101 East Denim Blues
What does it take to produce a pair of jeans? 101 East travels to the Chinese city of Xintang, known as the jeans capital of the world, and exposes a dirty, dangerous industry. We find workers risking their health while sandblasting jeans, a controversial process that makes denim look fashionably worn but which causes irreversible damage to workers' lungs. We witness the devastating destruction the denim industry is wreaking on the environment. Several big-name brands, including Levi Strauss, have pledged to end sandblasting, but this undercover investigation reveals that the harmful practice continues in China, putting workers' lives at risk. So what is the real cost behind the making of a pair of jeans? And what is the role of the world's leading denim companies in producing this iconic wardrobe staple?
101 East reports on the people and events shaping the Asia Pacific region.
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1Denim Blues What does it take to produce a pair of jeans? 101 East travels to the Chinese city of Xintang, known as the jeans capital of the world, and exposes a dirty, dangerous industry. They find workers risking their health while sandblasting jeans, a controversial process that makes denim look fashionably worn but which causes irreversible damage to workers' lungs. We witness the devastating destruction the denim industry is wreaking on the environment. Several big-name brands, including Levi Strauss, have pledged to end sandblasting, but this undercover investigation reveals that the harmful practice continues in China, putting workers' lives at risk. What is the real cost behind the making of a pair of jeans and what is the role of the world's leading denim companies in producing this iconic wardrobe staple?
Locations
- Xintang, China
Live Broadcast
- No
Commercials
- No
Primary Title
- 101 East
Episode Title
- Denim Blues
Date Broadcast
- Friday 20 March 2015
Start Time
- 22 : 30
Finish Time
- 23 : 00
Duration
- 30:00
Channel
- Al Jazeera English
Broadcaster
- Al Jazeera Media Network
Programme Description
- 101 East reports on the people and events shaping the Asia Pacific region.
Episode Description
- What does it take to produce a pair of jeans? 101 East travels to the Chinese city of Xintang, known as the jeans capital of the world, and exposes a dirty, dangerous industry. We find workers risking their health while sandblasting jeans, a controversial process that makes denim look fashionably worn but which causes irreversible damage to workers' lungs. We witness the devastating destruction the denim industry is wreaking on the environment. Several big-name brands, including Levi Strauss, have pledged to end sandblasting, but this undercover investigation reveals that the harmful practice continues in China, putting workers' lives at risk. So what is the real cost behind the making of a pair of jeans? And what is the role of the world's leading denim companies in producing this iconic wardrobe staple?
Classification
- Not Classified
Owning Collection
- Chapman Archive
Broadcast Platform
- Television
Languages
- English
Captions
Live Broadcast
- No
Rights Statement
- Made for the University of Auckland's educational use as permitted by the Screenrights Licensing Agreement.
Subjects
- Industrial relations--China
- Fashion--Environmental aspects
Genres
- Current affairs
Course Codes
- GEOG 102
Hosts
- Steve Chao (Host)