FLUSHING, N.Y., May 7, 2003 (PRIMEZONE) -- Oscar de la Renta, Ralph Lauren, Donna Karen and Calvin Klein are names that clothe the rich and fabulous, but according to Anna Boulet, these and other designer clothes are invisibly stained by the blood of the common garment worker. In recent years, notoriety has been given to the mistreatment of people in designer clothing factories and sweatshops around the globe. In her book, Garment Center the Evil Empire (now available through 1stBooks Library), Boulet exposes the hard life of the nameless hands that sew the clothes of high fashion.
As an immigrant coming to the United States with dreams of entering the garment industry, Boulet had an inside look all her life to the pain and unfair treatment endured by the employees of these designers. The industry, in her opinion, is a powerful one, generating billions annually, but the cruelty involved often stays shrouded by the glamorous side of fashion.
She exposes how the employers concern themselves with profits and making money. Employees are seen as disposable, given no consideration for their dedication, blood, sweat and tears. Employers, in her experience, treat employees with the same or less regard than they give to their machinery. Her book focuses on the invisible workers in that rich industry. While employers' pockets expand with cash, employees' waistlines shrink in poverty.
"My book is about helping employees who need help and nobody else is willing to help them get out of the invisibility, is about giving a voice to the voiceless," Boulet states.
Boulet immigrated from Haiti to New York City. Unable to afford the extravagant clothes she saw in department stores, she decided to go to school and learn how to make them. She went to Mayer School of Fashion Design in New York City to learn sewing and draping. After completing the course, she went to work as a sample maker in children clothing for designer Irene Twamala at Nanette Manufacturing. Afterwards, she went to Milan, Italy to attend fashion school. She returned to the United States and gained more experience before returning to Haiti. There she opened her own boutique, which lasted for two and a half years. She again returned to America and spent the rest of her time in the garment industry. Her first book, Garment Center the Evil Empire is an expose of the industry and a "voice for the voiceless."
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