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Written by Kerry MacMullin, director of an eco friendly green clothing site. They can be found at httpEthical Fashion
Overview
What is ethical fashion, why is it important, and why are we just hearing about it now? Well, to answer these questions we start with what is wrong with clothing production today. Most clothing available in stores today is produced in an unethical manner using sweatshop and/or child labour to ensure a larger profit margin. Manufacturers use unsustainable fabrics like non-organic cotton (dubbed as natural, it accounts for almost 25% of all pesticide use) and polyester (which is a petroleum by-product). They use conventional dying practices which release chlorine, chromium, and other pollutants into the environment posing a health risk to the farmers, assemblers and wearers (7 of the top 15 pesticides used on conventional US cotton crops are “possible” to “known” human carcinogens). The shift to ethical production practices in the clothing industry has been undeniably important for a long time making the market ripe for a positive change. Consumers are starting to demand better.
What is Ethical Fashion?
Ethical fashion is that which is produced using: fairly-paid and fairly-treated adult workers; sustainable fabrics and materials like organic cotton, hemp, bamboo, and reclaimed or recycled materials; low-impact fiber-reactive dyes or vegetable dyes; respect for a healthy environment and/or product for the farmer, the assembler, and the wearer of the clothing.
Why Ethical Fashion?
We are all responsible for how our own lifestyles affect the environment. Simple measures can be taken to achieve big changes by simply switching our buying patterns to include products made of low impact materials. Positive pressure on businesses who have yet to volutarily clean up their acts is very easily applied by simply choosing not to spend money on their products, and helping – little by little – to grow the businesses who have made an explicit commitment to responsible business practice.
Why Now?
The wonderful thing about the booming ethical fashion industry is the huge variety of designs, colours, cuts, fabrics and sizes now available. Long stigmatized as cousin to the burlap sack, the ethical offerings today are design-oriented. Designers with heart are creating beautiful, sexy, edgy, classic, current, imaginative, and, yes, flattering pieces – ethics will simply not be compromised and thankfully neither will the look and feel of their work. Reducing our footprint can be done without making any sacrifices.
One of the main driving forces of the ethical fashion boom is public awareness. Thanks to exposйs on large manufacturers, the fact that sweatshop labour is used for the overwhelming majority of production can no longer be ignored. The power of boycotting has been demonstrated, as has the power of voting with our dollars to support good practice. Thanks to accessible work like “An Inconvenient Truth”, the lay person is no longer free to assuage their environmental guilt with the denial of the existence of climate change. Thanks to alternative medical practitioners, who deal with cause instead of just symptom, we're learning that we can build health by surrounding ourselves with and consuming healthy things.
Consumers are growing weary of the quantity without quality mentality. Most designers with an ethical bent to their art, work in small batches, producing high quality goods with exceptional fabrics. Consumers are, in growing numbers, appreciating the right to vote with their dollars; and are exercising it to support expansion of the sustainable textile industry, small farmers and farm co-operatives. We're all looking for ways to reduce our environmental impact, increase our social contribution, ease our consciences, hold on to some creature comforts, and continue celebrating art in all its forms.
Showing posts with label Clothing. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Clothing. Show all posts
Sunday, October 2, 2016
Monday, May 30, 2016
Selecting the perfect evening attire
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Women have an array of choices when selecting evening wear. This is a clothing category that allows women to express themselves in many fanciful ways. There are few rules as to what is appropriate, so each woman can choose whatever suits her own style and personality. This flexibility is evident when watching award shows. Some celebrities have appeared in outfits that defied gravity while others seemed to have animals growing from their clothes.
Making an appropriate choice in women's evening wear depends to a certain extent on the occasion, the level of formality needed and the climate. In spring and summer, light colored gauzy fabrics are often seen. There can be an element of whimsy about these dresses. Short dresses are popular for evening wear in warm weather, particularly for outdoor events.
In fall and winter, the general tone is more serious. While there are still many sleeveless and strapless gowns, they tend to be more structured. Taffeta, velvet, brocade and other rich fabrics are the norm. Black is always a popular color for women's evening wear in winter, but burgundy, deep blue and other dark, rich colors make fabulous alternatives.
Some women even choose tuxedo like pantsuits for evening events. This can be a great alternative in cold weather, although a long dress in a winter fabric worn with a coordinating shawl or a fur wrap can result in the same level of comfort.
Celebrities love designer evening wear
When actresses are interviewed as they walk the red carpet before award shows, one question they are always asked is, "Who designed your gown?" Designer evening wear has become a requirement for these posh events, so much so that many designers loan custom made gowns to top stars at no charge.
Calvin Klein, Dolce and Gabbana, Valentino, Ralph Lauren, Donna Karan, Versace and more are popular with many of today's well known performers. But women aren't the only ones whose taste in clothes is an issue at these events. Men have become fashion plates as well and will also be asked the source of their designer evening wear. Armani is well known for his top quality suits and his tuxedoes have quite a following also.
Knockoffs of the most attractive gowns seen on televised award shows are usually available in stores within a few weeks after the show to which they were first worn. These are unauthorized copies made to sell at prices regular people can afford. While a designer gown might cost $5,000, the department store copy will go for about $200. Unfortunately, the great bodies worn by celebrities are often harder to reproduce.
Women have an array of choices when selecting evening wear. This is a clothing category that allows women to express themselves in many fanciful ways. There are few rules as to what is appropriate, so each woman can choose whatever suits her own style and personality. This flexibility is evident when watching award shows. Some celebrities have appeared in outfits that defied gravity while others seemed to have animals growing from their clothes.
Making an appropriate choice in women's evening wear depends to a certain extent on the occasion, the level of formality needed and the climate. In spring and summer, light colored gauzy fabrics are often seen. There can be an element of whimsy about these dresses. Short dresses are popular for evening wear in warm weather, particularly for outdoor events.
In fall and winter, the general tone is more serious. While there are still many sleeveless and strapless gowns, they tend to be more structured. Taffeta, velvet, brocade and other rich fabrics are the norm. Black is always a popular color for women's evening wear in winter, but burgundy, deep blue and other dark, rich colors make fabulous alternatives.
Some women even choose tuxedo like pantsuits for evening events. This can be a great alternative in cold weather, although a long dress in a winter fabric worn with a coordinating shawl or a fur wrap can result in the same level of comfort.
Celebrities love designer evening wear
When actresses are interviewed as they walk the red carpet before award shows, one question they are always asked is, "Who designed your gown?" Designer evening wear has become a requirement for these posh events, so much so that many designers loan custom made gowns to top stars at no charge.
Calvin Klein, Dolce and Gabbana, Valentino, Ralph Lauren, Donna Karan, Versace and more are popular with many of today's well known performers. But women aren't the only ones whose taste in clothes is an issue at these events. Men have become fashion plates as well and will also be asked the source of their designer evening wear. Armani is well known for his top quality suits and his tuxedoes have quite a following also.
Knockoffs of the most attractive gowns seen on televised award shows are usually available in stores within a few weeks after the show to which they were first worn. These are unauthorized copies made to sell at prices regular people can afford. While a designer gown might cost $5,000, the department store copy will go for about $200. Unfortunately, the great bodies worn by celebrities are often harder to reproduce.
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