Fashion4Development

Kismot: Combating Poverty and Conflict through Fashion

2009-12-11T15:22:00.003-05:00

December 10th marked the launch date of artist collective and social enterprise Kismot. Kismot Developing World Artist Collective is committed to community development through art and music. Kismot clothing and accessories are designed by internationally acclaimed artists from the developing world. 100% of profits from every Kismot item purchased directly support projects throughout the world that use art and music to empower disadvantaged communities.
"While these projects can offer much needed healing and hope in urban slums and refugee camps,” says founder Raj Chowdhury, “the cost of financing art based workshops and cultural centers can be prohibitive.”

Kismot’s latest collaboration is with artists all over the world including Bangladesh, Colombia, and Brazil to produce a line of clothing and accessories. The initial line consists of four artist-designed fitted T-shirts. Each T-shirt features images inspired by the artist's culture, including folklore, calligraphy, and native dance with 100% of profits from every purchased item to finance projects throughout the world that use art and music to empower disadvantaged communities.

T-Shirts cost $25 and can be purchased online at www.kismot.com

CALAMARIe: Colombian artistry at its best

2009-12-09T20:45:00.015-05:00

On Sunday December 6th, CALAMARIe officially launched its first collection of hand made jewelry and handbags to the awaiting DC public. The collection offered beautiful hand crafted clutches and accessories designed using traditional production techniques from Colombia.

Cataline Lematire, founder of CALAMARIe, put the wheels in motion on her passion to work with artisans and designers form her home country in the summer of 2009. Only a few short months later, Catalina's first collection debuted with great reviews and numerous orders at its Holiday Mercado.

CALAMARIe's goal is to develop long-term, relationships with designers and artisans, promote fair trade and social responsibility and help build their capacity and support their growth. All the products are hand crafted using natural and local materials and often recycle or reuse them in innovative ways.

If you missed the Mercado, don't fret. CALAMARIe will be holding a holiday trunk show at Local 16 (202 265-2828) on December 10th from 6pm. Not only will you get the chance to own a wonderful piece of Colombian artistry but you will also be donating to charity (a percentage of proceeds from the sales will be donated to Miram's Kitchen in DC).

Photo by Leslie Esterrich

Top 20 Finalists of Garment Workers to Compete

2009-11-27T10:40:00.004-05:00

Top 20 finalists of Cambodian garment workers will compete in a dress and T-shirt fashion show marking the final event of 'I am Precious' 2009 campaign. Ten dresses and ten T-shirts designed by the finalists will be presented on a catwalk. The winners from each category will be announced this Sunday 29 November.

'I am Precious' campaign and competition aims to promote self value of garment workers by increasing awareness of their work, abilities and skills and encouraging them to realize their potential. The competition also aims to showcase that there are rewarding careers in the industry. The campaign hopes to broaden garment workers' opportunities for career growth while contributing to industry's reputation and to the economic and social development of Cambodia. Moreover, the campaign contributes to the positive image of the industry globally through international brands involvement.

The selected top ten designs of each category are made into dresses and T-shirts and will be judged by two separate panels composed of government representatives and experts from the Cambodian garment and fashion industry.

Prizes include pattern making training course, health insurance, reproductive health care service, sewing machines, TVs, bicycles, Wing accounts with mobile phones and SIM cards, dresses and T-shirts designed by finalists themselves and cash. Moreover, the first winner for T-shirt design will be co-designing a new T-shirt to be distributed to garment workers. The prizes are sponsored by H&M, Levi Strauss & Co., Disney, GAP, Wing, Marie Stopes International Cambodia and many others.

'I am Precious' is a joint campaign under a collaboration of Ministry of Women's Affairs (MoWA), Ministry of Labour and Vocational Training (MoLVT), Ministry of Commerce (MoC), ILO Better Factories Cambodia, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Garment Manufacturers' Association in Cambodia (GMAC), Garment Industry Productivity Center (GIPC), Unions and Precious Girl Magazine.

