We love our fashion, watching the trends and splurging on new outfits for special occasions. Well even more often, actually! Spring is in the air and the season is changing. So, it is time to think about the next seasons colours, styles and fabrics. But COVID has not only changed our styling, but it has also had a huge impact on the fashion industry as a whole.

Vogue Magazine exposes the Impact COVID is having in Fashion.

Grace Forest has been an amazing advocate in the area of fighting modern slavery. She is especially working hard in the fight to end the exploitation of garment workers. She is co-founder and director of Walk Free, a global anti-slavery initiative, run by the Australian philanthropic outfit, called the Minderoo Foundation. We have been fortunate to have Grace as an Ambassador for the Freedom Hub. Grace was with us, encouraging us from the beginning. And she even cut the white ribbon at our opening.

We are in awe of her tireless efforts and work across the world. At only 27, Grace is the United Nations Association of Australia’s youngest appointed Goodwill Ambassador, and one of 10 global leaders in One Young World’s Young Leaders Against Sexual Violence initiative. Therefore it can be quite exhausting just reading about all the good things she does. But we are very grateful she uses her influence and passion to drive change in the world.

In this Vogue article, Grace highlights the key risks that she is most concerned about. The vulnerable workers in the fashion and garment industry are facing as a direct result of the Covid-19 pandemic.

“These circumstances leave garment workers increasingly vulnerable to human trafficking, forced labour and other forms of modern slavery. Workers should not be left with a choice between starvation or slavery.” says Grace.

She speaks about the impact of companies like Primark cancelling orders, the specific risk to women in the industry and the disruption to supply chains.

We need consumers, brands, and the media, to prioritise the people who make our clothes. What we wear shouldn’t cost anyone their basic human rights. Together we can build a fairer more resilient fashion industry.”

Read the full story here. Grace Forrest photographed by Ben Horgan.

The Freedom Hub fighting Modern Slavery with Ethical Business

Every since we opened our cafe doors we have done all we can to select suppliers who will work with us to fight modern slavery in supply chains. We have a cafe in Waterloo Sydney and a cafe in Palm Beach on the Gold Coast, We have coffee that helps rescue and rehabilitate child soldiers in its country of origin and all profits from both our cafes support victims of slavery here in Australia.

As an organisation we train and equip other businesses in how to work toward ending slavery in their supply chains.

If you would like to stay up to date with what we and others like Grace are doing, discover your inner advocate by reading our monthly update. Find out more about our tribe here.

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