Fashion Revolution Week is here and what an impact it has made already. Our social media feeds are filled with people asking the question #WhoMadeMyClothes and #WhoMadeMyJewellery prompting designers and brands across the globe to provide transparency on how their products are made.
The Fashion Revolution launched in the UK in 2013 in response to the Rana Plaza Factory building collapse which killed more than 1,138 people and injured many more – Fashion Revolution Week falls on the 24th April, the anniversary of the tragedy. It has been designed to scrutinise industry practices and emphasise the need for transparency in the supply chain, while also celebrating the positive influence of fashion and the rise in ethically and sustainably made items.
Find out more about Fashion revolution
Revolutionising the Jewellery Industry
Four years ago the Fashion Revolution welcomed jewellers and jewellery consumers into the campaign and encouraged them to ask ‘Who Made My Jewellery’. With Fairtrade gold and ethical jewellery in higher demand than ever before it is clear that people are now looking to make positive changes to unfair practices that may have once been unknown or ignored. Fairtrade gold has made a real difference to the lives of miners and their communities with fair wages being paid and money being invested into building their communities future.
Find out more about Fairtrade Gold
In recent industry news we have seen The Responsible Jewellery Council (RJC) launch a new code of practices which define responsible, social and environmental business practices for businesses in the jewellery supply chain; Jewellery collective ‘Fair Luxury’ joined forces with Fashion Revolution to support the campaign and promote it widely amongst the jewellery industry; and new firm V&V launched a free guide to help brands understand Fairmined and Fairtrade gold schemes. This alone highlights how important this issue has become within the jewellery industry and how much is being done to raise awareness and tackle it.
The ‘WhoMadeMyJewellery’ and ‘IMadeYourJewellery’ campaigns allow everyone from designer makers, brands and stone cutters to manufacturers and miners to highlight responsible practices and bring more transparency to the jewellery industry.
#IMadeYourJewellery
To name but a few of the pioneers in the jewellery industry that are using ethically produced materials and showing you exactly who made your jewellery. These brands, both past and present exhibitors of IJL, are truly leading the way in creating a more transparent, ethical and fair industry.
Dinny Hall
Dinny Hall Jewellery joined the Fashion Revolution Week campaign to highlight their passion for making the industry fairer, safer, cleaner and more transparent. Dinny and her team oversee the entire production process and the finished pieces are made by master goldsmiths trained by Dinny herself. Dinny Hall is also known for using only genuine gemstones chosen from responsible sources.
Natalie Perry
IJL 2018 Kickstarter, Natalie Perry, has won awards for her ethical and sustainable luxury jewellery collections. Each piece of Natalie Perry jewellery is made using Fairtrade Gold, recycled silver and ethically-sourced gemstones.
Weston Beamor
Leading casting house, Weston Beamor, took to instagram to show their support for the #IMadeYourJewellery campaign to highlight the
importance of knowing where your jewellery is made and choosing responsibly produced products and materials. Weston Beamor cast 18ct yellow and white Fairtrade and Fairmined gold for customers registered with the Fairtrade Foundation.
Find out more about Fair Luxury, the ‘Who Made My Jewellery’ campaign and how to get involved
Ute Decker
Ute Decker joined us as part of the Uniquely UK showcase at IJL 2018 and showcased her award-winning Spiral Neck Sculpture made from 100% recycled sterling silver. Ute is renowned for her ethical collections, all made from only the finest sustainable materials and was one of the first jewellers in the world to launch a collection in Fairtrade gold!
Raw Pearls
Naturally organic, virtually renewable and environmentally friendly – the pearl is perfectly suited to the cause. Longstanding IJL exhibitor and fine pearl jewellery supplier, Raw Pearls, hand-select all of their pearls, sourcing each one internationally from pearls farms and string almost all of their jewellery in their Somerset workshops.
Ethical Jewellery and IJL 2019
Here at IJL we proudly support and showcase many brands that highlight some of the best in ethical and sustainable design from brands such as Gecko and Hockley Mint to Ora Pearls and Mazayen. We are also delighted to announce that Fairtrade Foundation will be joining us on stand B38 and will also be sponsoring the Inspiration Theatre so do make sure to stop by and be inspired by Fairtrade.
What about who made my fast fashion jewellery? This is where we should be focussing our gaze and asking questions! The level of waste through overproduction, cheap & poor manufacturing and workers living conditions. If you’re going to do a blog on transparency it’s easy with willing participants where sustainability is in the core of their brand. I used to work in this industry I’ve seen the dark side.