Action methods
Guerrilla Repair
These actions offer a comradely space for creativity and artistry whilst developing important life skills like mending garments. It is a central value of Fashion Action that as a society we need to alter our relationship with the clothes we own, by learning to nurture and love them more so that we don’t treat them as merely dispensable commodities. The Guerrilla Repair workshops also take place at sites of fashion consumption like shopping malls and high, to offer a direct alternative to such exploitative practices. You can download a handy guide on how to mend created by one of our talented rebels here.
Skillshares
Similar to our Guerrilla Repair workshops, these events create space for creation, bonding and most importantly offering regenerative alternatives to fast fashion. During these events skills like crocheting, knitting and mending are shared. Sometimes we also mix these with other forms of art such as music or poetry. See our calendar for the next skillshare event.
clothes swap
We organize clothing swaps in order to offer an alternative to buying clothes. During these events everyone is welcome to bring their clothes they no longer wear in order to swap them for a 'new' set of clothing. In this way we use the clothing we already have so they won't end up in landfill. Of course, you are also welcome to come and take clothes if you don't have something to put in yourself. See our calendar for the next swap.
Fashion shows & performances
Following a series of mini-fashion show actions, we held our biggest during Black Friday Rebellion on 29th November 2019. Two key public sites of mass consumerism were occupied: Hoog Catharijne Mall (Utrecht) and then Dam Square (Amsterdam) by the sustainable fashion shows. The public were shown through powerful performance, impassioned speeches and informative flyers how the fashion industry, exemplified by the likes of Black Friday, is eroding human and ecological rights. A more recent example is the Trashion Dress that we showed during Black Friday in 2022 at the Dam.
#Boycottfashion
We support XR Boycott Fashion’s campaign to encourage people to stop buying fast fashion products and commit to boycotting it for 52 weeks. This is because of the toxicity of the fast fashion industry, polluting the earth and exploiting its people. We also recognise, however, that this campaign needs to advocate for a just transition for workers throughout the supply chain, and they must be protected during the decline of big brands as a result of lesser consumer demand. Pushing people into destitution through unemployment is not something we stand by. So while we #boycottfashion, we equally keep workers in mind.
Solidarity Actions
Some of our actions are explicitly in solidarity with another action, movement or group. This type of action often overlaps with other action forms. An example is the Justice for Jeyasre action when Fashion Action joined in on an international call for solidarity actions to bring awareness about the horrific murder of Jeyasre, a young garment worker. Another example is a series of Uyghur solidarity actions in 2020 together with a.o. the Dutch Uyghur Human Rights Foundation and Uyghur individuals.
Direct action
A direct action is an action that's disruptive and often comes with a higher legal risk -but there are many low-risk roles that are essential to make a direct action happen. It can take a lot of forms, such as a blockade, an occupation or gluing yourself to something. It's a form of protest that puts a lot of pressure on your target and can potentially also reach a broad public. See our photo's for examples of direct actions.
Here's a sampling of the work we do
#Alonetogether
We are currently taking part in XR’s #Alonetogether campaign during the COVID-19 crisis. Through social media or email, we are asking people to share with us what they are up to whilst in self-isolation so we can feel closer. As well as crafting and mending clothes, we want to see gardening, cooking, reading, dancing, and any other on or offline project you have been engaging with during this time! We would also like people to reflect on how disconnecting with the online world feels, in a nod to our regenerative culture which grounds us in the present moment and with our natural world.
Guerrilla Repair
These monthly actions offer a comradely space for creativity and artistry whilst developing important life skills like mending garments. It is a central value of XRFA that as a society we need to alter our relationship with the clothes we own, by learning to nurture and love them more so that we don’t treat them as merely dispensable commodities. The Guerrilla Repair workshops also take place at sites of fashion consumption like shopping malls, to offer a direct alternative to such exploitative practices. You can download a handy guide on how to mend created by one of our talented rebels here.
Knitting Club
Similar to our Guerrilla Repair workshops, these crafting circles create space for creation, bonding and most importantly offering sustainable solutions to fast fashion. In the current climate, we will be moving these events online to ensure people can still participate whilst in self-isolation.
Fashion Shows
Following a series of mini-fashion show actions, we held our biggest during Black Friday Rebellion on 29th November 2019. Two key public sites of mass consumerism were occupied: Hoog Catharijne Mall (Utrecht) and then Dam Square (Amsterdam) by the sustainable fashion shows. The public were shown through powerful performance, impassioned speeches and informative flyers how the fast fashion industry, exemplified by the likes of Black Friday, is eroding human and ecological rights. The day concluded in an invigorating celebration as masses of people joined to dance at The Dam, chanting for an end to the climate crisis! We are planning to have another Fashion Show when the COVID-19 crisis ceases, so please get in touch if you would like to be involved!
#Boycottfashion
We support XR Boycott Fashion’s campaign to encourage people to stop buying fast fashion products and commit to boycotting it for 52 weeks. This is because of the toxicity of the fast fashion industry, polluting the earth and exploiting its people. We also recognise, however, that this campaign needs to advocate for a just transition for workers throughout the supply chain, and they must be protected during the decline of big brands as a result of lesser consumer demand. Pushing people into destitution through unemployment is not something we stand by. So while we #boycottfashion, we equally keep workers in mind.