Fair Textiles: Design context

How much do we know about where our clothes come from? Take a look at the labels in the clothes you're wearing today. Visiting all the countries mentioned would probably take you on a pretty impressive world tour!

Can you imagine what life is like for the people who make your T-shirts, jeans and underwear? The reality is often harsh. Many of the clothes we buy on the high street are made in sweatshops, where workers receive low wages, work in poor conditions and have no rights.

And how about the textiles your clothes are made from? If you are wearing anything made from cotton, the raw material is likely to have been sprayed with chemicals that pollute the environment and endanger the lives of animals and farm workers.

How can we make things better for people and the environment through the textile products we buy and design?

Design brief

Design and make a product (a bag, puppet or T-shirt) from textiles that do not harm people or the environment (sustainable textiles). For example you could use materials from organic or ethical sources, or with logos and designs that highlight ethical messages.

Keywords

Cotton, organic, manufacture, production, properties, care label, assemble, recycling, biodegradable, prototype.

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