For Immediate release
UPDATE – London, UK Friday 24 April 2021
FAO 93RD ACADEMY AWARDS (OSCARS) SUNDAY 25 APRIL 2021
– COMPLAINT RE RCGD (RED CARPET GREEN DRESS)
We wish to alert the relevant stakeholders about the conduct of RCGD – towards us, a not for profit small British luxury brand.
And of why we have submitted a complaint about Suzy Cameron, its founder. As well as written to the Publicity Department.
And asked for the following measures to be urgently considered before the 93 Academy Awards (Oscars) is awarded Sunday evening, 25 April. As of 24 April 2021, we have had no reply yet from Academy Awards on the following requests.
- A one minute silence is held at the Academy Award Ceremony this Sunday 25 April 2021
- Mrs Suzy Cameron and her organisation RCGD is banned from the Oscars after Sunday 25 April 2021- as it is unacceptable for her to behave the way she has done to LRPVG. In fact one of the victims has undertaken a video message which we will soon release asking why she did not help them.
- Mr James Cameron to provide us with a response as to whether he was aware that his wife had issued us with legal threats? And whether his status as a winner has enabled Mrs Suzy Cameron to gain unpair advantage with the Oscars in any way?
- The Board of the Academy Awards review all evidence we posses and to review the complaint we submitted
- The Board meet with LRPVG after the 93 Academy Award to ensure a sweatshop free Red Carpet at this awards ceremony and many more eg BAFTAS, Cannes.
- Academy Award bans all fashion on the Red Carpet that is not sustainable and is not sweatshop free. And that this is vetted and verified and Lovedesh seeks the opportunity to assist and advise on how to ensure red carpet fashion is kinder to people and planet.
Here is why. We feel there is merit to these requests.
I,. Yasmin Choudhury, FRSA and CEO of Lovedesh & LRPVG (Lovedesh Rana Plaza Victims Group) have today (Thursday 22 April) reported the SRA (Solicitor’s Regulation Authority) to CEDR – the Independent Complaints Review Service. This is a formal organisation tasked with reviewing poor services and complaints about the SRA. The organisation the regulate British solicitor firms.
As we have complained about how it has turned a blind eye to the spurious and vexatious legal threats issued by a British law firm called Nath Solicitors, appointed and under instructions from RCGD (Red Carpet Green Dress), founded by Suzy Cameron, to bully me as the CEO of Lovedesh. From reporting and whistleblowing concerns I had raised about the problematic conduct and unethical behaviour of a third party independent organisation, who had trampled over the work being done for victims of modern day slavery. And in doing so, harmed #IRemember1136 #ShutUp4RanaPlaza – a global human rights campaign, designed to benefit these same victims of modern day slavery. Some of whom are orphans, young sick kids and more.
I am now aware that Mrs Cameron, wife of James Cameron, is collaborating with TENCEL to dress some of celebrities on the Red Carpet at the 93rd Academy Awards on Sunday 25 April 2021.
“Red Carpet Green Dress and Tencel brand from Lenzing, have extended their collaboration for a second year running at 93rd Academy Awards. As a part of collaboration, RCGD x Tencel launched a range of eco-couture materials made from Tencel materials currently being adapted into bespoke looks for number of Oscars nominees and physical red carpet guests.
“According to Lenzing’s press release, paying homage to RCGD’s roots as a design contest, the looks themselves and the talent wearing the designs are to be unveiled the night of the Oscars on Sunday April 25.” (Fibre2Fashion.com)
This is not the first time I’ve come across fashion campaigners who behind the scenes attempt to damage the work being done at the grassroots by women of colour to pioneer thought leadership in fashion. Especially those of us who share heritage with the victims of modern day slavery as well as garment workers and the poorest communities around the world as we speak their language and can relate and understand their needs a traditional “fat cat” charities cannot.
Mrs Cameron is just one of many who have hurt the work being done.
I can confirm a series of complaints about the legal firm she used in the UK, as well as other third parties, have been issued to relevant authorities and many more on Thursday April 22, 2021 which is also Stephen Lawrence Day and Earth Day.
These complaints are in regards to the actions of those, who despite being privileged and having access to power and profile, have instead chosen to hurt and damage the victims of Rana Plaza. And while independent of each other, the cumulative impact has caused so much damage. we could not stay silent.
Since this post was published. we have since submitted a formal complaint to the Academy Awards as well as sent an email to Publicity Dept and copied in Lenzing the Parent company of Tencel – to ask that they investigate why Mrs Cameron’s organisation RCGD issued us with legal threats. And why she blocked us on Twitter. Her office initially promised to help but then reneged. We possess evidence and we now ask the world to review and to protect the fashion campaigns designed to protect people and planet.
