The Hidden Human Cost Behind Clothing

Behind every garment lies a story of labor that is too often invisible, undervalued, and bound up in systemic injustice. This event brings together leading voices who will confront the harsh realities of what is frequently referred to as “modern slavery” in today’s global fashion supply chains. Together, they will explore how exploitation persists, why worker voices remain excluded from decision-making, and what systemic change is required at both corporate and policy levels.

Trigger Warning: This event will explore heavy themes related to the lived experiences of survivors of modern slavery.

Speakers:

• Nasreen Sheikh is the Founder of Empowerment Collective and a survivor of modern slavery.

• Dr. Sanchita Banerjee Saxena is a social scientist who works at the intersection of social sciences, business, and human rights. She is a Faculty Fellow at the Institute for Research on Labor and Employment (IRLE) at UC Berkeley.

Moderator:

• Michelle Gabriel, Lecturer at Yale University, is an educator, researcher, and strategist focused on the systems, policies, and innovative approaches needed to drive sustainable transformation in the fashion industry.

What to Expect
Through this conversation, attendees will gain deeper insight into the lived realities of garment workers, the systemic drivers of exploitation, and the urgent need for transparency and accountability. The panel will not only shed light on the human cost of fashion but also invite dialogue on how to shift power, center worker voices, and envision a future for fashion that is just, sustainable, and humane.

This event is co-sponsored by CBEY's Moving the Needle program, the Orville H. Schell Center for International Human Rights, and the South Asian Studies Council.