This week marks Fashion Revolution Week - a global movement born in response to the Rana Plaza disaster in 2013, when over 1,000 garment workers lost their lives. It’s a time to pause and ask, Who made my clothes? and more personally, How do I make?
At its heart, this week isn’t just about fashion—it’s about values. It’s about transparency, sustainability, and reconnecting with the hands and hearts behind what we wear and create. For makers like us, it's also a chance to honour the timeless principles of resourcefulness, longevity, and care that have long guided our craft.
A legacy of making do and making well
Long before I was born, William - my grandad - was forever making things. Thousands of things! He and Irene were newly married in the 1940s and money was tight. But rather than see that as a limitation, he saw it as an invitation to be creative.
One of the smaller things he made that has survived the decades is a “magic wallet” made from faux leather and elastic. I adored playing with it as a child. If you’ve never seen one before, they’re clever little things - you place a card or note inside, flip the wallet, and it magically tucks itself behind the elastic. It’s a brilliant example of how playful and practical handmade items can be.
If you fancy making your own there are lots of great tutorials on YouTube. They make thoughtful, nostalgic gifts, and are a great way to use up odd bits of faux leather, sturdy fabric, or elastic you might already have to hand. You can even make a basic version with a cereal box and some strips of elastic!
Craft as a quiet revolution
Fashion Revolution Week might shine a spotlight on fast fashion and mass production, but it also reminds us of the quiet power of choosing slower ways to create. Whether you’re mending something well-loved, repurposing fabric, or crafting something that lasts, every stitch is an act of care.
Here at William & Irene, our approach has always been grounded in this - buying less, making better, and treasuring what we have. It’s not a trend for us. It’s a mindset we inherited, one that feels more relevant than ever.
Join the movement
If you’re feeling inspired to honour this week in your own way, here are a few simple ideas:
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Mend a garment you’ve been meaning to fix
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Repurpose fabric scraps into something useful or beautiful
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Ask the brands you buy from #WhoMadeMyClothes
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Support small makers and independent designers
Or just start small - open your sewing box, run your fingers over a well-used tool, and remember that even the simplest handmade thing has meaning.
Let’s keep making thoughtfully - for ourselves, for each other, and for the generations to come.
Much love,
Leanne.