In an effort to fight labor trafficking by celebrating what we can all do as informed consumers, Live2Free—Vanguard University’s (VU) anti-human trafficking student club—will host its 8^th annual Fair Trade Fashion Show on the Costa Mesa campus on Thursday, October 19, 2023, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. 

This year, the theme is Wear Your Values. 

The show will emphasize the role consumers can make through everyday purchases and choices to live lives of authenticity that reflect their values of freedom, environmental stewardship, and human dignity. 

 “We know the fashion industry is one of the biggest culprits of exploitive and slave labor use around the globe. Yet it’s tempting to put that knowledge aside when searching for a new outfit to express our style,” said adjunct professor and coach to Live2Free, Ruthi Hanchett. “We are asking students to think about expressing their values through the choices they make, to ensure what they wear aligns with what they value.” 

“Why contribute to fast fashion when thrifting exists?” asks the student president of Live2Free, Melanie Bracamontes. “Recycling pieces with character allows us to express ourselves and our values. Wearing one-of-a-kind pieces and not contributing to brands that we know exploit their workers.”  

 One way consumers can make a difference is through purchasing fair trade products and buying from corporations and brands that are more transparent and dedicated to eliminating slave labor in their chain supplies. Additionally, thrifting and ‘upcycling’ is a growing trend that slows the demand for fast fashion and gives clothing a longer life. 

At this free and open-to-the-public event, students and community members will be exposed to local vendors with fair trade and ethical fashion at the heart of their companies. Highlights include Basket and Beads, a fair trade clothing store with traditional designs from Kenya, Elisha C’s products, made in Haiti to support artisans and lift communities out of poverty, and Purpose Jewelry, which supports survivors of human trafficking in India, Uganda, and the Philippines, with practical life skills.  Goodwill Industries will provide free outfits for student models curated and styled by Goodwill influencers. Soroptimist will support the event by providing “shopping scholarships” for student models, hair and makeup artists, and other volunteers to purchase their ethical outfits.