Love and Fashion: Wearing my Faith

Since the day I could hold a paintbrush in my hand, I painted. Art was an adventure in self-expression for those moments when words served as a prison for my soul’s emotions. My love of fashion was born from my addiction to art. Fashion presented me with a way to celebrate my uniqueness; fashion becoming one with art as they both fed my hunger for creativity. They were forever linked in my heart and I could not imagine my life without them.

This passion for art came second only to my dedication to the issues of poverty, the lack of education, and abuse, especially in children. I am blessed to be able to attend graduate school at Boston College, a university dedicated to serving people from all walks of life, and a champion of social justice. Earning an advanced degree will enable me to work for the betterment of those that our society often forgets, which is, for me, a calling rather than simply a career plan.

While downsizing for our move to Boston, I gave away most of what was in my closet, including things that still had the tags on them. Such waste made me sad, so I decided that any future purchases would have to be unique clothing items that spoke to me and that supported a person rather than some faceless corporation or a big-box store. There was a lot I had to learn about the clothing industry in order to hunt down American manufacturers and international artisans, and this research into the apparel industry broke my heart.

My devotion to fashion seemed to be enslaving people for my very vanity. Children as young as 10 have been found in the sweat-shops around the world making the latest fashion for the consumer rather than attending school. It is criminal for adults to labor away for pennies a garment, but to drag children into these slave-like conditions is inhuman.

How can I claim to serve a mighty God who loves us equally, while knowingly becoming a burden to my brothers and sisters? Is it enough to speak of love and say that I follow Christ if I my words are not supported by my actions? What kind of hypocrite was I?

How can I claim to be a person of great faith, if my vanity trumps my love for humanity?

I know that in some countries a job at a factory is far better than the alternatives (i.e., prostitution, scavenging in dumps, or petty theft), however when the human rights violations are so egregious (i.e., rape and the threat of rape, beatings, or being forced to work while ill). Is it really better, or does it just soothe our conscious to tell ourselves these things when we buy those cheap T-shirts made by the hands of an abused woman?

There are factories in these developing countries that allow their employees to create a union to ensure a fair wage and humane working conditions. If we support these, we send a message the manufacturers can understand because it speaks directly to their profit margin. With Fair-Trade items becoming more mainstream, it isn’t difficult to find beautiful pieces of clothing created by artisans; people who are guaranteed payment for their skills.

According to the U.S. Department of Labor, there is a downward trend in children working in these types of apparel factories, which makes me very happy. However, I have decided to make a change in my fashion choices so that I can personally reconcile my love of fashion with my desire to help the people of this world. If anyone in a sweat-shop worked on a piece of clothing, I will not purchase it. If a company has labor complaints against them, I will not honor their practices by shopping in their stores. If there is a question in my mind that the hands that sewed the garment were not paid an honest wage, I would not knowingly buy it or wear it if I have other options.

I know that my decision will not make even the tiniest dent in the profits seen by these big businesses, but my conscious will be clear. How can I work towards the good of the forgotten people of our society, while continuing to abuse those in other countries?

The changes I’ve made in my life have been small, but they matter a lot to me. I am focusing on creating my own clothes when possible, and using cloth made in the U.S., or by someone who received a fair wage. I patronize American designers who make an effort to produce their products justly. I search for the small businesses here in The States, online or down the street...there are plenty if I take the time to look. For me, it has been a good change, a positive move in the right decision.

Art and fashion are still an important part of my life, but now they mean more. They are no longer just for self-expression. Art and fashion have become a way to apply my faith in a way that is meaningful and personal; creativity with a conscious.

So many of us are careful as to what we put into our bodies. Perhaps it is time to be a little more careful as to what we put on our bodies.

The Mouse Works (Privately owned company specializing in recycled fleece items. LOVE his hats!)
Tom's Shoes (A GREAT example of what it means to be a company with a conscious...and still succeed financially. And they make SHOES! What's not to love?)
Fair-Trade Information
Sample of Fair-Trade Items
Sweat-Free apparel guides
Responsible Shopper Site (a sample of a site that lists companies and their practices)
American Apparel: Clothing Made in America

From TED.com, another great point of view on the consumer culture we live in, and how this fun-loving designer makes clothes shopping an adventure while retaining a conscious.
Jessi Arrington: Wearing nothing new | Video on TED.com