ETHICS & FASHION
“If you describe something as ethical, you mean that it is morally right or morally acceptable.” Collins English Dictionary
"Ethical fashion can be defined as the production of textiles items with a conscience. With the concept of social responsibility gaining ground, corporates all over the world are recognizing the importance of environment protection and ethical business. Fashion houses are no exception, More and more fashion designers and textile producers are striving to produce goods that do not harm the environment and are cruelty-free. Ethical issues in fashion are emerging."
The concept of ethical fashion is not a new one, however in modern times it is gaining more and more popularity, with more people caring and becoming conscious of it. As awareness about environment conservation, cruelty to animals and ethical issues in business is rising, fashion brands are also adopting ethical ways and means. Customers are also becoming increasingly knowledgeable about ethical fashion and are demanding for ethically produced fashion.
Animal and human rights activists as well as environment protection activists have brought up ethical issues related to the fashion industry many times. Some of the major ethical issues that have come up are:
(Information found from
http://www.fibre2fashion.com/industry-article/3/280/ethical-issues-in-fashion3.asp)
(Information found from
http://www.fibre2fashion.com/industry-article/3/280/ethical-issues-in-fashion3.asp)
- The production of cotton includes the use of large amounts of pesticides, which is harmful to the environment and to people.
- The chemical dyes that are used in the production of garments can lead to skin problems. These irritations have been noted among people on account of dangerous toxins in the clothes worn by them.
- The cruelty to animals behind the preparation of a fur coat has been brought to light time and again by animal rights activists. "One fur coat costs the life of about 55 wild mink, 40 sables, 11 lynx, 18 red foxes, 11 silver foxes, 100 chinchillas, 30 rabbits, 9 beavers, 30 muskrats, 15 bobcats, 25 skunks, 14 otters, 125 ermines, 30 possums, 100 squirrels or 27 raccoons." The pain caused to these animals while trapping them and extracting their fur is unimaginable and disgusting, and is something I personally am totally against.
- "Human rights activists have also pointed out the various ethical issues behind the preparation of a fashion product. Extremely low wages and long hours, unhealthy and unsafe working conditions, exhaustion, sexual harassment and mental stress are some of these issues. "
None of these are fair or acceptable, but fashion brands are embracing and turning to ethical fashion slowly but surely. "It has been widely accepted in certain countries, while it is still an emerging one in several others". Ethical fashion can be adopted by using eco-friendly, natural and cruelty-free materials. It also includes providing humane working conditions and fair wages to the workers.
FAIR TRADE IN FASHION
Fair trade is a unique business model that was put into place more than 40 years ago to create a "sustainable economy for disadvantaged communities in areas that don't have access to the marketplace. Fair-trade indicates a trading partnership puts consumers in touch with the manufacturers, where the supply chain is transparent and often certified by a third-party such as
The International Fair Trade Association."
A fair-trade label also ensures that the workers receive long-term trading agreements, living wages, fair working conditions and often, reinvestment back in their community through education and other facilities.
"Fairtrade is about better prices, decent working conditions, local sustainability, and fair terms of trade for farmers and workers in the developing world. Fairtrade addresses the injustices of conventional trade, which traditionally discriminates against the poorest, weakest producers. It enables them to improve their lot and have more control over their lives." (Definition by the Fairtrade Foundation)
People Tree is a label that has really helped people to understand and know more about Fair Trade Fashion. It is one of the oldest and most respected fair-trade fashion design companies.
The information and images can be found on the people tree website.
"A simple idea
For every beautiful garment People Tree makes, there's an equally beautiful change is happening somewhere in the world.
We like to think of it in terms of our little shoots-and-roots motif. We provide you with exclusive fashion - the shoots - while at the same time we work deep down through the roots, improving the lives and environment of the artisans and farmers in developing countries who work to produce it. It's Fair Trade throughout. Simple.
How it works
In order to ensure People Tree fashion meets the Fair Trade principles set out by WFTO (World Fair Trade Organisation), we work closely with 50 Fair Trade groups in 15 countries. That way, we can bring benefits to people and the planet at as many steps of the production process as possible – growing cotton, weaving, dyeing, embroidery, stitching etc. – helping alleviate poverty in the world's most marginalised communities.
We also work hard to ensure that we pioneer ecologically sound methods of production and minimise environmental impact. Not only is most of our cotton certified organic and Fairtrade, all our clothes are dyed using safe and natural dyes. And we source as many products as we can locally, choosing natural and recycled products over toxic, synthetic and non-biodegradable materials.
All our designers – both in the UK and Japan – know how to work within this set-up, which means we can produce garments that are beautiful, as well as caring. So, our collections are all the more special because they make imaginative use of local skills (handwoven fabrics, hand screen printing and hand embroidery are used a great deal), which creates as much employment as possible in areas that really need it."
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