Threading the Needle: The Connection between Clothing and Climate

Chicago Fair Trade (CFT)is thelargest fair trade coalition in the USA, comprised of a dedicated base of member businesses, educational institutions, congregations, non-profit organizations, and individual activists.CFT increases support for economic and environmental justice throughconsumer education,advocacy, and promotion oflocal fair trade businesses. CFT is proud to be a local and national leader in raising awareness about and building support for fair trade and its principles of environmental sustainability, ethical production methods, fair wages, and safe working conditions.​The Chicago area has a thriving fair trade economy,unmatched anywhere in the United States. We boastmore than fifty fair trade businesses, and our numbers are growing every day. By partnering with entrepreneurs, consumers, and activists, we canuse our buying power for goodand help this economy of empowerment continue to grow and thrive.

Chicago Fair Trade

Join us for this interactive event exploring how your clothing can help mitigate climate change and promote justice for workers worldwide!

Climate Action Museum

Did you know that what we wear has a huge impact on the planet and on the people who make our clothes? Join us for an inspiring evening at the Climate Action Museum to learn more about this critical issue and how you can be part of the global movement to build a better, fairer clothing industry.Co-hosted in collaboration with local non-profits <a href="https://chicagofairtrade.org/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Chicago Fair Trade</a> and <a href="https://www.empowermentcollective.org/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Empowerment Collective</a>, the event will feature delicious lite bites and drinks, interactive exhibits and games, music, live artistic performances, and short informative talks, with plenty of time to browse the museum and meet and mingle with other guests.Special guests will include Chicago broadcasting legend <a href="https://www.wbez.org/staff/313/jerome-mcdonnell" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Jerome McDonnell</a>, formerly of WBEZ’s Worldview, and global human rights advocate <a href="https://www.nasreensheikh.org/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Nasreen Sheikh</a>, a social entrepreneur and former garment worker. <a href="https://www.luckyplush.com/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Lucky Plush Productions </a>will also share an excerpt from Right Here, created by Melinda Jean Myers in collaboration with Lucky Plush ensemble members and composer/musician Lex Leto. Storyteller extraordinaire <a href="https://jillhowe.com/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Jill Howe</a> will serve as host and emcee. Don't miss this opportunity to be a part of an event that combines education, inspiration, and action to address one of the most pressing issues of our time. This event is part of Chicago Fair Fashion Week, a week-long celebration of Chicago's role in building a better, fairer fashion industry. Today, not only is the global clothing industry responsible for 8-10% of global carbon emissions, but 93% of brands don't pay their garment workers a living wage. As a designated Fair Trade City with the largest number of fair trade businesses in the US, Chicago is blazing a trail to provide all clothing-wearers with better options. Take part in Chicago Fair Fashion Week to learn more and create a more ethical and eco-friendly wardrobe!

Visitors at the Climate Action Museum. Photo credit: ©Alan Shortall 2023

Inside the Climate Action Museum. Photo credit: ©Alan Shortall 2023

Nasreen Sheikh with coworkers at her fair trade business, Local Women’s Handicrafts in Kathmandu, Nepal. Photo credit: Empowerment Collective

Enjoy a glass of delicious fair trade wine as you tour the museum. Photo credit: La Riojana Cooperative

Try your hand at weaving on a loom like this one! Photo credit: Chicago Fair Trade

L﻿ucky Plush Productions will be in the house

J﻿erome McDonnell of WBEZ fame will lead us in taking direct action to support a more just, more sustainable apparel industry

Enjoy some delicious dips and snacks!

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Threading the Needle: The Connection between Clothing and Climate

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Threading the Needle: The Connection between Clothing and Climate

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