Sustainable Fashion on the Shopgirls Blog

Last i wrote we were discussing the fashion industries ability to operate sustainably.  On the journey from designer to consumer there are many people, organizations, and resources involved. One major hurdle is the fact that traditionally the industry has been less than transparent; keeping manufacturing behind closed doors and much to be answered in terms of distribution and environmental impact.

read more here

White Gold: The True Cost of Cotton

Boycott cotton from Uzbekistan!

Video - http://www.ejfoundation.org/page325.html

More info: http://www.ejfoundation.org/pdf/white_gold_the_true_cost_of_cotton.pdf

Vintage

I hope this works - vintage Stores in Toronto!

Harry Potter Wizard an Eco Designer?

I was surprised to read that Emma Watson, the 19 yr old British actress from the Harry Potter movies, is now an unlikely eco-fashion designer. Recently, she has become a fashion muse – she’s the face for Burberry’s S/S ad campaign (pastel trenches!), and has another contract with Chanel, she’s been in Vogue and sat in the front row of every Fashion Week.

She recently collaborated with People Tree to develop her own eco-friendly and fair trade collection, ‘Love from Emma’ (view it here àhttp://www.peopletree.co.uk/category/emma-watson/)

Both womenswear and menswear, 80% of it is made from 100% organic and Fairtrade certified cotton and its made entirely by Fair Trade benefiting the lives of disadvantaged workers in Bangladesh, India and Nepal. Inspired by summers in Britain, it has some very cute cardigans as well as vests, summery dresses, jackets and accessories. Apparently Emma Watson created the collection to promote fair trade and eco-fashion to a younger generation because she felt that 16-25 yr olds weren’t aware of these issues and didn’t have enough choice when it comes to eco-fashion. Plus, she personally made the design decisions herself. Read an article on the collaboration here - http://cocoecomag.com/new/

Shameless Self Promotion

Hey guys,

I've been asked to write a regular post regarding eco-fashion for the shopgirls blog. Thought you might be interested.

Trash Fashion

Okay...so i'm not sure how to start this post without verbal diarrhea containing 101 personal opinions regarding fast trash fashion boutiques. You know the ones, racks upon racks inexpensive clothes that hit the store before the ink has dried on the latest street trend photos. It's no secret that many most of these rapidly produced ultra trendy garments are of poor fit and worse quality.  Yet the majority of the population continues to flock to these stores like a sheep, recently shorn and in need of a good coat. But instead of a good coat they end up with a shitty one that they'll throw out by next season along with a few sparkly shirts, some cheap tights, and a handful crappy plastic jewelry. We've all been there, emptying our closet into boxes and bags meant for the nearest goodwill. "The belt loops ripped the first time i put them on; i wore this shirt once but it got all twisty after i put it through the wash; i haven't EVEN worn this!; uhg what was i thinking?; etc etc etc." We sigh at the x amount of dollars wasted and try to comfort ourselves with the thought of someone with less dough who will find the article on the next 50% off day at the thrift store. But lets be honest, that top wont last anyone more than a year before it falls to threads. And dont even get me started on the community of talented designers who all have to compete for the tiny market of conscious shoppers while the rest of the fashion savvy refuse to pay for good quality creative design that actually costs what its worth, fits well, and is made to last.

I am aware that there are many people who study fashion with the hope of job security in the form of a product development position in a large corporate chain. And there are even more who's first thought for next weekend's outfit leads them right to the corner of Yonge and Dundas (or the nearest sale rack at the mall). I generally try to bite my tounge and lead by example. But after reading this article in the New York Times the angst has turned into a ball of rage sitting in the pit of my stomache. This is what happens when clothing is produced at such a rapid pace that theres not enough time to sell half of whats made before the next trend takes over. As if these giants arent moving things to the end of the product lifecycle quickly enough, countless stores are skipping the consumer all together and heading straight for the dumpster. All in the name of brand scarcity i suppose. Read the article and form your own oppinion but please think about what your supporting when you spend your hard earned cash on the 'perfect outfit' for your date next friday.

Trashfusion

Check out this call for entries put out by Canadian production company IHP. Trashfushion is a competition for designers from all walks of life " based on the ethos of Recycle - Reuse - Reduce - Refuse. " Designs will be presented on the runway at the Green Expo in Mississauga (May 1st) and Milton (May 15) and winners receive $1000, photos, media, and display at The Rage in Kensington market. Click here for more info.