These incidents and more will also now form part of Lovedesh 10+ Files – a personal and factual narrative on the highs and lows of am ordinary working mother, trying to deliver good against all odds. And of how as an ordinary single mother. I have been caught up in a multiple of David v Goliath battles and why this open letter is published to ask the Academy Awards, the general public and all stakeholders in international development, charities, campaigning and Governments to take note – how human rights defenders who also happen to be business leaders are being treated. Especially if they are women of colour and female.
And I will continue to lobby for the world to help victims of fashion slavery.
If the world can rescue Malala from the Taliban – the Oscars can remind the world of the victims in the fashion supply chain who suffer at the hands of the greediest brands. Incidentally many garment workers in Bangladesh were not paid during the pandemic due to brands reneging on contracts and many luxury brands do employ underpaid staff to undertake embroidery and haute couture work. See this article on Christian Dior here Here is an excerpt of why luxury fashion needs to pay more.
“Unknown to most consumers, the expensive, glittering brands of runways in Paris and Milan also indirectly employ thousands of workers in the developing world. In Mumbai, scores of ateliers and export houses act as middlemen between the brands and highly skilled artisans, while also providing services like design, sampling and garment production.
……
“Yet during visits to several Mumbai factories, and in more than three dozen interviews with artisans, factory managers and designers, The New York Times found that embroiderers still completed orders at unregulated facilities that did not meet Indian factory safety laws. Many workers still do not have any employment benefits or protections, while seasonal demands for thousands of hours of overtime would coincide with the latest fashion weeks in Europe.
“Several factory owners said that membership in the pact meant investing in the costly compliance standards outlined by the Utthan pact, while brands simultaneously drove down what they would pay for orders.” (March 2020 – New York Times)
The horrendous manner in which the global human rights campaign #IRemember1136 #ShutUp4RanaPlaza I created as a woman of colour, a single mother, has been either sabotaged, damaged, hijacked or hurt by the actions of those who claim to care for people and planet. One such is Mrs Suzy Cameron of Red Carpet Green Dress (RCGD). And we as a society need to talk about the actions undertaken by the rich and powerful. And the ripples caused by the multitude of David v Goliath battles, in which the have and have nots are being pitted. And why we need more help. And why Rana Plaza victims have joined forces with me at Lovedesh as quite simply, enough is enough.
Rana Plaza
On 24th of April, 2013, 1,136, garment workers died when a factory suddenly collapsed in Bangladesh. The name of the factory was Rana Plaza.. Mostly teenage girls and working mothers died. Some of his bodies have never been recovered.
Purely for reference purposes – here is a home video I did.
I was the first one I’d ever done using my MacBook. As after the event. I kept crying, So shocked at how I was ignorant of their plight.
9-07 Ordinary Voices June 27 2013 FINAL from Yasmin Choudhury on Vimeo.
As a mother. I myself are so horrified, I immediately began to search for solutions. And why watching this personal film (we attempted to get it released but music companies said no), will help you understand not only the tragedy but the sheer horror and depth of greed that the fashion sector is guilty of. Which we as consumers are also complicit in. And despite trying to release the movie to obtain a copyright from the musicians I wasn’t able to and I kept it as educational purpose only. To help explain the severity of why workers in fashion supply chain needed urgent assistance.
The eighth anniversary of the Rana Plaza collapse is this Saturday, April 24, 2021. I met the survivors in 2019. As decided to do something to help victim of fast and luxury fashion.
Here I am as the survivors and victims of the dead tell me stories of their loved ones – who died in the name of fashion.
Every April, victims and relatives of the dead, many of whom left behind orphaned children as well as families remember their grief. I myself visited and began to design and create a fundraising ethical sweatshop garment for them. The Lovedesh Tee.
And why even disabled rickshaw drivers and rural villagers of Bangladesh support our mission to Protect People & Planet & Plants.
Here is even more evidence in how I as CEO of Lovedesh have worked alone. at grassroots, so hard to make sure this garment protected people and planet.
All of which Mrs Suzy Cameron, Ms Samata Pattinson and RCGD would have known about. As well as all the others mentioned as we published this film below n September 2019.
Featured in this film is my beloved daughter Amber, who has been visiting Bangladesh since she was 2. And began helping me explore the roots causes of poverty in Bangladesh and UK since the age of 7. Now she is 19 and such is the horror I have witnessed that I have asked she removes herself for a while – given this dispute has to be made public. As she is not involved and just a young girl who wanted to help those whose incomes are very hard hit.
