2021 Fashion Revolution: Rights, Relationships, Revolution

Join us for amazing speakers and a fashion show promoting fair trade, sustainability, and human dignity!

Fashion Revolution Week occurs every year in remembrance of the Rana factory collapse in Bangladesh that killed 1,134 people due to gross negligence of safe working conditions. As in years past, DePaul University departments and student organizations will partner to host a dynamic afternoon program centered on the question: how can we support ethical and sustainable practices in our apparel choices?

Fashion Revolution 2021 Line-up

Keynote Speaker

Ngozi Okaro, Executive Director of Custom Collaborative

Keynote speaker, Ngozi Okaro is an advocate for socioeconomic justice. She understands the challenges facing women who want nice clothes but whose bodies do not conform to ready-to-wear’s template — the majority of US clothing buyers. Ngozi aims to bridge gaps between constituencies: fashion-industry workers who want fair compensation, thoughtful consumers who want quality clothes, and the natural environment. Learn more: customcollaborative.org

Fashion Showcase

Organized annually by Chicago Fair Trade and the DePaul Fair Trade chapter, expect the same excitement of our past fashion shows featuring local, ethical fashion brands! Not only will you see these designs on fellow DePaul students, you’ll learn about the people who make the clothes, the fair trade companies that sell them, and where you can buy them! We will also show our fashion contest reel and announce the winner!

A Conversation on Faith and Fashion

Rahel Mwitula Williams and Lizzy Case will lead a discussion on the intersection of faith and fashion.

Rahel Mwitula Willams

DePaul alum, Rahel Mwitula Williams is the founder and lead designer of ILAVA. As a social entrepreneur, Rahel believes that women-led businesses are key in enhancing both women’s and overall community development. She aims to incorporate her Tanzanian culture into fashion and give back to her native country every chance she gets. While popular culture may see African attire as a trend, Rahel sees it as a lifestyle. Learn more: myilava.com

Lizzy Case

Lizzy Case believes being clothed in righteousness is a physical act as well as a spiritual mindset. Her company Arrayed is based on the belief that righteousness is about embodying right relationships with the divine, the earth, and other people. In her presentation, she’ll explore how through textiles, clothing production, and disposal, our clothing deeply connects us to one another. Learn more: arrayed.co

Event Sponsors & Partners

Center for World Catholicism and Intercultural Theology | Division of Mission & Ministry | Catholic Campus Ministry | Department of Environmental Science | Chicago Fair Trade | DePaul Fair Trade Committee