Don't Sweat This Fashion 

Emily Abbate

Issue date: 4/12/07 Section: Focus

Your right hand is cramping from stitching the inseam of the 13th pair of pants to cross your small workstation in an hour. The sun streaks through the mud stained window pane as the sweat drips down your ear; you tuck the strand of hair grazing your cheek behind your ear - but even this causing you more pain and instills frustration in your veins. Imagine doing this for another 14 hours. Fourteen more hours of labor-intensive, grueling effort for meager wages, with droopy eyelids that scream, "I just finished a 15-hour work day." 

According to the Web site globalexchange.org, "each year state and local governments spend more than $400 billion on various goods and services. Colleges and universities shell out another $300 billion. Purchasing by these institutions represents a sizeable chunk of the U.S. economy, helping to keep businesses running and jobs in place." 

Now, members of the UConn community are taking a stand against globalization and consumerism with the "No Sweat Fashion Show," an evening of "socially conscious fashion." The event is Thursday from 7 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. at the Hillel and will highlight labor rights and their impact on the local, state and national community alike. Additionally, the event will focus on several companies that "uphold strong worker ethics," according to the press release. 

The fashion show is just one of many events that have been happening in accordance with the Human Rights Awareness Festival this week. 

Catherine Dagon, an 8th-semester English major and human rights minor, got involved with the "No Sweat Fashion Show," through both her involvement in an internship program and Idealists United.  

"We wanted to have a fun and social event to show students that consumerism can make a difference in the world," says Dagon. "If you purchase items that are not made in sweatshops normally and through functions such as this, then you are taking money away from those industries and hopefully - sending a message to the companies who utilize poor methods."  

Dagon also discusses the UConn Co-op, which sell items that are a product of sweatshop labor - however the fashion show will be highlighting a new line that is sweatshop free. 

"Hopefully students will be able to distinguish between the two, and start buying sweatshop free products, knowing the difference." 

Admission to the show is free, however tickets may be purchased for a chance to win each donated item. Tickets are $2 each, or at a discounted rate of three tickets for $5. Additionally, coupons and catalogues will be available for each company on display.