Fashion’s Unseen Stories

A photography project by homeworkers in Tirupur, India

Meet fashion’s unseen workers

About the Project

At the start of 2023, members of a women’s garment collective in Tirupur, Tamil Nadu came together to learn photography skills from a professional photojournalist, Bhargav Shandilya. Then, they were given cameras and spent three months documenting their lives and experiences as homeworkers in the garment supply chain.

The photos expose both the challenges and benefits of homeworking, employees who are an integral part of the fashion supply chain and are nonetheless often denied fundamental rights including minimum wage, sick pay and maternity leave.

“We hope to bring out our stories through photographs. Through photographs I hope everyone will get to know that homebased workers exist and understand how we do the work.”

- K. Kavitha, Homeworker and leader of a workers collective in Tirupur

Meet the Photographers

  • K. Kavitha

    Kavitha has worked as homeworker for over 20 years. As the owner of her own factory and leader of a workers collective, she is fighting for homeworkers’ formal recognition and rights to pensions and sick pay.

    Kavitha's Photographs

  • R. Kalavani

    Kalavani is from Tirupur. She worked for two years in a factory before turning to home work to support her two children and elderly mother. She joined the workers collective to fight for fair compensation.

    Kalavani's Photographs

  • J. Sathya

    Sathya has worked in the textile industry since leaving school. After having children, she could no longer work in a factory setting. A member of the workers collective, she hopes to help others become independent and respected.

    Sathya's Photographs

  • E. Kamalam

    Kamalam is originally from Kerala. As a lone parent, she had to leave her job in a garment factory as it was incompatible with childcare. She now volunteers with a workers collective to fight for better wages and improved conditions.

    Kamalam's Photographs

  • K. Selavrani

    A former social worker turned activist, Selavrani is now working to raise awareness of homeworkers’ rights. She moved to Tirupur with her three children as a lone parent. She has supported her household for over 20 years through homework.

    Selavrani's Photographs

  • S. Suryia

    Suryia has lived in Tirupur for over 20 years. After leaving school, she worked in agriculture and then spent three years as a factory worker, regularly facing 12 hour days. After training in tailoring, she became a home-based worker and collective member, fighting for higher wages and awareness of workers’ rights.

    Suriya's Photographs

  • S. Sathya

    Sathya is a member of the workers collective in Tirupur. She recently moved there from Kerala with her husband so they could both get textile industry jobs. She learned tailoring and stitching skills from her cousin, and now works alongside her as a home-based worker.

    Sathya's Photographs

Behind the Scenes

Hear directly from the homeworkers of Tamil Nadu as they describe their experience of documenting their lives.

Stand with Homeworkers Today

Homeworkers in India are fighting for recognition and realisation of their rights. Stand with them and demand UK brands ensure homeworkers get the fair pay and safe working conditions they deserve.