's 'bad', they'll make the right choice especially if they know the whole story of a garment.
   
   IT WOULD BE INCREDIBLE IF THE FASHION INDUSTRY INTRODUCED TRANSPARENCY ACROSS THE BOARD, AND HAD TO DECLARE THE FACTS AND FIGURES ON EACH SWING TAG INCLUDING GARMENT WAGES AND THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT PRE-CONSUMER. 
   
   If people had the facts they needed right in front of them to make an educated decision every time they bought something - I do believe people wouldn't buy fast fashion. 
3. 
   

   Global standards of wages.

   
   It's 2018, yet women in India are working for as little as 18 cents an hour in some cases. This is a political issue and a human rights issue, and just because a country declares a 'minimum wage' doesn't make that wage ethical or livable. We need a global shift to no exploitation in human rights, and garment manufacturing industry standards across the board, in every country."

The judges of The Australian Women’s Weekly AGL Women of the Future Awards are a line up of some of the most impressive women in Australia.

Tanya Plibersek |  Ita Buttrose | Nicole Byers | Lisa Harrington  | Ronnie Kahn | Julie Bishop | Lisa Wilkinson

Claire didn't take out the gold in the awards, but she did take herself to lunch with Ita Butrose, Julie Bishop and Lisa Wilkinson and hundreds of aspiring women from all kinds of related fields. And while she didn't win the gong, she won the attention of everyone in that influential room of inspiring women who have now heard her story. And are just a little more conscious about ethical fashion. And that is what counts.

It is important to be recognised, especially by mainstream consumers, but we think Claire's best work is yet to come and she is someone who will join many other advocates and activists who are working to improve many industries, including the fashion industry and our relationship with it. 

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