What is Ethical Fashion?

What is Ethical Fashion?

1. Defining ethical fashion
2. Sustainability and the triple bottom line
3. Criteria for ethical fashion
4. EFF Ethical Policy Framework
5. Other relevant organisations and initiatives

1. Defining ethical fashion

For the EFF, ethical fashion represents an approach to the design, sourcing and manufacture of clothing which maximises benefits to people and communities while minimising impact on the environment.
“If you describe something as ethical, you mean that it is morally right or morally acceptable.” Collins English Dictionary
For the EFF, the meaning of ethical goes beyond doing no harm, representing an approach which strives to take an active role in poverty reduction, sustainable livelihood creation, minimising and counteracting environmental concerns.

2. Sustainability and the triple bottom line

The term sustainable is used throughout this site in the context of both social and environmental issues.
In 1989, the Brundtland Commission articulated what has now become a widely accepted definition of sustainability: “[to meet] the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.”
We believe that a business or initiative is not sustainable unless the triple bottom line is integrated at the core of business practices and policy, from board level to studio, shop, or factory floor.
1. SOCIAL
Increasing the capacity and wellbeing of the people and communities behind fashion. Any fashion business depends on the people behind it. In a broader context, poverty and exploitation of the human workforce behind fashion affects the stability of the industry itself.
2. ENVIRONMENTAL
Minimising the environmental impact of all business operations, throughout the supply chain. Creating and acting upon opportunites to reduce environmental issues beyond the immediate operations- such as awareness raising , investment in and support of environmental initiatives.
3. COMMERCIAL
Without a robust financial business model, none of the above can be achieved. Good intentions without an effective business structure can backfire. A sustainable approach includes quality products or services that meet market needs and demands and are fairly marketed.
The work of the Ethical Fashion Forum with businesses is built on these three pillars, and especially with smaller businesses includes elements of commercial and financial business support, in collaboration with partner organisations.

3. Criteria for ethical fashion

The Ethical Fashion Forum has drawn up a set of 10 criteria for ethical fashion, to inform the fashion industry’s official ethical fashion awards, the RE:Fashion awards:

1. Countering fast, cheap fashion and damaging patterns of fashion consumption
2. Defending fair wages, working conditions and workers’ rights
3. Supporting sustainable livelihoods
4. Addressing toxic pesticide and chemical use
5. Using and / or developing eco- friendly fabrics and components
6. Minimising water use
7. Recycling and addressing energy efficiency and waste
8. Developing or promoting sustainability standards for fashion
9. Resources, training and/ or awareness raising initiatives
10. Animal rights

4. EFF Ethical Policy Framework

The EFF has developed an ethical policy framework tool in consultation with leading ethical sourcing and certification bodies, including the Ethical Trading Initiative, Made By, The International Fair Trade Association, the Fairtrade Foundation, the Responsible Purchasing Initiative and others.
This allows the EFF to work systematically with fashion business members towards improved sustainability practices, as well as facilitating the transparent communication of these through a vetted ethical policy document.

5. Other relevant organisations and initiatives

A range of other organisations are working in the arena of ethical fashion. The EFF seeks to collaborate with these organisations as much as possible in order to reduce duplication and maximise impact.
An understanding of the work of these organisations assists an understanding of the arena of ethical fashion. See several organisations listed below. Read more
The Ethical Trading Initiative
The Fairtrade Foundation
The World Fair Trade organisation
The Responsible Purchasing Initiative
MADE BY
Labour Behind the Label: Fashioning an Ethical Industry
Pesticide Action Network UK
Social Compliance Organisations

Horizantal stripes flatter the figure

Vertical stripes don't flatter – they make you look fatter

Horizontal, not vertical, stripes have slimming effect

The fashion gurus have got it all wrong, claims an expert in visual perception. Far from making you look thinner, wearing clothes with vertical stripes will accentuate your girth.

Wearing horizontal stripes makes you look thinner, according to new research – contrary to widely held belief that vertical stripes are more flattering to the figure.

The discovery was presented at the British Association for the Advancement of Science (BA) Festival of Science, held in Liverpool, England, last week.

Nilit Trends S/S 2012

download the trend book of Nilit S/S 2012 by clicking the link below..
http://www.nilit.com/fibers/appfiles/NilitTrendbookSpringSummer2012.pdf

NILIT announces its new trend concepts for bodywear and active-sports wear for Spring-Summer 2012, which will be presented in the NILIT BODYFASHION TRENDBOOK.

Spring-Summer 2012 marks an era which emphasizes a more wholesome existence by replacing the material excesses of the pre-recession society with a new value system and a broader vision of the world. Consumers are adapting to a new model of living based on a future which combines technology with a sense of consideration and awareness of society’s collective responsibility."

For bodywear and activewear, design extends beyond aesthetics. Once more technology meets creativity as the leading fashion trends underscore the product’s value by emphasizing innovation and performance. Innovation embodies the search for new discoveries and solutions with an accelerated sense of urgency as we seek a stable path for future growth and renewed opportunity.

Innovation is the key at NILIT and our consistent leadership in technology and innovation sets the standard for nylon 6.6 yarns globally. NILIT’s unique and diverse products continue to open new creative vistas which inspire a new generation of state-of-the art products that express the latest fashion trends and are in perfect harmony with the environment.

Today’s mega-trends which inspire yarn technology and innovation are ECO-DESIGN, SENSUAL LUXURY, COLORFUL FLEXABILITY, DYNAMIC VERSATILITY, WELLBEING & COMFORT and ENVELOPING PROTECTION. The NILIT Trendbook recommends the yarns needed to create the dynamic products which will lead the fashion trends for the coming season.

BODYWEAR:

The Trendbook defines three BODYWEAR trends for SUMMER 2012 and highlights the yarn innovations best suited to these trends:

ORIGINS (Mega-Trend: WELLBEING & COMFORT.) ORIGINS evoke a new sense of spirituality, an affinity with the world of nature and a rediscovery of the instincts buried deep within us. The trend embodies a return to innocence expressed in an up-dated vintage look and fine-gauge knits with a natural touch.

Inspired by the elements of earth and sky, the focus is on lightness and fabrics which boast softness, comfort and excellent shape retention. An authentic natural handle and heathered effect can be created from NILIT Arafelle yarn.

NILIT Bodyfashion & Activewear Trends

New trend concepts for bodywear and active-sports wear for Fall-Winter 2012-2013 presented in the NILIT® BODYFASHION TRENDBOOK.

For Fall-Winter 2012-2013, the world of bodywear and activewear celebrates the season by offering an abundance of diverse products which provide modern consumers with limitless choices with which to express their individuality. This season more than ever, we see that bodywear transcends being a simple item of clothing and embraces innovation to demonstrate its diversity and versatility: each garment we wear has “a layer of meaning.”

BE GREEN / NILIT® ECOCARE

Body and soul embrace the values of wellbeing, healthy living, and the serenity of a slower-paced life. Nostalgic lingerie and the homewear wardrobe revisit yesteryear’s trousseau for inspiration. Casual laid-back garments embody country romance with innocent sexy appeal. A traditional rustic look conjures up limitless combinations of natural textures inspired by nature, heritage and the land. NILIT® EcoCare recycled yarns respond to the challenge of environmental concerns and the future of the planet by fusing protection, well-being and ecology.