I had no idea ethical pests looked so adorable, but I met two recently at the Ethical Trade Initiative, conference.
I was there to research for “The Future of Fashion,” a conference I was speaking at the following week at the London College of Fashion.
Speakers involved trade unionists, ethical policy managers and even the Minister of Trade, Gareth Thomas.
I must confess, I wanted to contradict the numerous retailers saying that customers need a wide range of choices, but I felt slightly under qualified.
Actually I happen to think that the customer is inundated with unnecessary choices and with limited time, finds it hard to sort out the ethical purchases from the rest.
We need clearer labels. Did you know that 100% organic cotton does not mean workers have been fairly paid or that energy consumption has been addressed? The £4.00 organic t-shirts on your high street are still exploitative of workers and the planet
Anyway, much braver than me, were Tara Scott, (left) and Stacey Dooley, (right) who later stood up to say they felt retailers should be more transparent about their processes.
Not so that we could all think badly of them but so that we could be aware of the real manufacturing procedure. If you remember they featured in a BBC programme and travelled to India to learn how their clothes were made. Shocked with the reality, they resolved to try and help promote awareness amongst others their age.
I did rather fall in love with them both and they invite you to join their ethical pest movement. It’s a simple matter of asking questions to retailers to show you want answers and improvement.
Related posts:
