Ethical fashion- what exactly is it? What is ethical fashion really about? These questions continue to stimulate much confusion within the fashion industry; and there’s no doubt that it is no simple explanation but hopefully this will shed some light…

The Ethical Fashion Forum’s definition of ethical fashion is based on best practice within the ethical fashion arena. Ethical fashion doesn’t necessarily have to be doing everything ethically, but must cover one or more of these areas:

- Using organic textiles

- Sustainability: in the styles, fabrics and business practices

- Recycling: recycled materials, re-using second hand fabrics, vintage & end of roll/scraps

- Incorporating fair labour standards within their remit. E.g. ETI Base Code

- Transparency: working towards utmost transparency within business practice.

What is ethical fashion about?  (In a nutshell of course!)

- Concerns the process of fair trade

- Promotes social and environmental responsibility in the fashion industry: ‘Responsible fashion’

- Maximising sustainability and minimising impact (on people and planet)

- Creativity and innovation (vintage, refashioning, new business solutions)

It’s difficult to define ethical fashion…

This is because it concerns ethics, and each person’s ethical frame of reference is different, it can be formed through culture, personality, environment, peers and many other influencing factors. So what one person may believe is acceptable, another may deem unacceptable. 

There are considerable philosophical arguments about ethics which needn’t be explored now but if you’re interested to find out more, Emmanuel Kant is often heralded as a key philosopher of ethics. For a more modern, easier take on ethics see Hunt, Rawls & Horn’s Understanding Ethical Decision Making.

Back to ethical fashion: so it has an ethical dimension which can be difficult to establish…But its actual meaning is also continually changing…standards fluctuate, new fibres and materials are continually produced; and the context of the world in which we live is ever shifting. Ethical fashion doesn’t mean the same as it did in the 90s and it won’t mean the same in another 10 years time. 

The Ethical Fashion Forum acknowledge that ethical fashion is forever developing and therefore promoting best practice acts as a strong underpinning to our work. There are a growing number of ethical brands out there all competing for a slice of the expanding ethical market. Take a peek at what’s out there now…

Buying ethical fashion

Today ethical fashion is increasingly design lead and there really are some winning pieces waiting to be snapped up...you’re less likely to spot someone else in the same dress and you can feel good about your purchase and look good at the same time.

There are some really great brands producing responsible fashion out there. If you want to support some of these brands but don’t know where to look, check out these places for inspiration:

Ascension

Fashion-Conscience

Devidoll London

Sustain Your Style

Frank & Faith

Estethica, the exhibition devoted to ethical fashion at London Fashion Week exhibits top ethical brands. One of my personal favourites is Goodone; their pieces are true sporty heaven, especially their bodycon dresses. Check out the designs and shop section on the Goodone website.

Shopping ethically can be shopping in vintage and charity shops, trying to reduce your shopping habit by thinking carefully before purchasing and consciously making an effort to invest in pieces which you can wear for years to come. (Some people find treasuring items of clothing a lot more satisfying). 

Updating accessories such as tights and nail varnish can give you a fresh sense of style without the personal expense of updating your wardrobe. On the high street don’t be afraid to ask retailers questions and seek out their socially responsible ranges (some stock organic cotton pieces and house ethical concessions).

If ethical fashion is something you find yourself feeling increasingly passionate about, sign up to the War On Want campaign: ‘LOVE fashion HATE sweatshops’

Alternatively get on down to the V&A Museum, London, this Saturday for a fun Restyling and Refashioning event!

You can also connect with others on the subject of ethical fashion: chat and get passionate about the issues at the monthly Ethical Fashion Social, which happens in cities all over the world!