Style Ethics

Child labor.
Sweatshop.
Exploitation.
A dollar a day.
Carcinogens.
10 hour work day in a non-air-conditioned factory.

These words could be used to describe how the new dress you just bought was made.

Crazy, right? Most of us are not fully aware of the effect that our purchases have on others around the world, and the world itself! We just walk around the malls, browse the internet or look through the catalogues and buy what we like, especially if it’s on sale. Well now is the time to do your part and apply the ethical decisions that you make when you go out for drinks with friends and get a designated driver or are contemplating on plagiarizing this great quote in your paper but decide to cite it. We make consciously moral, and just plain obvious, decisions to do the right thing every day. Why not apply it to the clothes on our back?

The London-based organization, Ethical Fashion Forum, attempts to start a movement by changing the direction of the fashion industry. They are doing all they can to move designers and clothing manufacturers towards becoming socially and environmentally conscious businesses. In doing this EFF “support[s] and promote[s] sustainable practices,” through “collaboration, rais[ing] awareness and provid[ing] the tools and resources needed to reduce poverty, reduce environmental damage and raise standards in the fashion industry.”

So how does one further EFF’s mission and make better purchase decisions?

Here’s a start! Check out this website for Vogue UK and you will see the various labels that are making a conscious effort to do their part to make their impact a positive one.

Look for fair trade, vintage, recycled, or organic clothing and fabrics. Check out your local Crossroads Trading Company or Buffalo Exchange for thrifty, previously-owned buys. And don’t forget, you can donate your clothing, too!

Research your favorite companies and make sure that they do not use child-labor to manufacture their products. Check-out your favorite accessory, clothing or footwear designer’s website (or maybe their Facebook fan page?) and contact them to ask if their clothing is created based on ethical and environmental standards. Be conscious of your purchases and support those companies that do their part for our precious Earth.

I know that personally I have not made the strongest effort in trying to purchase ethical and sustainable clothing. I was genuinely unaware of the dangers and damages. Since fashion has always been an interest of mine, I want to make a meaningful contribution to diminishing its negative impact on those who create the products and the environment in which we live. And as I look for a job next year I know that an important part of the companies that I look into will be their ethic and moral decisions and practices, be it in the fashion industry or not.