Conscientious
Conscientious Ethical Fashion Magazine
Ethical Labels
You are what you wear!
What is 'ethical fashion'? That's a question for each of us to explore in our own conscience. Below is a range of international labels expressing their vision of what 'ethical fashion' is to them.
Edun have been around for a while (and were established by the wife of one of the world's biggest celebrities... figure it out for yourself). They are primarily promoting ethics in fashion and opportunities to some of the world's poorest country. They are about being fair, not about charity nor pity for poor communities.
The company has always used some organic fabrics but put humanity and ethical business first, with a plan to increase the quota of organic fabrics each season. Read the fabric before you buy if organics is your ethics.
This season I love their summer dresses, young, casual and glamorous.
Little Green Dress
Australia
Fairtrade vs fair trade?
'Fairtrade '(one word, capital letter) has the international certification, but two words 'fair trade' does not.
It is common for brands to use 'fair trade' while they are awaiting official certification so the products are worth considering. Also, certification can be costly and a project may prefer to put profits back into their community rather than paying a foreign organisation.
However, there is no legal standard to using this word so it could also be 'green wash'. Look at the products, where was it made, ask questions and use your common sense.
Little Green Dress make clothes that set you apart from the crowd, trans-seasonal, & unique in everyway. Intentionally they are not mass produced, either individual one off garments, or one of a limited edition run, they are slips, dresses, skirts, pants, shirts, & tops, that can be layered or worn on their own, day or evening.
Copenhagen Artificial Fur
In Australia fur has never been fashionable nor necessary. I was a little shocked on my first trip to Europe to discover people actually walk down the street in fur! Perhaps in colder climates there is an extra dilemma when it comes to dressing ethically.
Earlier this year Copenhagen Artificial Fur finally opened their first shop in Copenhagen, Denmark after years of research and preparation.The collection is produced in Denmark, and materials are sourced within the EU (European Union) thereby cutting transport time and ensuring proper working conditions during production.
It is also believed that the production of artificial fur admits less pollution than the farming and processing of animal fur.
The designer Carsten Juhl, who has previously designed luxury wedding dresses for a 5th Avenue bridal atelier in New York City, is the man behind the elegant design and together with company founder Gitte Lakshoej he has created a unique concept that encapsulates both ethics, quality and high fashion.
When considering fur, you decide the lesser evil, animal cruelty vs synthetic pollutants.
Europe
Read all the tags not just the "eco/green/fairtrade/certified..." tag. Don't take certification for granted, it might be paid for or a marketing tool.
There is usually a small tag on the right inside seam that will tell you the washing instructions, where it was made and the fabrics. This can be more telling than the 'eco tag'. Is the fabric biodegradable? Does it require gentle/handwash and ironing ?
(Handwash and gentle care are good- they mean no or less harmful finishes were applied and longevity. It will also be more energy efficient if you don't need to dry clean or use a clothes dryer).
Viridis Luxe
Viridis Luxe can do high sleek fashion or simple elegant basics, such as the tops made from silk, bamboo and cashmere. The US label was one of the first to join the dots between quality and organic , ethical fashion.
Beware of the 'green wash'. Organic cotton does not maketh organic if it is smothered in toxic dyes and finishes that flow into the rivers of developing countries. An approved chemical dye does not maketh 'green', it just means that it's not toxic.
Organic starts from crops and moves through non-chemical processing. You'd expect it would not be produced undersweatshop conditions and thoughtful with energy. Read the label thoroughly before you buy.
Find out more:
John Patrick Organics
John Patick Organics of New York. The organic cotton is from Japan, India and Peru, the linen if from Italy and wool is organic wool from Australia. Only available in the US .
USA
ethcial fashion shopping, hemp designer trousers
hemp pants
for the ethical fashion shopper
WuYong
China
If you think that Chinese fashion cannot be thoughtful, artful and eco-friendly, look at designer Me Ke and her labels Exception and Wuyoung (Useless).
In February 2007, Wuyong was presented at Paris Fashion Week for the first time and the innovative concept attracted much attention within both art and fashion circles.
Taking discarded items such as an old paint covered sheet Ma Ke transformed it into a dress, the cracked paint creating a beautiful pattern on the garment, and an old tarpaulin is constructed into a coat of magnificent volume.
For Ma Ke this focus on personal interpretation and transformation is a way of highlighting the importance of the individual and the inestimable value of life.
Ma Ke is more of a leader than a practical label. She is far a head of most designers and ethics seem to subconsciously come from within.
For more: http://www.vam.ac.uk/collections/fashion/fashion_motion/ma_ke/index.html
People Tree
UK, Japan, India
People Tree was conceived in 1991 by a Brit living in Japan and has built a reputation as a major force in support and technical assistance for artisan groups in the developing world.
People Tree Foundation hopes to document ‘How To’ Fair Trade Fashion, so that one day, high street brands can partner with a weaving project and deliver the same benefits.
In addition, they provide a practicle and femine range of clothings (especially dresses) for the mainstream market and are widely available in the UK or online.
