Catalogue Number
NMLH.1992.133
Object Name
Dress
Title
'Inti'l Ladies Garment Workers' Union'
Place
Huddersfield, Yorkshire, England, UK
People
International Ladies' Garment Workers' Union (ILGWU)
Description
A yellow dress. The dress label indicates the dress was made by members of the International Ladies Garment Workers' Union.
The International Ladies' Garment Workers' Union (ILGWU) was formed in New York city on 3 June 1900 by women working in the garment industry. The industry was largely comprised of women who were often also newly arrived migrants who were exploited by factory owners. The fight back against this exploitation led to the formation of the union. Factory owners attempted to suppress the unionisation efforts by locking out women who belonged to the union. A campaign "Look for the Union Label" encouraged people to only buy garments that had been produced by union labour. This dress holds a label indicating that it was made by women who were union members.
