Beyond the Label: A Documentary

Want to be part of creating a more sustainable fashion industry? This crowdfunding campaign needs your help! Photographer Claudio Montesano Casillas’ documentary Beyond the Label aims to educate and inspire, providing solutions for both consumers and brands that will contribute to real social and environmental change.

Having been based in Cambodia and Bangladesh for the past few years, Claudio has seen the sobering reality of the garment industry firsthand. He became increasingly concerned about the exploitation of workers, the environmental damage and the lack of progress, and felt compelled to make a film that would inspire people to imagine a better future. Currently in the research phase, Beyond the Label will demystify the industry, give a voice to the people who make our clothes, explore the importance of social responsibility and environmental impact, and empower the audience by providing innovative suggestions for both consumers and apparel companies alike.

As Claudio explains: “We want to inspire and be inspired. It seems to us that one of the reasons why change is taking so long is that there is no ready-made or one-fits-all solution. There is, however, a wide array of encouraging initiatives promoted by daring new players and people of goodwill – from innovative traceability technologies to chemical-free compostable clothes to plant-based textiles that absorb CO2 or generate more energy than their manufacturing process requires. We want to explore this existing network, connect the different dots together and rethink the whole industry to bring out a new model.”

He believes that by acting together we can make a difference.“We are close to eight billion humans. That’s eight billion brains, eight billion imaginations. Together, we have tremendous power for change.”

To support the Beyond the Label Kickstarter campaign or to find out more, click here.

Image: Claudio Montesano Casillas.

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Between 2000 to 2015, global clothing production doubled... while the duration of garment use decreased by 36%.⁠
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We are throwing away clothing at a faster rate than ever before. How can we tackle this problem?⁠
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✨️ WEAR⁠
Be an outfit repeater - wear your items of clothing as long as possible. Learn to style your garments in various ways. Loved clothing lasts.⁠
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✨️ SHARE⁠
If you really need to move it along, share the love with friends - hold a clothing exchange night! Or organise a timeshare with a friend where you swap a few favourite pieces of fashion. If you really can't find a new home for it, then donate to an op shop or charity.⁠
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✨️ CARE⁠
The care of your clothing – washing, drying and ironing – can account for approx 30% of a garment's total carbon footprint. Hand wash, line dry, wash in cold water, and only wash when necessary.⁠
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✨️ REPAIR⁠
Mending – and making – slows down fast fashion buying habits. Repairing used to be common practice, until disposable fashion took over. Extending the life of clothing by just nine months can reduce carbon, water, and waste footprints by 20–30%. Fixing doesn't need to just be utilitarian – get creative with visible mending!⁠
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*Fact from The United Nations Environment Programme⁠
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#PeppermintMagazine #WearShareCareRepair #SustainableFashion⁠
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This pattern was made with the support of the lovely folk at @WeftAndWarpFabrics 🫶🏼 The team at Weft and Warp graciously sent three sewists the fabric of their choice to whip up their own Acacia A-Line – the results are super sweet!⁠
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Head to our website to see the makes from @The.Sewcialite @HandmadeByCarolyn and @You_CanSew - link in bio!⁠
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#PeppermintAcaciaAlineSkirt #PeppermintPatterns #WeftAndWarpFabrics #MeMade
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Pattern: #PeppermintTanseyTop 
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MODELS/SEWISTS: @Melt.Stitches, @KatieMakesADress @Tricky.Pockets⁠ @Laura_The_Maker 
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Head to the link in bio for the #PeppermintWaratahWrapDress 🪡⁠
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