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The ghosts of our clothes: time for an ethical Fashion Revolution

Haiku by ethical brands for fashion revolution

“the clothes you wear have ghosts on them, the histories of those who made them”

4649.REC has been discussing the way the clothes we own carry the stories of those who have worn them before us. However, we cannot overlook just how much those who make our clothing contribute to their stories, as well. 

In remembrance of the collapse of the Rana Plaza building hosting several garment factories in Bangladesh 8 years ago today (24th April 2013), 4649.REC has shared yet another of our team member Christina’s beautiful haikus*. We want to pay tribute to the 1,134 people lost during this tragedy and bring attention to the workers in the fast fashion industry, who often suffer exploitative conditions to keep clothing prices low. 

What is Fashion Revolution?

The Rana Plaza building collapse is the fourth largest industrial disaster in history. Fashion Revolution was founded in the wake of this tragedy and launched the #WhoMadeMyClothes movement, urging the fashion industry to respect human rights and increase transparency throughout the production chain. According to the Ellen MacArthur Foundation 300 million people work in the clothing industry, a vast majority of them being women. The vast majority live in poverty and do not have the freedom to negotiate their working conditions. In fact, in 2018, the Global Slavery Index reported that the garment industry is the second sector driving modern slavery.

In the context of COVID-19, garment worker’s rights and transparency are a particularly salient issue. Research by the Traidcraft Exchange highlighted how most of the countries where garments are being produced do not have the economic resources necessary to support the large number of unemployed workers, leaving many food insecure. Indeed, in last year in March an estimated $1.44 Billion US dollars worth of payments were cancelled or withheld in Bangladesh alone. In the midst of a pandemic, this means the healthcare infrastructure will also struggle to care for the sick.

On this day, in accordance with the values of Fashion Revolution, we wish to amplify the voices of garment workers which are too often overlooked. You can hear more about the stories of garment workers or by following the #IMadeYourClothes movement. 

What can you do to help?

Here, at 4649.REC, we value harmony, respect and sincerity and believe it is time for an ethical fashion revolution. Read and sign the Fashion Revolution manifesto here.

Fashion should be a celebration of people, of cultural diversity and of life. If you, too, want bring about a fashion industry which values people and the planet above profits, learn more about how you can get involved. 

Let’s make ethical and sustainable choices when filling our wardrobe as our favorite stores re-open and let us know what you consider to make a fashion brand ethical? Share your thoughts with us and let’s start our conversation.

* “A writer with a tendency to look at human fallibility and the emotions that haunt us, Christina Sophie Tring is a poet and prose writer that is focusing on multiple projects this year to build her catalogue of work” 

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How to: DIY Fabric Face Mask

The pandemic has caused a surge in personal protective equipment (PPE) which has been catastrophic for the environment. 51% of people in the UK use single-use blue surgical face masks. This means every month, 1.6 billion face masks are sent to UK landfills. 

In March 2020, Yoroshiku brand launched DIY Face Mask Kit with all upcycled materials from our London studio to give people everything they need to create their own face mask. Through a series of online workshops in partnership with Lone Design Club, we guided people through the process of stitching a face mask.

Now, in order to reduce ‘new’ waste of face masks, we have released a free DIY reusable fabric face mask pattern – just in time for Fashion Revolution Week 2021. 

How to make your own face mask

First, download your free DIY fabric face mask pattern here now. This PDF pattern will help you make your own 4-fold face cover. Simply print it out on A4 paper, grab some materials laying around in your house and get creative.

You can look at 4649.REC’s upcycled face mask collection for inspiration. Once you know how to make these quickly, easily and personalized, you’ll want to make some as gifts for your friends and family. Spread the love by sharing this pattern with your family and friends. Looking for an opportunity to catch up with them? You could organise a cozy afternoon of crafting together online. If you want to take a walk down memory lane, you could ask your loved ones for some of their old garments, which you could upcycle while they tell you about the stories they associate with them.

  • Upcycled Face Mask - "Green Geisha (Mirror)"
  • Upcycled Face Mask - "Black Scripture"
  • Upcycled Face Mask - "Black Monk"
  • Upcycled Face Mask - "Red Autumn"
  • Upcycled Face Mask - "Tribal Rhythm"

If you want more help with the process, watch the following tutorial for step by step instructions on how to make your own reusable face mask. When you will be done creating your mask, don’t forget to tag @4649.REC on Instagram and use the hashtag #myupcycledmask to share your project and join the movement to protect yourself, others and the planet.

Before you go out and get back to “normal” life, make your own mask and join the movement to protect the planet one mask at a time. Follow us on Instagram now to stay updated.

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Haikus for Mother’s Day

the tenderness of
spring; unfolding, forgiving
I watch this in you

Haiku is a form of Japanese poetry that consists of brief, non-rhyming lines that elicit natural imagery. Haiku can be written in a number of short verse styles, the most popular of which is a three-line poem with a 5-7-5 syllable sequence. Traditionally, haiku poetry discusses nature themes and imagery describing a particular season or changes in the natural world throughout the year. 