Having created the Lovedesh Tee – and being betrayed by Extinction Rebellion (another story to be posted) in Autumn 2019 and ignored by London Fashion Week, we were eventually successful in getting interest from People’s Republic of Bangladesh, who were interested in our handcrafted luxury Red Carpet Collection called Lovedesh Atelier.
And with this success we then launched on International Women’s Day in March 2020. But then pandemic arrived. And all plans were demolished for our Spring Summer 2020 launch. And so I raced to find a halfway house to showcase the brand and also platform the Rana Plaza victims and survivors, who in Bangladesh were excited at having a garment made just for them,
And so in 2021 – I began my first Memorial event under Lockdown. And why we invited RCGD and many others to attend. To help host a one minute silence.
It was a horrendous experience. And I spent much of my time having to unravel the horrendous actions of many fashion campaigners from Extinction Rebellion, Safia Minney, Laudes Foundation, Fairwear Foundation and many many more – who refused to help or assist us. And instead did much to damage us.
And why they gave me, as CEO a mandate to act in their interests. See below.
11am GMT BST – Sat 24.03.2021
Lovedesh again invited the world to hold a one minute global silence in memory of those who died. Anyone can register free for the online event on our website. We share this so the world knows our commitment to making change.
So why the dispute with RCGD?
I had connected with RCGD via CEO Samata Pattinson in April 2020, in asking her and many other fashion campaigners to attend a memorial event on Friday 24th of that month, which would platform the voices of those in Bangladesh, impacted by this infamous tragedy. It had begun to concern me that time and time again, I saw many foreign fashion campaigning organisations as well as charities and trade unions using this tragedy to pursue their own agenda. Yet were erasing and excluding the victims themselves. When I spoke to the victims they told me nobody ever involve them. And they were sick and tired of people using their tragedy all their faces and pictures of the dead loved ones – to promote ethical fashion campaigns.
I quickly noticed the disparity in how victims of Ariana Grande’s Manchester bombing victims were treated as well as those victims of America’s gun shootings in schools. They were treated with honour and respect.
Yet Rana Plaza victims, one of the world’s most horrific tragedy caused by greedy foreign fashion companies who remain successful to this day, remain in hardship. And erased from their own tragedy. This includes many fashion campaigners who claim to care but somehow have not yet managed to create a lasting legacy that is designed to represent the interests of these victims. I know because they told me they are so neglected.
All of which is documented in Lovedesh’s YouTube channel. As well as the array of behind-the-scenes footage and filming that I undertook, in order to examine and explore the root causes of poverty. In order to create solutions on a shoestring to help victims of sweatshops in fashion. And why a Lovedesh tea was designed and created by me, to raise funds as well as establish a Lovedesh as the world’s first ever ethical luxury brand – designed to protect people and planet. And I believe, to this day remains the only organisation in the world, backed by government workers in Bangladesh, survivors and victims of the Rana Plaza. factory collapse as well as rural villagers, disabled rickshaw drivers and factory owners.
Despite years of hardship, as a single mother, as well as being a survivor of domestic abuse and suffering an array of business barriers, I arranged a global human rights campaign #IRemember1136 #ShutUp4RanaPlaza – so that the first ever minute silence could be held in memory of those who died in the name of fashion.
But my dreams to help the poorest victims in fashion’s supply chain went wrong.
While I somehow managed to complete this memorial online event in 2020, the behaviour and conduct of RCGD was bizarre. Not only was I bullied but I was disregarded after I attempted to whistle blow on a third-party whom I believed was misleading the general public. This individual is a Bangladeshi citizen and it is my sincere belief that this person has been groomed to betray the interests of fellow garment workers as well as survivors and victims of Rana Plaza.
I, on behalf of the LRPVG, have submitted a complaint to CEDR, after I received a series of vexatious legal threats and harassment undertaken in 2019 by British legal firm Nath Solicitor, who were instructed on behalf of Mrs Suzy Cameron, founder of Red Carpet Green Dress (RCGD).
Mrs Suzy Cameron is well known to Hollywood fashion’s scene. She is the wife of Oscar winner James Cameron. The Director of Avatar & Titanic the movies. And has just confirmed her organisation’s partnership with the Oscars – with Tencel.
It is important to note – Tencel the organisation is not in anyway connected to this dispute. Nor have I had any contact whatsoever with Mr James Cameron. On this matter. Whether he knows or not we do not know.
