Members of a community group gathered on East Broadway yesterday to protest the fashion industry’s effects on the environment and the exploitation of workers.

The event was organised by the community group Bermuda is Love as the final event of its “no new clothes” campaign.

Organisation chief executive Aaron Chrichlow said: “We asked the public to purchase no new clothing for the month of September but if they do, to make sure that they are sustainable or second-hand.”

Bloomberg recently revealed that the fashion industry is responsible for 10 per cent of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions and the British website Fashion United stated that they are also responsible for 20 per cent of global waste water.

“Doing anything to extend the life of clothing is ensuring that it stays out of the landfill and does not end up in Tynes Bay,” Mr Crichlow explained.

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“Many clothing companies endorse cheap labour and materials and many others exploit their workers and treat them very poorly,” he said.

As part of the campaign, Bermuda is Love also hosted a back-to-school clothing drive and an upcycling event.

Mr Crichlow said: “The upcycling event was all about remaking, rebranding and refashioning clothing.”

The organisation also has events planned for October, such as its monthly trash clean up, a blood drive and their community garden.

“Our whole organisation is about trying to change our points of identity and values and we do that by getting people involved as often as possible.”