Stitching Communities and Ethics Together

Fashion activist and PhD academic, Alessandra Lopez y Royo, has published a book that explores the social and sustainable intricacies of fashion ateliers today. Titled: ‘Sustainable Fashion, Migrants, Embroidery: Ateliers of ‘Social Integration’ published by Bloomsbury, Alessandra spent 3-years collating immersive fieldwork, which included a stop at Fashion-Enter Ltd and an interview with Jenny Holloway.

The book begins with a focus on how sewing and clothes making brings people, often from underprivileged and migrant backgrounds, together. The fashion industry is notorious for unethical exploitation, however the core thread here is on social enterprises and initiatives that support and celebrate the variety of skills and craft knowledge that multi-cultural communities bring to the table.

Alessandra visits several ‘ateliers solidaires’ from Southern Italy to Morocco and London, and introduces their core principles of social inclusion and skills sharing.

‘Sewing is identified as a means for building a sense of community.’

The book progresses to London where she emphasises the focus on slow fashion, recycling, upcycling and repairs. From the increased interest in upcycled, vintage pieces at Portobello Market to Fashion-Enter Ltd’s ethos of proximity sourcing. 

FEL’s Founder and CEO, Jenny Holloway opens up about the skills and expertise of the company’s predominantly Eastern European workforce, and how there needs to be better communication amongst the various support groups to work with the communities as a whole.

In Part 3: We are all Fashion Archaeologists Now, Alessandra wraps up her research with an emphasis on rethinking our relationship with clothes and the people that make them. She includes the following quote from Greta Thunberg: 

“We are living in a state of emergency: the climate, ecological and sustainability crisis is the greatest threat humanity has ever faced…This is a humanitarian catastrophe for those living, not just those that come after us.”

Sustainable Fashion, Migrants, Embroidery: Ateliers of ‘Social Integration provides thought-provoking insight into existing businesses and initiatives that are fostering change and committing to integrity, compassion and honesty for fellow humans and the environment. 

To find out more about this dress and fashion research book tap here.