Everything we wear has a story woven into it. What story do your clothes tell?

This short animation was commissioned by Glasgow Caledonian University to highlight the human cost of fast fashion in the UK. We follow Haina, a newly arrived migrant in Leicester, as she is drawn into and exploited by the fashion industry.

Haina’s story was informed by interviews by GCU researcher Erica Charles. Her tale also draws on the activism of organisations like Labour Behind the Label and Justice in Fashion.

Telling Haina’s story in a brisk 3 minutes was challenging. We needed to show the reality of her situation: the cramped living conditions, the dingy factory, and the harsh truth that there isn’t always a happy ending. Using a limited colour palette, we were able to emphasise the dreariness of the factory and keep Haina, with her bright yellow hijab, front and centre.

The film will be shown in universities and schools to kickstart conversations about clothes and consumption.