State of Fashion assembly
The Clothes Party is a fictional political party that places fashion on the agenda as a public and political issue. On May 29, the party stages a council meeting during the State of Fashion biennale in the council chamber of the Municipality of Arnhem. During this meeting, a number of motions are submitted that have been drafted in collaboration with prominent pioneers in the fashion and textile sector. Motions are currently being drafted with them based on (among other things) the following principles.
- Ban on fast fashion advertising in public spaces and affordable access to outdoor advertising for circular entrepreneurs and social initiatives.
- Stricter conditions for the establishment and operation of (new) fast fashion businesses in the municipality, including requirements regarding the lifespan and repairability of clothing.
- A fund for circular fashion and textile entrepreneurs and social initiatives.
- An incentive program in secondary education, enabling students to learn basic skills in making, repairing, and understanding clothing.
- A shift in clothing culture among council members and civil servants, promoting repair, reuse, and awareness of materials – the municipality itself leads by example!
The council meeting takes an hour and proceeds entirely according to protocol. That is to say: De Klerenpartij is given the opportunity to submit the motions, then there is time for the council to ask questions, subsequently members of the public (who have registered in advance) can address the council, and finally the motions are put to a vote.