While the terms sustainable fashion and ethical fashion are often used interchangeably, they do not necessarily mean the same thing to everyone. While sustainable fashion emphasizes environmental impact, ethical fashion focuses on the social impact of the fashion industry. It is concerned with working conditions, child labor, quantities of water and pesticides used to prepare cotton, hazardous chemicals used to soften and dye textiles, animals farmed for fur or leather, and waste produced by discarded items (Victoria and Albert Museum, n.d.).
The issues that make up ethical fashion have become central because globalization allows brands to find materials and labor at a low cost in various parts of the world. This allows for efficient, cheap production. Because consumers benefit from the cost savings, clothing can feel disposable (Victoria and Albert Museum, n.d.). Therefore this feeds the popularity of fast fashion, which only increases fashion’s global footprint.
However, a number of organizations are working to help regulate the industry. For example, the Worldwide Responsible Accredited Production (WRAP) program works to certify factories that meet specific ethical standards. Thankfully brands do want to achieve these goals–in the first three quarters of 2020, WRAP received applications from almost 2,700 factories, which represent about 2.7 million workers from 41 countries (Nishimura, 2020). Another organization, the Ethical Fashion Initiative (EFI), seeks to connect global brands with artisans in remote areas, such as Afghanistan, Burkina Faso, the Ivory Coast, Haiti, Kenya, Mali, Tajikistan, Uganda, and Uzbekistan. Further, a third organization, Ethical & Sustainable Sourcing, connects North American and European brands with respected sourcing partners in Bangladesh and Asia (Nishimura, 2020).
How can brands and consumers change to ensure ethical practices? Natalya Lusty, a University of Melbourne professor of cultural studies, noted that “Rather than simply increasing the number of certifications or accreditations brands should adhere to, our research suggests we would do better to increase consumer knowledge of those that already exist—and what they mean in practice” (Chua, 2020).
Brand transparency will drive change. People will better understand where their products come from if brands communicate how they make those products. This will also increase trust between brands and consumers. Consumers will therefore feel empowered, knowing their purchases support socially-responsible brands. With this knowledge, consumers can build ethical wardrobes by making clear choices about where they make their purchases and the impact this has around the world.
Chua, J. M. (2020, December 3). Consumers are confused about what ethical fashion really means. Sourcing Journal. https://sourcingjournal.com/topics/sustainability/ethical-fashion-modern-slavery-australia-oxfam-garment-worker-wages-248051/
Nishimura, K. (2020, September 18). Ethical sourcing Is the thorn in fashion’s side, experts say. Sourcing Journal. https://sourcingjournal.com/topics/sourcing/ethical-supply-chains-wrap-ethical-fashion-initiative-sourcing-manufacturing-232305/
Victoria and Albert Museum. (n.d.). Ethical fashion. http://www.vam.ac.uk/content/articles/w/what-is-ethical-fashion/