Love Forever
Jamie

eco leather... oxymoron?

hello there...
i came across a neat website about ethical leather and vegan shoes. mind you, they are located in the UK. still, and interesting take on leather as a natural and renewable resource. i looked around a bit more and found a few interesting sites and articles for anyone who is interested in the eco side of leather. there are, however a host of other issues that arise within this leather debate. animal rights for one. the constant pouring of funds into the billion dollar meat industry that is, let's face it, adding to a lot of the destruction of the planet and let us not forget the excess amounts of chemicals required for the tanning process.
then there's the used, vegan and vintage sides of leather.
anyways.. just some thoughts. can leather actually be 'green'? i don't know.
care to comment? please do....

green shoes
eco leather? yes or no
eco leather, vintage and vegan

jen

After emerging from the Eaton Center

i took a deep breath and calmed my pulse. It's a place i try not to visit often. On a good day the underground crowds give me anxiety. Christmas season? Lets just say at 5'1/2" i'm most peoples elbow height and a black eye just in time for the holidays is not my idea of photogenic. But i needed winter boots and sometimes there's just no other option for someone with limited time and limited funds. Which brings me to the point. Where are you doing your Christmas shopping? I know the mall seems like a quick way to cross everyone off your list but i'm here to urge you to shop local this Christmas season. Think of all the local artists and designers (soon to be you) who will appreciate your purchase way more than any sales person in the mall. The money you spend in Kensington Market, Parkdale, or The Beaches will go right back to the local economy and the gifts you find will be original, creative, and good quality. Besides, the snow has yet to fall in our corner of the world and some fresh air between stores will do way more for your mood than the escalators and tacky Christmas decorations. My personal fave place to buy local? Shopgirls Gallery Boutique (its just west of Dufferin on Queen). It's all Canadian small run pieces including work by current and former Ryerson students. The FTA also has a shop sustainable initiative happening this holiday season. So DO IT! You'll be glad you did.

Love Forever,
Jamie

Merry Christmas and labour rights...

If you have ever thought about where your clothing was made, you have probably thought about sweatshops. And if you are like me, this makes you angry because you cannot believe that people can allow other people to work and live under such horrible conditions. And it also makes you angry because you have no idea what to do. Stop shopping? Boycott? Scream? Go naked?

What I usually do is write a letter. (Although screaming feels good sometimes...and nudity...need I say more?) I write a letter to a clothing company that I like to shop at asking if ALL their employees know their code of conduct? If the workers making the clothing in the factories off shore make a living wage as opposed to minimum wage? (minimum wage is most often not enough money to buy food and shelter) I ask if they can guarantee that the T-Shirt I am wearing from their store is made in completely fair conditions?

So this Christmas, when you are doing your Christmas shopping, take a few minutes and send off a friendly strongly worded letter to a store of choice. If you do not get a timely response, follow up. And keep following up until you hear back. Essentially, bother them as much as possible so they know that they have customers that are concerned about the ethics of the product they are purchasing. Demand and hopefully they will supply.

I have included a sample letter you could use below. Feel free to add or change anything according to your personal experience...and you could email it out to everyone you know...I dunno...I am just saying.

Much Love,
Jade xo




(Your Name)
(Your Address)


(Company Name)
(Company Address)

(Date)



Dear ________,



I am writing to ask for information about the working conditions in the factories that produce garments for your company.

I am a customer of your company and I have attached a receipt of a recent purchase to this letter. I am concerned about the working conditions and treatment of the workers that are producing the products that I am purchasing for your stores.

I saw on your website that you do have a code of conduct but I couldn't find any information about how you make sure the code is followed by your suppliers. How do you monitor whether or not this is the case? How do workers find out about your code? What evidence can you send me of working conditions in the factories that produce your products? Are the workers making a living wage?

I would be interested in getting some information on your auditing results or ethical policy. Do you have any long term contracts with your supplying factories? As well, do you make your factory addresses transparent anywhere, as I could not find them on your website.

I enjoy that products that your company sells, but I want to be assured that they are being made under fair and ethical conditions.

I look forward to hearing from you shortly.



Sincerely,


(Your Name)