Some key terminology:

  • On (“sounds”): Japanese haikus contain 17 on. 
  • Kigo (a word or phrase that places the haiku in a particular season): for instance, Sakura (“cherry blossoms”) for spring, fuji (“wisteria”) for summer, tsuki (“moon”) for autumn, and samushi (“cold”) for winter.
  • Kireji (the “cutting word”): traditionally, kireji inserts a pause or a break in the poem’s flow, usually to contrast two images.

What are the origins of haiku?

The history of the haiku can be traced back to the 13th century. Originally called “hokku”, haikus were an opening stanza for a larger Japanese poem called rengu, written collaboratively. In the 16th century, poets began writing hokku without the rengu. Matsuo Bashō (1644-94)created haikai, a more relaxed form of rengu, In the 19th century, with the help of Masaoka Shiki (1867-1902), it became known as haiku and recognized as its own form of poetry. 

The history of the haiku can be traced back to the 13th century. Originally called “hokku”, haikus were an opening stanza for a larger Japanese poem called rengu, written collaboratively. In the 16th century, poets began writing hokku without the rengu. Matsuo Bashō (1644-94) created haikai, a more relaxed form of rengu, In the 19th century, with the help of Masaoka Shiki (1867-1902), it became known as haiku and recognized as its own form of poetry. 

Simultaneously, the haiku started to spread to France and to the Netherlands, and then to North America. American Beat poets of the 1950s were profoundly influenced by Eastern philosophy and haiku, as R.H. Blyth’s 1951 book Haiku demonstrates. 

Why are we sharing haikus?

Haikus are a world-renown art form of Japan. In our attempt to empower people from all cultural backgrounds and encourage them to reconnect with their heritage and family history, we are celebrating diversity as well as Mother’s Day. 

Lovingly crafted by our team member Christina Sophie Tring *, our haikus celebrate mothers and the special bond we develop with them throughout our lives. For our founder/designer Yumi, cutting up her mother’s vintage kimonos, which are attached to personal memories turned out to be a form of empowerment, which allowed her to engage in meaningful conversations and strengthen family ties. 4649.REC is not just a sustainable upcycling street wear collection, it attempts to spark that special feeling within people and share it with the world through its clothing pieces and accessories and through workshops, where you too, can learn to upcycle your clothes.

What other aspects of Japanese culture would you like to be celebrated by us? What forms of art from your culture do you feel an attachment to? Connect with us and let’s start our conversation. 

* “A writer with a tendency to look at human fallibility and the emotions that haunt us, Christina Sophie Tring is a poet and prose writer that is focusing on multiple projects this year to build her catalogue of work” 

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Upcycling to REConnect with your roots

4649.REC is a brand born during lockdown in founder/designer Yumi’s studio in London. During this time of isolation, she began disassembling vintage family kimonos sent from Japan by her mother. 

In modern Japan, kimonos are not everyday garments. Worn only on special occasions, the creation of these pieces of exceptional quality require both time and skill. Thus, they are passed down for generations and take on an emotional and cultural significance. Cutting up these pieces filled with personal memories initially seemed a daunting task, but for Yumi it soon turned out to be a source of empowerment. She found herself cultivating new conversations and strengthening her family relationships, which led her to a deeper connection with her cultural heritage.

Yoroshiku 4649 is a playful Japanese streetwear brand started by Yumi in 2011, mixing elements of hip and hop and Japanese pop culture. 4649.REC, however, uses her family kimonos as the inspiration for streetwear pieces and modern attires.

Photo credit: @ktwphotographer⁠ / Models: @idmbis_⁠ @marvellousai

The Yoroshiku brand is always at the intersection of hip hop culture and Japanese culture, both traditional and modern, a reflection of Yumi’s upbringing. Her mother was a hip hop dancer, whose wardrobes were filled with streetwear imported from overseas. Yumi sees her work as a tribute to her love of hip hop music: in the same way hip hop samples classic beats and reinvents them over and over, 4649.REC intends to repurpose pre-loved fabrics and reinvent them to make people fall in love with them again and again. 

Yumi’s mother influenced this collection beyond simply being a style inspiration; she provided the meaning, the story behind every piece. Sharing the design process with her mother over Zoom calls, usually prompted her mother to tell the emotional stories she associates with each kimono. Hearing these stories not only strengthened their bond, it gave Yumi a new sense of connection to her family and to her culture, an emotional fulfillment which she wants to share with others. Each piece is an invitation to become a part of the story of these kimonos. Furthermore, we want to go further by creating workshops which would allow others to reconnect with their wardrobe, family and inner self.

We believe upcycling and the slow fashion movement begin from within you. Sustainability must be understood not solely as regenerating and protecting ecosystems, but also regenerating the energy within each of us, what the Japanese call ‘Ki(気)’. 4649.REC’s #UpcyclingKi workshops intend to do just that: teach you not just to upcycle your clothes, but to upcycle your energy. These workshops allow you not simply to connect with others, but also to reconnect with your roots and, ultimately, to reconnect with yourself.

Read the article featured on W&B magazine about the process of upcycling her mother’s kimonos here.