To accompany the launch of the Report "A Little Story about a Fashionable Lie" a series of images have been created retelling the Hans Christian Anderson classic, “The Emperor’s New Clothes.” The photos tell the story of a young King who upon discovering that even the most luxurious and expensive children’s clothing contains hazardous chemicals exposes this truth to the world, and challenges the brands to make toxic-free clothing for him and all children around the world; refusing to wear clothes until they do.
The tailors in the original fairy-tale “The Emperor’s new clothes” deceive the king, tricking him into believing that he is wearing the finest garments - when in fact he is completely naked.
Deception is a key theme in this modern fairytale as well because major fashion brands like Versace and Dolce & Gabbana are also deceiving their customers - hiding the presence of hazardous chemicals behind the glamour and dream-like mystery of their catwalk-shows and advertising. Luxury clothes may be exclusive, but toxic chemicals are not.