For more info click here

Holiday shopping feel good buy

2009-11-20T18:13:00.004-05:00

Working in development, its hard not to feel conflicted about spending lots of money over the holidays for presents and clothes I don't need (though I must admit I do confuse want and need a lot more than I should!). However, I recently discovered Kate Spade's new line of mittens and hats knitted by women from war torn Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Since 2005, kate spade new york and Women for Women International have been working together to promote micro-enterprises for women in the still recovering communities throughout Bosnia and Herzegovina. Roughly a third of Bosnia and Herzegovina's workforce is unemployed. The slow recovering economy in Bosnia and Herzegovina has left women especially vulnerable, as they struggle to earn a living in the face of an unemployment rate reaching over 50 percent.

Starting in November 2009, the winter collection of kate spade new york will feature merchandise hand-crafted by WfWI graduates in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The women, who have received a year of rights and vocational skills training at the hands of Women for Women International.

Suddenly shopping for winter woolies does feel more like a need.

Read more on the partnership of WfWI and Kate Spade and shop at here

Eco Fashion designers competing for the Vogue CFD Award

2009-11-07T16:11:00.004-05:00

The CFDA/Vogue Fund helps emerging designers purse their design business plans. The prestigious award is seen as an accelerator of fashion careers and previous winners of this award include Alexander Wang and Proenza Schouler.
This year, amongst the ten finalists are two eco-designers Monique Pean and Alabama Chanin.

The fact that there are eco designers amongst the finalists says a lot about how eco fashion is competing with mainstream designers. It also recognizes that there are many talented designers who produce high quality, trend setting designs as well as giving back to the environment. The both certainly have my vote to win!

Sonic Fabric Ties

2009-10-31T16:48:00.004-05:00

In collaboration with Julio Cesar artist Alyce Santoro has created a men’s tie made out of recycled cassette tapes.

Not only is sonic fabric eco friendly (it is made from 50% recycled audio cassette tape and 50% cotton) it is also audible, the sounds are contained in the weave and can be heard by running a tape head over the surface.

For information on where to buy the ties (or any other clothing made from sonic fabric) check out Sonic Fabric

Recycle your Bra for Breast Cancer Awareness Month

2009-10-28T22:05:00.003-05:00

I love my home country (the UK) for so may reasons but one of things that I am so proud of is how eco-fashion forward the market is. Particularly when it comes to the creative ideas for recycling your wardrobe. The latest - recycling bras in partnership with Breast Cancer Awareness.

For those of us who don't live in the UK fortunately there are still ways. There are several companies who recycle bras, take Arizona based Bosom Buddy Bra Recycling who will give away your discarded bras (in good condition) to a new owner.

The Uniform Project

2009-10-23T14:53:00.002-05:00

It's the ultimate inspiration for being sustainble. In May 2009, Brooklyn-based Sheena Matheiken raised funds for the Akanksha Fund by pledging to wear the same dress for an entire year, reinventing it daily with sustainable accessories.

To keep up with Sheena's creative looks for her chosen dress The Uniform Project

Getting Feedback on your designs

2009-10-22T15:24:00.002-05:00

If you are a new designer who has just entered the eco market and are interested in getting feedback on your line/brand then read on.

I have worked with many producing co-op's and artisanal designers and as their eco advocate I want nothing more than to see them succeed onto mainstream brands. However nobody ever gets it perfect first time round, and business is about accepting some defeats in the pursuit of success.

Some of these eco brands do always have what we fashionistas are looking for. This is mainly because such producing co-op ultimately hope that people will be buy (and should buy) their product because it is eco or socially responsible. Whilst that may be responsible for a new customer, rarely will such a strategy turn into repeat orders/sales.

In this increasingly competitive environment, spurred on by the "survival of the fittest" in the economic downturn, I feel it is important for new designers as well as exisiting designers to re-evaluate how their lines compare to mainstream labels, with respect to price, wearability and current trends.

