107. The Curious Case of Leicester Part 5: Can We Regulate Fashion Without Causing Harm?

Jennifer Wascak, co-founder of Justice In Fashion, joins co-hosts Kim van der Weerd and Dr. Divya Jyoti to wrap up our deep dive into the Leicester conundrum.

Throughout our discussion, we focus on the recurring theme of inequity within the value chain. We explore the role of inequity, questioning whether it stems from the business model, the unique context of Leicester, or perhaps from the very rules intended to govern the industry. We also discuss whether our attention on what rules permit or prohibit is misguided, and if we should instead be examining the process by which these rules are created in the first place.

Note: In the episode, Kim argues that traceability is not a data issue but a matter of willingness to share information. She emphasises that every commercial actor knows their suppliers and customers. Kim would like to acknowledge that a conversation with Crispin Argento was critical to articulating this perspective.

This episode is part of "The Curious Case of Leicester" mini-series. While legislation is often seen as the solution to fashion’s sustainability issues, Leicester’s apparel industry presents a paradox: despite being in a developed country, in a city acclaimed for its strong governance, labour rights abuses have persisted. This series explores how such abuses continue and what this means for using legislation as a tool to address fashion's sustainability challenges globally.

**Share your musings, ramblings, or questions on this episode - whether fully formed or half baked by leaving Kim a voice memo or posting to our Curious Case of Leicester Community Wall - where you can also swap notes with fellow listeners.

Also, join us for live virtual conversation on 3 October at 4PM CET to debrief and compare notes on these episodes. Spots are limited, and are available on a first-come first-serve basis. Register here.**

The Curious Case of Leicester has been supported by Lancaster University Management School and the Pentland Centre for Sustainability in Business at Lancaster University, working in partnership with Justice In Fashion CIC, a UK-based not-for-profit that works to address imbalances of power and resources across the fashion industry supply chain.

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