Refashion project

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused severe disruption throughout the global garment and footwear supply chain. Manufacturing shutdowns and consumer lockdowns around the world have led major brands to cancel orders with their suppliers, forcing a halt to production. The effects have been devastating for the workers who usually cut and stitch the world’s supply of clothing and shoes. In Cambodia, for example, the garment sector employs nearly 1 million people, 80% of whom are women. To date, up to a third have been laid off or suspended from factories. Despite collaborative efforts to improve the quality of work in the garment sector, there is little formal support available to help these women workers and their families cope through any short- or longer-term period of unemployment. Securing income and sustaining livelihoods has become an urgent challenge for many.

From September 2020, the ReFashion Project has been leading original longitudinal research to track and amplify the experiences of over 200 women garment workers in Cambodia through the pandemic.

Together with director and script writer Robin Narciso, we produced and shot 2 short films as part of this project.


The Wedding Ring

The film focuses on the experiences of one worker and her family as they battle the economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

——- CREDITS ——-

Cast: Erica Tan, Ros Mony, Trai Rothanak, Mony Yuth, Bun Thach, and Chakrya Chea

Director: Robin Narciso

Assistant Director: Ines Sothea

Director of Photography: Thomas Cristofoletti

Line Producer: Simouy Seng

Sound Engineer: Put Bunnary

Camera Assistant / Focus Puller: Maty Prom

Costumes and set design: Luisa Roa Mantilla

Make Up Artist: Somnang Pheaktra

Gaffers and Lights: Sok Dy Team

Audio post production: Kongchak Pictures

Sound Design / Re-recording Mix: Srey Moch Kim & Vincent Villa

Colorist: Phanith Chhum





The Haul

The film connects the lives of two Cambodian garment workers with a fashion vlogger and influencer based in the United Kingdom. The workers face worsening labour conditions in new sub-contracting or shadow factories which increased in number as the pandemic progressed into its second year.

——- CREDITS ——-

  • Cast: Kirsty Day, Deka, Samnang Visa, Sara Chantra, and Heng Savoeun

  • Writer / Director: Robin Narciso

  • Director of Photography / Producer: Thomas Cristofoletti

  • Assistant Director: Ines Sothea

  • Line Producer: Phong Sopheaktra (Tra)

  • Sound Engineer: Put Bunnary

  • Camera Assistant / Focus Puller: Pisey Nith

  • Costumes and set design: Luisa Roa Mantilla

  • Prop Master: John Alex

  • Production Assistant: Kao Sophanit

  • Production Assistant: Mes Sarin

  • Make Up Artist: Somnang Pheaktra

  • Gaffers Team: Sok Dy

  • Gaffers: Pov Sokhoun, Sorn Tha, Key Vuththeng, Run Khemara, Meas Phalla, Men Dara

  • Transportation: Uch Mao Mao

  • Transportation: Kim Meng

  • VFX: Lim Heng

  • Audio post-production: Kongchak Pictures

  • Sound Design / Re-recording Mix: Srey Moch Kim & Vincent Villa

  • Colorist: Phanith Chhum

  • Music: Song of Sewing Machine #1 by DJ QuestionMark (permissions granted courtesy of the Author)


Graphic design by Bison Bison

Refashion is a research project by Royal Holloway, University of London and Nottingham University. Funded by UKRI Global Challenges Research Fund.