Claudia Castanheira

“When I started my master’s in Discourse and Sustainability in 2019, I never imagined that fashion would become the primary focus of my work. During my master’s program, while studying the discourse of Brazilian agribusiness, I unexpectedly delved into the fashion industry through discovering the cruel reality of Brazil’s cotton sector, which ranks as the fourth-largest user of pesticides, and uncovering the terrible working conditions of the farmers involved. That’s when it hit me: the interconnectedness behind different systems. How could an industry like fashion, which sells beauty and self-confidence, be tied to the destruction of native forests and labor analogous of slavery? 

Ever since I was a teenager, I’ve consistently heard people suggesting that I follow a career in fashion. It’s true, I have a deep love for fashion— the ability to express myself and my identity through clothing truly fascinates me. However, despite this passion, I never saw myself working in the fashion industry, until I realized I could align my love for human and environmental rights with this sector. 

In 2021, I began to immerse myself in civil movements advocating for sustainable fashion. Currently, I am involved in the Fashion Revolution movement, both in Brazil and Belgium. My work, grounded in the intersection between the international fashion system and ecofeminism, focuses on creating educational programs and writing to different media to raise awareness and initiating conversations about the socio-environmental impacts of fashion. Additionally, I conduct research aimed at identifying pathways to a more just and sustainable supply chain within the fashion industry and I actively advocate for policies that prioritize fairness and responsibility within this sector. 

Today, I can see that sustainable fashion holds immense power. It can be a tool for social and environmental change, a pathway to international solidarity and a way to improve lives for fashion workers globally. It’s a transformative force that holds the key to transitioning towards a regenerative world, where social, environmental, and climate justice are not just aspirations but reality.”