Feminism and what it means today has become part of the public discussion with designers such as Karl Lagerfeld picking up on the subject and actresses like Emma Watson unveiling their brand of feminism. Singer Miley Cyrus has even joined the conversation. Recently, Elle UK has gotten behind the new feminism wave with the use of a £45 This is what a feminist looks like t-shirt, created in collaboration with the Fawcett Society. Male celebrities have been more than happy to join the campaign and wear the t-shirt, including the likes of Benedict Cumberbatch and Tom Hiddleston.
However, the Daily Mail reports that the t-shirts, which were originally supposed to be produced in the United Kingdom are in fact made in Mauritius sweatshops, where women are paid 62p an hour or £120 a month. BBC reports that Fawcett Society deputy CEO Eva Neitzert explains, “Upon receiving samples of the range at our offices in early October we noted that the T-shirts had in fact been produced in Mauritius, upon which we queried (over email) the ethical credentials of the Mauritian factory, and the fabric used.” Whistles, the brand charged with producing the t-shirts responded that they were produced ethically but with the accusations by the Daily Mail, an investigation is undoubtedly underway.
