Blog Action Day - Poverty
Gemma Cartwright writes...
Today is Blog Action Day, an annual nonprofit event that aims to get bloggers around the world talking about an important global topic, with the aim of increasing awareness and creating a platform for discussion.
This year, the topic is poverty, which I think we can all agree is incredibly relevant to the fashion industry, especially in light of recent tv shows and reports. Though we're seeing many changes and moves towards fair trade and ethical production, the fashion industry still has a long way to go...
I'm not going to use this post to outline all the bad stuff that happens in this industry, or berate people for shopping at stores that may or may not use sweatshops, child labour or other bad practices that contribute to half the world living in poverty. The cold, hard truth is that most of us know exactly where our clothes might be coming from when we hand over the cash.
Instead, I'm going to praise those people in this industry who're actively making changes and heading in the right direction. I think it's time someone recognised the trailblazers who're making changes, paying a fair wage, keeping tight control over their suppliers and keeping an eye on manufacturing processes.
[l-r Dress by People Tree, Jeans by Edun at Adili, dress from Oxfam]
Traid
In their own words, Traid are "a charity committed to protecting the environment and reducing world poverty through recycling and delivering educational programmes and campaigning within the UK." Basically, if we recycle our clothes with them, we can help to reduce poverty. Next time you're thinking of binning an item of clothing that's perfectly good but no longer any use to you, remember that, and go and find a recycling bank instead. It really is that easy.
Oxfam
The ultimate poverty fighters in the UK, Oxfam do just about everything to help people less fortunate that us. Fashionistas can support the cause by donating or shopping in one of the many amazing Oxfam charity shops (our Isabelle keeps the Drury Lane branch going with all her purchases) but that's just the tip of the iceberg. Oxfam do everything from organising music festivals to selling alternative Christmas presents.
Adili
'Adili' is a Swahili word meaning "ethical and just". Thel online boutique is big news in the fashion world for stocking labels that are not only fair trade, organic or locally sourced, but also stylish. The Adili Foundation is a charity being set up by the brand "with the aim of overcoming poverty through trade, creating better livelihoods, improving working conditions and caring for the environment."
Twiggy
Host of the BBC's new 'Frock Exchange', the 60s supermodel is doing a lot to educate us about the pitfalls of investing in too much fast fashion without knowing where it's come from. Twiggy encourages us to swap and customise clothes, instead of buying stuff that's contributing to continued poverty worldwide. She's also a model for Marks & Spencer (see no.5).
Edun
Created by Bono and his wife Ali Hewson, Edun is high fashion for the socially conscious. They have "a mission to drive sustainable employment in developing economies" and sell high-end fashion (denim, organic cotton and other casualwear). This is the one time that trading on a celebrity name is a good thing - with Bono's huge address book of celeb contacts, the label soon gained cult status, which has no doubt helped people further along the chain.
Marks & Spencer
As we reported yesterday, Marks and Spencer is the most Animal-friendly retailer in Britain. But the also help humans, too. The high street giants teamed up with Oxfam for a clothing exchange, and have raised over £1 Million since January to help people living in extreme poverty in the third world. They've also put 'Plan A' into action - a five year plan to tackle the ethical issues that most mass retailers face.
Tamsin Blanchard
Fashion journalist Tamsin is the author of every stylish girl's guide to going green and ethical - Green is the New Black. Approaching the topics of fair trade and ethical production as well as environmental issues, the book is a really good, non-preachy introduction to making changes in the way you shop. It advises avoiding any 'too good to be true' fast fashion, with tips on how to shop with a conscience.
People Tree
People Tree have long been pioneers in Fair Trade fashion, and their description of the practice gives you a good idea how dedicated they are to beating poverty. "Fair Trade doesn't just mean paying a fair price. It is an entirely different way of doing business, where the objective is not profit at any cost, but to help people in the world's most marginalised communities escape poverty and promote sustainability." They've worked with Topshop to sell fair trade on the high street, and they now have the support of Jane Shepherdson, the woman with the magic fashion touch.
For loads more ethical fashion resources, visit the Ethical Fashion Forum.
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