If you are interested in have a discussion about your brand and getting feedback from fashion buyers, fellow designers, customers and marketing experts please email info@avaniribbon.com

London and New Fashion Weeks: Green Shows

2009-09-25T16:47:00.001-05:00

It is so exciting to see the Green/Eco sections of two of the world’s biggest fashion weeks, growing in strength each season. One of my biggest fears over the past twelve months is that green fashion would suffer in a time when people are looking for cheap alternatives. Designers would lose funding, boutiques will close down etc etc. However, it seems that the designers are demonstrating that eco fashion is not just a trend but a growing way of life that will be here for a long time to come.

The Green Show debuted this season at New York Fashion Week and it took New York City by storm, demonstrating that Eco Fashion is every bit as trendy worthy as mainstream designers.

More on the designers and collections at
Esthetica @ London Fashion Week: The Green Shows @ New York Fashion Week

Ethical Fashion Forum: Article Africa and Fashion

2009-09-01T09:54:00.006-05:00

I just wanted to share this recent article written for the Ethical Fashion Forum

Sub-Saharan Africa loses about 5% of GDP through shrinking trade income, or some $28.4 billion annually, a figure that exceeded total aid flows and debt relief to the region in 2003. (2006 UN Human Development Report)

Poverty is a daily battle for millions of people in Sub Saharan Africa. Life expectancy at birth was 46 in 2004, as opposed to an average of 67 for the rest of the world. Infant mortality is more than double the global average at 102 per 1000 live births (2004) 45% of the population lives on less than $1 a day, and an estimated 25,000000 people are living with AIDS (2003)

At the same time, the world’s consumers are spending around US$1 trillion worldwide buying clothes. Clothing and textiles represent about seven per cent of world exports. Through the ethical fashion movement, opportunities exist for African fashion businesses to successfully compete in a lucrative international market for fashion

Fashion: Made in Africa

Trade in fashion products provides key opportunities for communities in Africa. Fashion is labour intensive, requires limited capital input, and with good design, traditional skills bring a high premium. In Kenya, statistics show that every job in the garment sector in Kenya generates 5 other jobs. In Lesotho, thanks to the apparel industry (representing 94% of merchandise exports) GDP per capita increased from $558 in 2001 to
$3000 in 2004.

The current demand for sustainable sourcing, coupled with innovation in skills and recycling and organic cotton, creates a USP for Fashion from Africa, and an important opportunity to boost trade.

Eco Fashion in Downtown Silver Spring

2009-07-30T13:14:00.003-05:00

The Street Glam Fashion Event will take place in Downtown Silver Spring's Ellsworth Drive on Saturday, August 15, 2009, from 4-8:30pm. The event will feature a fashion expo, two runway shows, and a VIP Fashion Bash from 9pm to 12am.

The outdoor fashion expo will include designer exhibits, live mannequins, and fashion art displays. Following the expo, two European-style runway shows titled "Street" and "Glam" will commence with designs from internationally recognized retailers, including Rupalee and Peruvian Trend, presented by Avani Ribbon.

The VIP Fashion Bash will begin after the runway show at 924 Ellsworth Drive. From 9pm to midnight, guests will enjoy photo-ops and meet-and-greets with designers and models, fashion industry networking, a silent auction, music, and refreshments.

The fashion expo and runway show viewing areas are free to the public. Tickets for seats surrounding the runway will be sold for $75. Tickets for seats plus VIP admission will be sold for $125. In the event of rain, the runway show will be held at 924 Ellsworth Drive.

Please visit www.dssfashionshow.com or www.avaniribbon.com for more details.

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Blumpari: NYC Design Competition Handbag Designer of the year

2009-07-22T20:32:00.004-05:00

We are so proud of Cherry Kwunyeun, designer and founder of Blumpari who has worked closely with us since 2007. Blumpari recently won NYC Design Competition for "Most Socially Responsible Handbag" and we couldn't be more proud!

