Earlier this year, we took part in Fashion Revolution’s #whomademyclothes campaign, a movement calling for greater transparency, sustainability and ethics in the fashion industry. After introducing you to our artisans (you can read more about them here and here), we’ve decided to revisit one of our talented craftspeople, Rahul, and take a closer look at one of his hand-crafted masterpieces…
About the Artisan
Rahul, 22, told us that he learnt how to embroider from his family and that he’d love to make a dress for his wife someday. He likes to keep fit with regular exercise at the local gym, which he’s been able to pay for with his earnings from our closely-monitored subcontractors.
The Elsie Dress
Carefully embroidered by hand, our Elsie dress is patterned with a bouquet of roses, and detailed with small-scale blooms for a pretty finish. This midi silhouette falls just below the knees for a flattering fit, and features a semi-sheer mesh neckline to reveal a glimpse of skin – we like it best worn with red block heels to this season’s most special occasions.
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The Monsoon Accessorize Product Supply Chain
Here at Monsoon, we take responsibility for our product supply chain. We map subcontractor sites beyond our factories and keep a record of the artisans associated with them. Each worker is required to fill out reference forms with their details, as well as those of their family members. They’re asked to affix a passport-sized photo of him or herself onto the form, and submit a proof of identification.
We’ve also introduced worker handbooks where artisans can track the number of pieces they’ve worked on and, in turn, keep a record of their wages. Upon payment from the subcontractor, each artisan then signs these handbooks. This helps create transparency in the supply chain by letting us know who is making our clothes, and allowing us to make sure that everyone has been fully paid.