Ethical Fashion

For a while now, ‘Ethical fashion’ has been the buzzphrase sweeping the fashion industry. But what does the term actually mean? The dictionary describes it as morally correct, therefore rendering the term applicable to a number of policies in place on the high street. Organic clothing means that the growth and production process for the clothing has been carried out in a sustainable manner, without the use of toxic chemicals. Fairtrade clothing refers to pieces constructed by farm/garment workers who receive a fair wage they are able to live on and work in safe healthy conditions.

With Vogue Paris declaring the look for Autumn/Winter 2007 as ‘Eco-warrior’, and the revival of the grunge 90’s, it seems that ethical fashion is going from strength to strength. Katherine Hamnett produced her first protest slogan t-shirts in 1983, boasting messages such as ‘PRESERVE THE RAINFORESTS’. During 1989, she produced other imperatives; ‘CLEAN UP OR DIE’ as an assertion to the fashion industry to improve production conditions. Owing to this same issue, Katherine switched to manufacturing her line in 2004 under the name Katherine E Hamnett, the ‘E’ standing for ethical and ecological. She collaborated with Tesco earlier this year but has now withdrawn her products, stating that they had ideological differences and that her garments were at odds with their morals.

London Fashion Week was certainly the most ethically conscious ever. Stella McCartney showcased her new ‘ready to wear’ range, which was made from organic, fair trade cotton; following in the wake of high fashion non-leather shoes, she proves once again to be a pioneer for vegan clothing. Matilda Lee, editor of the lifestyle section of The Ecologist noted that McCartney had “combined high-end designer fashion with her ethical viewpoint.” Other designers reflected a similar interest in rainbow colours and a hippy, ethically moral look for next season. So has the fashion pack finally proven that it has a conscience? Considering that the rest of Fashion Week previewed collections, by designers such as Christopher Kane, heavily adorned with feathers, snakeskin and furs we can be rest assured that the fashion industry remains as gloriously superficial as ever.
There has been a wave of change on the High street however, which suggests a more sincere commitment to the production of ethical clothing. Not only have Marks and Spencer followed McCartney’s lead and started to sell an ever expanding range of fair trade clothing, but Oasis and H&M fallen fashionably in line. American Apparel manufactures all its clothing in downtown LA, paying its workers an adequate salary and proving that outsourcing to poorer countries is not imperative for companies to operate. People Tree (which is now sold through Topshop) commenced sales in this country during 2001. The company operates by choosing the ethical option wherever possible, meaning that most of their cotton is certified organic and Fairtrade and all colours are achieved with natural/safe dyes.
This change reflects the strong consumer demand for fashion with a conscience, and the High Street should be applauded for coming up with some fantastic collections so that the modern shopper can indulge in a fashion-fix without betraying their morals. Shopping has never been so guilt-free!

(Green) T-shirt, £10 Topshop
(White) Hooded top, £12 New Look
(Orange) T-shirt, £5 Marks and Spencer
Jeans, £40 Oasis

Arkadash (www.arkadash.co.uk)
Priding themselves on selling clothing that has no resemblance to hessian sacks or dyed ponchos, Chantelle and Vik’s boutique in Chorlton, along with another in Leeds, has been open for two years. Arkadash (Turkish for friend) sells stylish clothing and shoes that haven’t been manufactured in sweatshops, made from organic cotton/hemp wherever possible, where the workers earning a fair wage, have health care, pensions and union rights that are taken for granted in this country. As well as running the shop, they’re often out and about at markets and fairs, or even holding ethical parties in peoples’ own homes! If you don’t fancy venturing out to the leaf suburbs of Chorlton, catch them on 26th & 27th of this month at Manchester Fairtrade and Farmers' Market, Piccadilly Gardens. For the months of October & November, a 20% discount will be available on No Sweat Trainers, on production of a valid student card.

Love those Shoes? (www.lovethoseshoes.com)
Born from the idea that shoes should not only look good but do good, this website was launched five years ago. Including a wide range of vegan shoes, the idea was to create a collection of innovative footwear that gave health as well as beauty benefits whilst wearing them. The shoes are stylish along with practical, in addition to being sourced from factories with safe working environments where workers are adequately paid. Earth shoes, worn by the likes of Sienna, Gwyneth and Al Pacino are endorsed by Manolo Blahnik, contain ‘negative heel technology’ that has been created to realign the wearer’s spine and are a prime example of why the site is worth a look.

From now until the end of December, get a 10% discount on purchases when quoting ‘student’ upon ordering.