“Red Carpet Green Dress and Tencel brand from Lenzing, have extended their collaboration for a second year running at 93rd Academy Awards. As a part of collaboration, RCGD x Tencel launched a range of eco-couture materials made from Tencel materials currently being adapted into bespoke looks for number of Oscars nominees and physical red carpet guests.” (April 2021 Fibre 2 Fashion)
It is notable that RCGD iso be seen crowing about its partnership with the Oscars. Yet has failed to mention the deep impact and horrendous treatment towards the victims of Rana Plaza.
They have threatened, bullied and disregarded my valid concerns. And impacted on attempts to protect the work being done to rescue, repair the damage done to some of the worst victims of fashion’s modern say slavery. For example, their harassment made me very ill. It also caused us financial loss and moreover risk to the health of a young child, a twin girl aged 6, called Jannat, whom we were working to bring to the UK for medical treatment at Great Ormond Street Hospital – all of which can be confirmed.
But Hollywood. The Academy and the general public does need to know the actions of Mrs Cameron and her CEO Ms Samata Pattinson has hurt Lovedesh and the victims of Rana Plaza. As it is in contravention of United Nation’s own Universal Declaration Of Human Rights.
Article 1
“Everyone has the right, individually and in association with others, to promote and to strive for the protection and realization of human rights and fundamental freedoms at the national and international levels.
“And that such conduct cannot be allowed towards the worlds most vulnerable can be treated in this manner.”
Background
I had connected with RCGD via CEO Samata Pattinson in April 2020, in asking her and many other fashion campaigners to attend a memorial event, which would platform the voices of those in Bangladesh, impacted by this infamous tragedy. It had begun to concern me that time and time again, I saw many foreign fashion campaigning organisations as well as charities and trade unions using this tragedy to pursue their own agenda. Yet were erasing and excluding the victims themselves. When I spoke to the victims they told me nobody ever involve them. And they were sick and tired of people using their tragedy all their faces and pictures of the dead loved ones – to promote ethical fashion campaigns.
I quickly noticed the disparity in how victims of Ariana Grande’s Manchester bombing victims were treated as well as those victims of America’s gun shootings in schools. Yet Rana Plaza victims, one of the world’s most horrific tragedy is caused by greedy foreign fashion companies who remain successful to this day, remain in hardship.
All of which is documented in Lovedesh’s YouTube channel. As well as the array of behind-the-scenes footage and filming that I undertook, in order to examine and explore the root causes of poverty. In order to create solutions on a shoestring to help victims of sweatshops in fashion. And why a Lovedesh tea was designed and created by me, to raise funds as well as establish a Lovedesh as the world’s first ever ethical luxury brand – designed to protect people and planet. And I believe, to this day remains the only organisation in the world, backed by government workers in Bangladesh, survivors and victims of the Rana Plaza. factory collapse as well as rural villagers, disabled rickshaw drivers and factory owners.
But it all went wrong.
Despite years of hardship, as a single mother as well as being a survivor of domestic abuse and suffering an array of barriers, I arranged a global human rights campaign #IRemember1136 #ShutUp4RanaPlaza – so that the first ever minute silence could be held in memory of those who died in the name of fashion. While I somehow managed to complete this memorial online event in 2020, the behaviour and conduct of RCGD was bizarre. Not only was I bullied but I was disregarded after I attempted to whistle blow on a third-party whom I believed was misleading the general public. This individual is a Bangladeshi citizen and it is my sincere belief that this person has been groomed to betray the interests of fellow garment workers.
#IRemember1136 #ShutUp4RanaPlaza April 2020
In April 2020, I organised the world’s first memorial event for the victims called #IRemember1136 and #ShutUp4RanaPlaza- the behaviour of Mrs Cameron (who has blocked me on Twitter) and that of her British CEO has been deeply worrying and problematic.
I felt they were attempting to bully me
Their spurious legal threats were designed to gag me, and soon they sent threats to take me to court for “defamation” after I had raised concerns about the activities of a mutual third party fashion campaigner RCGD insisted on working with. Who it appears to us and the victims, does not work in the interests of garment workers and victims of Rana Plaza. I now believe this was done in order to protect the sponsorship arrangement perhaps with Tencel.
I even asked they and their partner organisation Fairwear Foundation, (who RCGD claimed had recommend this third party person to them) – to review all the evidence I had. They both chose not. I began to see more evidence that this fashion campaigner was solely interested in lining the pockets of foreign entities which were hurting the interests of Rana Plaza victims and the poorest in fashion modern day slavery supply chain.
Alexander Kohnstamm the Executive Director of Fairwear Foundation ghosted me. After offering to help. But upon receiving emails – went silent.
