ethical fashion

[altitude]

this is an interesting read:-

Rise in demand for ethical fashion

Nearly 72% of British consumers think ethical production of the clothes they buy is important – up sharply from 59% last year. The findings were published this week according to the latest Ethical Clothing Report from TNS Worldpanel Fashion, conducted in June this year. The most dramatic shift in attitudes occurred among young consumers: Last year 60% of under-25s said they bought the clothes they wanted and didn’t care how they were produced; this year only 36% say they do this.
At the same time people are more sceptical than ever of the ethical claims made by certain retailers and manufacturers: Over half (57%) express such reservations, a significant rise from last year’s 45%, and two thirds (67%) say retailers should use ethical practices across all their ranges, not just such marked as “ethical”.

When it comes to the factors that matter most, an overwhelming 72% of people say an end to child labour and sweat shops is very important, closely followed by offering producers a fair price (59%). While this is in line with last year’s results, consumers have become more concerned about the social impact of clothing production. In a list of criteria that are important to them when it comes to “ethical” clothing, respondents now rate “benefits to the producing community” higher than “no damage to the environment” (49% vs. 43% respectively), while “profits given to charity” and “organic fabric” remain the least important factors at 25% and 17% respectively.

An increasing number of consumers are also prepared to put their money where their mouth is: One third (33%) say they are willing to pay more for ethically produced clothing and footwear.

While one might think of young people as most concerned about ethical and environmental issues, the interest and the demand for ethical clothing is actually highest among consumers over 55. They make up one third (31%) of those who think ethical clothing is “very” or “quite” important, are more sceptical about ethical claims (63% of all 55+) and more willing to pay a bit extra (38% of all 55+) for ethical clothing.

Elaine Giles, Research Manager, TNS Worldpanel Fashion, said: “With the increasing attention brought to ethical issues by the media, awareness of the potential cost to humanity for ‘unethical clothing’ has reached unprecedented levels. Retailers must wake up to this significant consumer demand and increase their efforts to demonstrate their trustworthiness across all their ranges. Consumers will not be convinced by what they perceive to be tokenistic actions. There is a strong need for retailers to communicate their ethical practices more clearly and if they do this well, they can create a real point of difference for themselves that wins consumers’ trust.”

These findings are based on an annual TNS Worldpanel Fashion survey, collating the opinions of 7,000 demographically representative British individuals.

[Dunnymonster]

If the queues in uber cheap fashion store Primark are anything to go by, I very much dought most people really care. Its easy to say you care when asked, whether you are willing to put your money where your mouth is, is a totally different thing. I like to think I would be bothered, but its easy for me to say because I have the disposible income to buy designer fashion gear, given my circumstances were different then maybe I'd be just be like everybody else.

[CD]

It's a sad state when brands specially label clothing 'eco friendly, organic, fair trade, ethical etc' as a selling point.
Shouldn't all this stuff be the 'norm' and brands/items that use cheap labour - below minimum wage, chemically treated fabrics etc - should have to label this as such.

I really dislike places like Primark - pretty much everything they do has a negative effect on someone or something. They produced clothing which is so cheap it can just be binned after a few months wear (if that!) - provided it lasts that long. Because of this it makes 'normal' clothing or eco friendly, fair trade etc appear far more expensive in comparision.

It comes down to money. People always want things as cheap as possible. If this type of clothing wasn't produced then people couldn't by it.

I would rather pay a bit more for an item which I know would be manufactured in a fair way and have a minimum amount of damage to the environment - locally & internationally!

[altitude]

times they are a changing. the new generation will guide us to the promised land

[insomniax]

i agree, ethical material and production is the future of fashion.

[Dunnymonster]

Originally Posted by altitude

times they are a changing. the new generation will guide us to the promised land

Hallelujah!

[altitude]

i'm in training to be an ethical fashion high priest. come to me with your fashion confessions.

[Dunnymonster]

Originally Posted by altitude

i'm in training to be an ethical fashion high priest. come to me with your fashion confessions.

I bought a pair of Gap jeans once!

[altitude]

Originally Posted by Dunnymonster

I bought a pair of Gap jeans once!

my son, you have committed an unforgiveable sin. your penance is to watch spurs play every saturday for a month.

[harrypothead]

great ethical fashion high priest i once owned a pair of bbc jeans. be merciful