For those that don't know about Blumpari, pronounced "bloom-pari," comes from the designer's Thai given name Parichad, meaning the "eternal heavenly blossoming flower." The budding social enterprise seeks to link hot designers, micro-financed producers, corporate partners, and savvy consumers to support cultural and economic sustainability globally.

Beaded ’80s Art Deco-style clutch handbag replaces boyfriend

2008-12-06T12:46:00.001-05:00

Beaded ’80s Art Deco-style clutch handbag replaces boyfriend

Posted using ShareThis

LEVI’S® DENIM IN A SHOE

2008-12-04T17:40:00.003-05:00

After gathering countless pairs of Levi's® Jeans worldwide, the pairs are washed and then manually cut-to-measure and re-assembled so that certain parts of the pants can be made into the shoes' uppers. Highlighting the pants' watch pockets, copper rivets, yellow stitchings, belt loops and buttons, the Levi's® Re-Used Jeans Shoes are sure to look cutting edge and stylishly unique; not to mention one-of-a-kind!

http://www.levisloop.com.ph/article.aspx?pg=81

Eco-Holiday Party Wear

2008-11-28T14:18:00.014-05:00

It's that time of year again when we must starting thinking about what we are going to wear to the office Holiday party. If you are a diva like me that refuses to be seen in a dress I have worn previously around colleagues, please see below for my most wanted party dresses this season

Annie Greenabelle Organic Prom Dress - available at www.equaclothing.com

Debbi Little Parachute Dress -- available at www.equaclothing.com

You can't gp wrong with a LBD Larsen Gray - organic cotton dress available at Shop Bop

If you don’t want to buy a new dress for the party season it’s all about accessories. Your little black dress will look fantastic with some gold accessories for a real festive feel.

Clothing and Conscience: Voices of the Fashion Industry and Corporate Social Responsibility

2008-10-29T15:05:00.001-05:00

By Vanessa K Ferragut

I know I’m not the first to stand in front of my closet for hours wondering what to wear. I know I won’t be the last try on seven different outfits, narrow it down to three and still ask my roommate, or friend, or significant other to tell me which one looks better. Ask ourselves, if we can devote so much time, energy, and mental anguish into figuring out what to wear, why is it that we still aren’t conscious of what we’re wearing?

The answer is that you probably didn’t attend “Clothing and Conscience: Voices of the Fashion Industry and Corporate Social Responsibility” hosted by the House of Sweden on October 2, 2008. If you had, you would have been catapulted into a time of fashion reflection – a time to think about where the products we buy, wear, give, etc are coming from, and where they are going once retired from our closets.
But with the help of government agencies, nonprofits, designers, and entrepreneurs what was once thought to be a fad is slowly becoming a growing trend and one that isn’t losing momentum even in slumping economies. These agencies and organizations are encouraging corporate social responsibility and demonstrating that hard work and knowledge are proven tools in taking what we think is a good idea and turning it into good practice.

That afternoon, guest speakers from the Swedish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the U.S. State Department, Nudie Jeans Co., DEM Collective, Fashion Fights Poverty and Rena Kläder (the Swedish branch of the Clean Clothes Campaign) got together at the House of Sweden for an afternoon seminar on how the garment industry has changed over the years; where it’s been, where it is today and where we want to see it go in the future.

Moderator Ann Thorpe, author of The Designer’s Atlas of Sustainability” stressed the importance of putting conscience into activism and outlined her sustainable design measures. These are the steps needed to integrate conscience into clothing. It starts with the market (competition), moves into government support (compliance), and finally trickles down to the nonprofits (activism).
Malin Eriksson, of Rena Kläder, discussed the role Clean Clothes Campaign plays on raising consumer awareness, putting pressure on companies to “play fair,” and working with trade unions and NGOs in making their words stronger. She notes that while a lot has been accomplished, still more needs to be done such as implementing a basic living wage for workers across the board, transparency, focus on freedom of association, international framework agreements, and integrated corporate social responsibility.