RCGD began to mount a disparaging attack on my good name. In order to prevent me from protecting our global human rights campaign and the work being done to reduce victims of this tragedy. Some of whose children remain in need and one who was a the time in hospital All fo which RCGD were made aware. They simply did not seem to care. I was aghast.
This included sending horrid emails about me, to several unrelated business associates of mine. One of whom is willing to be a witness. As he was surprised to find how far they had gone to randomly contact him. Even though he was unrelated to the dispute. To this day I have no idea how they got my business associates email addresses and of course will be taking this matter up with the ICO (Information Commissioners Office in the UK).
RCGD were also advised that I am an individual has suffered much including trauma. Yet they continued to harass me. And I felt bullied. Soon my global human rights campaigns collapsed and I was very ill. Janna the little girl was also ill – all of which can be evidenced in the many Periscope Lives I did – where I attempted to share my story on livestreams in an effort to glean some more help for the family of this little girl.
https://www.pscp.tv/yasminisyasmin/1mnxeaVYbpNxX
Oscars 2021
Since the online reports on the RCGD website, that the organisation is to be involved in the 93rd Oscars ceremony, I and the Lovedesh Rana Plaza Victims Group (LRPVG), am writing to object. And complain about RCGD involvement.
I have no wish to detract and distract away from the achievements of my fellow creatives. .But you will note that the very foundation on which Lovedesh is built: to be on a mission to protect people and planet – cannot be forgotten. Even for the Oscars. And Hollywood VIP. As this is what ethical business integrity looks like. In order to help protect the worlds most vulnerable in fashion supply chain, which as we all know, is extremely greedy, it does not look after the interests of the planet know people. Especially since the pandemic, many have continued to exploit and underpay the poorest in the supply chain
Quite frankly, as a single mother, I am devastated to see the impact the pursuit fast and luxury fashion has had. To hurt people and planet.And I think this is a brilliant opportunity to bring everyone round the table. And ask those at the top of fashion food chain, who run Red Carpet events and have access to Celebrities, (we do not), to begin to demand better treatment and standards as well as protection for people on planet when it comes to Red Carpet events.
Requests
I think we can use this terrible set of circumstances to ensure we are better at protecting people and planet.
I ask that after this ceremony, the Academy Awards and its relevant stakeholders stop all unethical conduct in fashion. It has no place at the Academy Awards.And that protection be given to vulnerable communities within fashion supply chain. And that their interest are protected first and foremost. By making sure that every item of clothing on the red carpet is sweatshop free. As well as sustainable.
Therefore I and the LRPVG, now ask the Academy Awards to consider the following urgent requests –
- A one minute silence is held at the Academy Award Ceremony this Sunday 25 April 2021
- Mrs Suzy Cameron and her organisation RCGD is banned from the Oscars after Sunday 25 April 2021- as it is unacceptable for her to behave the way she has done to LRPVG. In fact one of the victims has undertaken a video message which we will soon release asking why she did not help them.
- Mr James Cameron to provide us with a response as to whether he was aware that his wife had issued us with legal threats? And whether his status as a winner has enabled Mrs Suzy Cameron to gain unpair advantage with the Oscars in any way?
- The Board of the Academy Awards review all evidence we posses and to review the complaint we submitted
- The Board meet with LRPVG after the 93 Academy Award to ensure a sweatshop free Red Carpet at this awards ceremony and many more eg BAFTAS, Cannes.
- Academy Award bans all fashion on the Red Carpet that is not sustainable and is not sweatshop free. And that this is vetted and verified and Lovedesh seeks the opportunity to assist and advise on how to ensure red carpet fashion is kinder to people and planet.
This dispute and many others I have reported on April 22, 2021 are being handled solely by me. And are not in any way connected nor related to others who are connected or support Lovedesh, be it any third-party, or our suppliers or anyone who has ever collaborated with me or Lovedesh. This includes Amber Choudhury-Kaye who is not involved on this matter.
Thank you for reading
Yasmin Choudhury & LRPVG (Rana Plaza Victims Group)
Notes to editors
Lovedesh is an award winning not for profit British ethical luxury brand on a mission to protect people planet and plants.
You can see all our videos and behind the scenes work here.
https://www.youtube.com/c/Lovedesh
We are a small mother and daughter design duo, based in London. And have spent over a decade researching the root causes of poverty in order to find solutions to some of the biggest problems in society today. This includes climate change, modern day slavery in fashion, sweatshops, and much more. As well as supporting garment workers in Global South – who are often exploited and have died in the name of fashion.
All press and media should email media@lovedesh.com – however any updates will be provided via Yasmin’s or Lovedesh’s social media accounts. These are available on the Lovedesh website.
