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The ethics of Fashion: Shopping in the recession


By Laura Beaney


Fashion is, if anything ephemeral, but one thing, which has become of increasing concern, is the industry's reputation for being one of the most environmentally damaging. It's contributions towards global warming and ozone depletion, as well as numerous other negative social and environmental problems, has recently brought the industry under scrutiny from the government as well as the media. Cue Ethical-fashion.

What was once the designated uniform of hippies has become the height of catwalk-chic as we embrace all that is good and green. There is increasing concern within the fashion industry over the environmental and social damage associated with clothing production. Ethically sourced fashion is about people and the planet, but it is also about the production of wearable and beautiful garments.

Estethica

For the seventh season Estethica, a collective of twenty-eight 'green' designers has proven that it is possible to create stylish and edgy pieces that have a conscience at their London Fashion Week exhibition. Alongside their proficiency in design Estethica's designers must adhere to at least one of the collective's three standards of fair-trade and ethical practices. But is ethical fashion really a solution to our environmental problems?

Primark Window
Primark

Between 2001 and 2005 the consumption of clothing in Britain increased by one-third. This is perhaps a result of the recent ‘Fast Fashion Phenomenon' with stores such as Tesco, Matalan and Primark selling garments priced as low as £1. As a society we are spending less and less on the clothes we buy and wearing them for shorter periods of time. The end result is a greater pile on the landfill. The value-end of the high street is one market, which has been flourishing despite the recession, so much so that we are now buying over 2.1 million tons of clothing per year.

Primark Store

It is a hard decision for even the most environmentally educated shopper not to ‘buy buy buy' when they are faced with dresses that cost the same as their lunch would. It seems a better solution for the long-term would be for the consumer to slow down their spending habits. Clothing is a necessity for us all, but by looking to the sustainable side of the market for quality attire that will last we all have the option to make a positive impact.
 
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