But the event didn’t end there. That following night on October 3, select guests were treated to a fashion show featuring Nudie Jeans Co. in “Recycled Denim Maniacs.” Maria Levin, founder and designer, took old jeans and recycled and recreated them into 18th century gowns. Nudie Jeans sources all their cotton from organic cotton growers where every stage of the cotton is produced, spun and dyed in accordance with ecological procedures. Learn more about this designer’s work and human rights initiatives at http://www.nudiejeans.com.
We encourage everyone reading this to take a few seconds, of what could ultimately be an hour-long decision process, next time we’re shopping and really think about what we purchase. As consumers we have more power then we give ourselves credit for. We can be our own personal activist – after all, the hottest thing this season is having a conscience!

Can fashion be combined with Corporate Social Responsibility?

2008-09-19T11:51:00.002-05:00

The above is the topic of discussion at the House of Sweden on Thursday October 2nd, followed by a catwalk show on Friday 3rd October to showcase Nudie Jeans recycled Denim.

At the seminar “Clothing and Conscience”, founder and designer of Nudie Jeans Maria Levin will talk about her passions and visions. At the seminar a panel of leading Swedish and American companies and organizations in the field will discuss sustainable fashion in connection with corporate social responsibility. Worn-out jeans have been given a new life by young Swedish designers in a project called “Recycled Denim Maniacs”. On October 3rd you can see the fantastic costumes on the catwalk at House of Sweden.

Since 2001 the Swedish brand Nudie Jeans has been producing jeans in premium denim. Nudie Jeans chooses its suppliers and partners with great care. For every season the number of garments made from organic cotton increases. Nudie Jeans has been supporting Amnesty International since 2001. To celebrate the 60th anniversary of the UN Declaration of Human Rights 30 artists were asked to interpret the 30 articles. The artworks ended up on T-shirts sold for the benefit of Amnesty International. So far they have received more than 325.000 US dollars. The artworks will be exhibited at House of Sweden during the event on October 3rd.

In preparation for the Recycling Denim event, F4D gives you some tips on recycling your old jeans,

How to Recycle Denim

1) Fix them up - Did you know you can have your jeans repaired with the threads resewn into them to repair them. Visit Denim Therapy to find out more about having your jeans repaired.

2). Recycle them - for example a movement that is collecting old denim jeans to turn into insulation to be used in Habitat for Humanity houses.

3) Hold your own denim drive. Contact your local Habitat for Humanity and find out how to hold denim drive and donate your jeans.

4). If you live in the UK, you can have them made into sandals for you - Recycleyourjeans.com is a UK company that turns your old jeans into your new sandals.

To attend the House of Sweden events please RSVP to fashion4development@gmail.com by September 30th

2008-08-19T14:54:00.002-05:00

Sourcing Eco-Fashion at one of the World's largest Fashion Trade Shows

Fashion buyers all over USA will be descending to MAGIC, one of the largest most preeminent trade show in the international fashion industry, which takes place at the Las Vegas Convention Center this weekend. Fashion retailers credit MAGIC as the #1 resource in the world in discovering new vendors. So, it is a great to know that this year MAGIC is premiering the ECOLLECTION. ECOLLECTION at MAGIC is a juried selection of approximately 70 environmentally and socially conscious exhibitors. The exhibit represents the most inclusive eco arena in the business, featuring a powerful and targeted buying and selling opportunity, educational programs and activities led by industry notables, networking and entertainment to further the growth of the eco fashion community.

ECOLLECTION at MAGIC’s momentum pointedly indicates a shift in consciousness and strategies throughout the marketplace. Knowing that many of our favourite boutiques and high street stores will be browsing eco vendors for their Fall/Winter lines is truly a huge step to mainstreaming this niche but growing part of the industry. This represents the potential tha eco-fashion has to compete with vendors and suppliers in the mainstream. Let's hope that the ECOLLECTION at MAGIC continues to feature and grow as a prominent part of the trade show in the future.

