Until I was 20, I rarely stopped to question the origin of our clothes. I always thought everything was automated and that our clothes were made by machines. It was only when I became more interested in fashion that I realized that these clothes were made by people like you and me that I understood all that was involved in the process.
Since I was very young, I wondered about the world around me. My parents always laughed at my propensity to say “it’s not fair” when I noticed an inequality. My sister had more candies: “It’s not fair”. I saw homeless people in the street: “It’s not fair”. I was told the story of slavery: “It’s not fair”. So when I learned that people in other countries stitched up to 200 garments a day, but that their one-month salary did not allow them to buy one: “It’s not fair!” .
The documentary The True Cost was for me a confirmation of the social injustice that fast fashion inflicts on our fellow man. So here I present you 8 reasons to listen to this documentary, because in my opinion, everyone should listen to it at least once! * CAUTION * This article could include some spoilers!
1- It is a good way to quickly learn about the reality of clothing production.
This documentary discusses many important themes of anti-fast fashion activism: the problem of over-consumption, the working conditions of workers in different textile exporting countries, pollution by chemicals, both during the production of the raw material that in the dyeing and the treatment of clothing, the health problems related to these chemicals, the reasons why governments do not bother, the eco-laundering, the reasons why giving our surplus to charity is not the right solution, etc.
2- The documentary doesn’t focus on the negative.
Although the state of the situation is alarming, the documentary offers some solutions for people who will be convinced they need to change the way they consume fashion. “You don’t have to buy into it” is an extremely telling quote from Stella McCartney during the documentary. This is for me the most effective way we, as consumers, can make a difference. If we do not buy the products of companies whose values and production methods do not please us, it will absolutely have to review its values or it will have to stop producing. The documentary supports this argument through interviews with prominent activists and economists.
3- Several alternative companies are presented during the documentary.
The True Cost does not just show images of production plants and dumps. It also introduces people working to change the way we consume fashion and their companies. That’s how I knew People Tree and Patagonia. These companies have since become leaders in sustainable fashion production. Other organizations such as Eco-Age and Redress are also presented.
4- This will give you arguments when you talk about ethical fashion to your friends!
I used to have a hard time trying to convince some people that fast fashion is bad. I am often told that “anyway, textile workers do not have other alternatives, at least they are given work”. This has always been a bit of a stumper because it is relatively true. However, the documentary shows that even if the people who work in the textile industry want these jobs, they are still asking for better work conditions. It is our responsibility, as consumers, to make sure that the people creating what we are wearing are paid a reasonable wage and don’t risk their life while doing so.
5- It’s inspiring to see that other people have the same fight at heart.
I think that one of the big roadblock to any activism or action towards a better way of living, is that we think that we are not going to change anything by ourselves. On the other hand, when you watch a documentary of such magnitude, it is obvious that you are not the only one who wants to learn about it. Although the documentary was released in 2015, several organizations are still organizing screenings around the world. The documentary is subtitled in 5 languages on Netflix (including French), and is available on the website in 19 languages. This shows that it is accessible to many, many people who will also want to make a difference.
6- The documentary talks about social as well as environmental aspects.
The Gaia Principle is the idea that every living being must protect its environment in order to maintain the conditions necessary for its survival. This is exactly what the film supports (perhaps without knowing it). By addressing environmentally sensitive topics, it also demonstrates how the preservation of this environment is necessary for the well-being of humans within it. This film is therefore suitable for both humanists and environmentalists!
7- Instead of binge watching, why not spend your time learning something?
More and more people are guilty of binge watching, so why not take a break from our shows for an hour and a half and find out about a growing problem for our society? Sit back, relax, and get carried away all around the world by this documentary. You will come out of it and ready to face your next big challenge: to be fashion conscious in a responsible way.
8- Now that you know this documentary exists, it would be a little hypocritical to decide not to look at it and remain ignorant about it!
For more information, visit the official website of the documentary!
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