Who Made My Clothes? Why Transparency Matters in Fashion

Why Fashion Revolution Week Exists

Carry Somers and Orsola de Castro began Fashion Revolution as a response to the Rana Plaza tragedy in 2013. The factory collapse killed more than 1,100 garment workers who were making clothes for major global brands. Every April, around the anniversary of the disaster, Fashion Revolution Week brings people together to honor the lives we lost and demand better from the fashion industry. We ask questions like:

• Who made my clothes?
• What’s in my clothes?
• How are they made?

Those questions matter because if brands can’t (or worse, won’t) tell you where your clothes come from, there’s probably something they don’t want you to see.

What’s changed (and what hasn’t)

More than a decade since the Rana Plaza disaster and the beginning of the Fashion Revolution movement, there has been progress.

• Thousands of brands now respond to #WhoMadeMyClothes
• Some companies publish their factories and suppliers
• Consumers are asking more questions than ever

However, there’s so much more to do. Many garment workers still earn poverty wages, and unsafe conditions and labor abuses continue across the industry.

Most fashion brands still don’t fully disclose how their clothing is made or who makes them – transparency is still the exception instead of the norm.

Why Transparency Matters in Fashion

In this uncertain economy, we understand the appeal of cheap finds and fast fashion. We often fall under the spells of our favorite influencers, tapping through to a cute Amazon find or Shein haul. But here’s the thing: someone made that $10 top, and they deserve to be treated fairly.

Most garment workers (especially women in developing countries) are underpaid, overworked, and often working in dangerous conditions. The production processes and materials lead to unimaginable waste, pollution, and synthetic fibers that aren’t good for consumers or the environment.

When brands aren’t transparent, those problems stay hidden. Transparency is like turning the lights on. It means knowing who’s making your clothes, knowing what materials they’re using, and knowing your dollars are supporting good, not harm.

That’s why we care, and why we pour our heart and soul into fair trade fashion.

The People Behind Your Clothes

The fashion industry is powered by millions of workers—most of them women.

In fact, around 80% of garment workers globally are young women, often supporting families and communities.

These are skilled artisans, makers, and craftspeople whose work deserves dignity, safety, and fair pay. They’re the reason we believe fair trade fashion can change the world.

What “Who Made My Clothes” Really Means

When you ask “Who made my clothes?” you’re asking:

• Were they paid fairly?
• Did they work in safe conditions?
• Were they treated with respect?
• Can the brand trace its supply chain?

This is how we hold the brands we love accountable and protect people around the world.

Our answer at Passion Lilie:

We’ve built the Passion Lilie brand upon our core beliefs that fashion should never harm people or the planet. We’re proud to say we know exactly who’s making our clothes, and we think you should too. We’ve been working with our artisan partners in India for more than a decade. Each piece is made by skilled artisans who:

• Are paid fair wages
• Work in safe, healthy environments
• Use traditional techniques like hand block printing and weaving
• Help preserve generations of craftsmanship

Your Role in the Revolution

You don’t need to be a fashion expert or a sustainability influencer to get involved. Here are some fun and easy ways to join the Fashion Revolution movement:

Ask the question: Before you purchase something new, search the brand’s website to make sure their values align with yours. If they’re not forthcoming, reach out on Instagram or email to ask them who makes their clothes.

Shop with your values: Support brands (like us!) that are transparent, ethical, and sustainable.

Get involved on Instagram: Post your Passion Lilie outfit with #WhoMadeMyClothes or share one of our info posts. Encourage your network to think about who made their clothes and to make informed decisions about where they shop.

Host a swap: Invite friends over and trade clothes instead of buying new. We especially love this idea for parents with young children who are constantly growing out of barely used clothing. It’s eco-friendly and way more fun than shopping online!

Spread the word: Talk to your friends, coworkers, and family about how important it is to support the people who make our clothes. Every conversation matters! Your group chats can be a great resource for sharing new brands and shops to support as alternatives to fast fashion and big box stores.

Let’s make fashion better.

Fashion Revolution Week is a great reminder that we all have power. Every purchase, post, and question make a difference. When we demand transparency, we can help build a world where garment workers are respected, the environment is protected, and style doesn’t come at someone else’s expense.

We hope you’ll join us this Fashion Revolution Week and from now on as ethical fashion becomes more important than ever. As always, if you ever have questions about who makes Passion Lilie clothes or our production process, please reach out! We’d love to chat.

Shop with transparency in mind 

Explore our latest collection of fair trade, organic cotton clothing made by artisans we know and trust.

Happy Fashion Revolution Week!