Ecco Domani adding sustainability to Fashion program

2008-07-17T15:26:00.001-05:00

Ecco Domani is adding "green" to its annual Fashion Foundation program.

The winemaker kicked off the eighth season of the Ecco Domani Fashion Foundation on Monday. The initiative provides emerging designers in women's wear, men's wear and accessories design with a $25,000 grant toward their fashion week presentation. As in previous years, Ecco Domani will award four women's wear, one men's wear and one accessories award.

For the 2009 edition, the company is adding a sustainable design category to its lineup, which is being made available to a women's or men's wear apparel designer who, through their work, is committed to the environment, social equity and economic viability.

From article in WWD (Thursday 17th)

Fashion & Recycling

2008-06-16T15:26:00.001-05:00

Recycling and reusing in fashion, two shopping practices that are eco-chic and high on style

Looking ahead to the summer collections? Keen to trade in your winter coat for a summer frock? Well you can, by organizing a clothes swap. Raiding the wardrobes of your friends, family and even your grandmother, can be worthwhile in finding some of those one-off key vintage pieces. Every fashionista knows that clothing constructed and sold off the rack before the mid-1960s was top quality, which is why much of it is still in excellent condition in your mother's or grandmother's closet, or around the corner in the local thrift or vintage shop. Even if your salvaged garment is from the mid-'80s (instead of the mid-'50), your sense of style, the influence of current trends, and a fresh interpretation of an old look can bring new life to even very inexpensive thrift-shop buys.
Every year in the UK alone, consumers purchase 2.15 million tonnes of new clothing, shoes and accessories. In order to make room for all of the new, we are throwing away the old! Over 900,000 million items of clothing are thrown away each year in the UK alone. Discarded clothing and shoes are typically sent to landfill. Textiles present particular problems in landfill. Synthetic (man-made fibres) products do not decompose.

Meanwhile, the fashion industry is producing new styles and trends for the high street at a frantic pace. This is having a negative effect on the environment as virgin resources are being used faster than they can be produced, toxic pesticides and other chemicals are being used to grow cotton and energy is being used to transport products around the globe. Specifically, the grasslands of the Alashan Plateau in China have been turned into a dustbowl due to over grazing of goats for cashmere. In Uzbekistan, 85% of the Aral Sea has disappeared as a result of drainage for cotton production.

One example of large scale clothes swaps is the Visa Swap in London. For the second year running, Visa is teaming up with textile recycling banks to organize Visa Swap, an innovative way for unwanted clothes to be re-used. Visa Swap invites all fashion lovers to gather unwanted designer and high-street clothes, shoes and bags and swap them for those that you do.
All reused clothing is green, since – by being salvaged – it doesn't find itself piling up in a landfill for all of eternity. It may take a little time and patience to hunt for individual items, but when you uncover those truly one-of-a-kind pieces that rival many of today's most popular designers, second-hand shopping is totally worth all the work. So go ahead and shop with wild abandon in your local thrift or vintage clothing store.

Primark - something didn't add up?

2008-06-16T15:05:00.002-05:00

I haveto admit that I have bought the odd thing or 2 from Primark, but even I am shocked at the recent investigation uncovering Primark’s use of child laborers. When I go into my Primark I often scratch my head at how cheap some of the items are in there, surely something has to give?

A Panaroma investigation recently proved my suspicion. They found that child laborers in India were being used in carrying out embroidery and sequin work. Illegal sub-contracting had taken place, and Primark stated that it only accounted for 0.04% of the retailers sourcing.

Primark says that it will terminate relations with suppliers guilty of transgressions and those unwilling to make changes.

