If you want to learn more about the crazy world of fast fashion, we have some documentaries to share. Here are my favourites and a brief summary about what I thought of them:
Buy Now (Netflix).
A journey through the psychology of selling. How big tech made it better, faster, completely integrated in everything we do and extremely abusive for our planet. I thought I knew a thing or two about marketing, having researched pharmaceutical companies for over a decade, but this one even made me shiver. Watch and quiver. We are very curious for your reactions. LINK
Collateral damage
The Dutch series ‘Prijsknallers’ (Cheap as Hell) is a documentary series that explore how ‘stuff’ can be so cheap today. They cover anything from fast fashion to farming. The answer to the ‘How?’ is always ‘By being abusive and with a lot of collateral damage.’ This is another insightful and rough documentary. The episode on fashion can be seen on ‘uitzending gemist’.
Sweatshops and worse
Not a documentary but a five-episode challenge called ‘Genaaid’. ‘Genaaid’ translates to ‘sewed’ which in Dutch has the same connotation as ‘screwed’ in English.
Five young fashionistas win a position in the Dutch Sustainable Fashion week. They have to create a 10 piece collection and will be mentored by Sjaak Hullekens and the presenter Jennifer Hoffman. BUT before they can really start to make a sustainable collection they are sent to Miramar to see and experience the reality of Fast Fashion. From picking cotton in the burning sun to tanning leather with dead animal parts in full sight. They work in sweatshops and get to feel the time pressure. Next to the horrifying reality of most people in the fashion industry they visit sustainable alternatives for all this as well. I like this series because it shows the raw reaction to the circumstances they encounter, their shock and true empathy. I appreciate the focus on collaboration; they must stay together to be allowed to present their collection. A lot to learn from this documentary as well. Shocking and heartwarming. LINK
Female force against Fast Fashion
Also interesting, Uit de kleren by the Dutch broadcasting VPRO. ‘Uit de kleren’ means to be undressed, without make-up or showing the bare truth. This documentary takes us on the remarkable journey of four women who are each in their own way trying to change the system from within. Annemieke Koster using technology. Caterina Occhio as an inside critic for luxury brands. Lara Wolters as a Member of the European Parliament and Sara Dubbeldam using advertising regulations. Not the only Documentary on this topic but a hopeful one.
85,000 K
Last but not least a very recent episode of RADAR. Radar is another Dutch consumer program that researches all sorts of societal issues. This time they tagged clothes that are collected by shops with the promise to be recycled (nothing will go to waste!). Tagging 12 items showed a dazzling number of transfers and mileage. Another proof of how much our fashion habits need reflection.
Anything you would like us to see or read? We'd be happy to hear about your recommendations!