Unfortunately the addiction that people have to shopping is having damaging effects, we are buying 1/3 more clothes than a decade ago and we are paying for them at ridiculously cheaper prices than ever before. Places like Primark are filling that demand, but we as the consumers need to stop and think that buying clothes will have to cost a bit more if they are going to reflect their toll on the environment and people who make them.

Visa Picks Up On Swap Trend

2008-06-09T11:21:00.001-05:00

VISA SWAP’ is a 3 week pop-up swap shop opening on London’s Brompton Road. A collaboration between Visa and TRAID to ‘encourage sustainable fashion through ethical swapping’, this promises to be the biggest swap event yet. Drop off your old clothes in the first 2 weeks (from May 31st ‘07) and in return you get a Visa Swap chip card which is charged with redeemable points. The more expensive your donated item is, the more points you earn. Then on the 3rd weekend (16th & 17th June ‘07) it’s Party Time: you can spend all your points on other items in the pop-up store! Kylie, Phoebe Philo and Giles Deacon have already dropped off their old clothes! And as if that’s not exciting enough, there’ll be customizing workshops as well as stylists and hair and make up artists on hand to make you look even more beautiful in your new free clothes!

2008-05-19T11:22:00.000-05:00

People are always asking me, what does ethical mean? What’s the difference between fair trade and eco clothing? Also, how do I shop ethically? We are all confused, why should we buy an organic T-Shirt and who will benefit.

So this month F4D gets down to nitty-gritty to give you some facts and shopping tips.

THE FACTS

Firstly there is the human element and the effect clothing production has on underpaid, mistreated workers. Then the environmental impact that comes in multiple forms, such as the use of chemicals. At least 8,000 chemicals are used to turn raw materials into clothes, many
of these are toxic and pollute the environment, local water and also cause lasting harm to workers. Polyester is mass produced cheaply, however it is not biodegradable. Cotton has become the focus of media debate as it makes up 40 percent of world fiber consumption yet has to be treated heavily with damaging toxic chemicals.

According to UNESCO, growing enough cotton for one pair of jeans requires 2,867 gallons of water and a dose of some of the
world's most hazardous pesticides.

That’s the same volume of water carried in a C-130 firefighting
plane. A simple T-shirt requires 719 gallons (the water in one small fire truck) and a cotton bud requires 1 gallon! Growing cotton accounts for 24 per cent of global insecticide use and is believed to account for one million cases of poisoning and as many as 20,000 deaths a year.

WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE?

Eco – the most “woolly of all terms. It takes into account the environment, health of consumers and working conditions of the producers. It is not necessarily organic or fair trade.
Ethical – companies that follow the “Ethical Trading Standards” and subscribe to the following, no child labour, living wages to be paid and no discrimination of excessive working hours. However members are not obliged to meet these standards.
Fair trade – pays fair prices to producers reflecting true cost of production, promotes gender equality commits to long relationships to provide stability and invests in social and environmental projects.
Organic – not sprayed with pesticides, fungicides herbicides or chemical fertilizers, which is better for the environment and workers

HOW TO SHOP ETHICALLY?

Know before you go – get online and do your own research before you leave the house
Buy less cheap fashion – if someone is charging $10 for a top, think about where it was made, who made it and under what conditions
Ask about provenance of a garment – how, where, when was the product made?
Ask yourself whether a product is organic, renewable or recycled?
Recycle all the clothes you own already or organize a clothes swap with your friends

J Brand Green Label

2008-04-23T11:27:00.001-05:00

Promoting environmental awareness, J Brand introduces J Brand Green Label, offering your favorite fits with a smaller eco footprint. Two classic (and much beloved) J Brand styles, the Monroe Wide Leg and Love Story bell bottom, are crafted from organic cotton and culled from pesticide-free fields.

Each pair comes with an online exclusive Green Label canvas tote (pictured above) printed with helpful eco-living tips, which you can also check out here. Use the tote in lieu of plastic bags and make a difference, one bag at a time.

http://www.revolveclothing.com/brandpages/JBrand.jsp?&d=5&sc=Green+Label