What is Ethical Fashion? | People & Planet-Friendly Style

What is Ethical Fashion? Redefining Style with Integrity

What is ethical fashion? It’s clothing crafted with respect for humans, animals, and ecosystems, prioritizing dignity over profits. With 93% of brands not paying garment workers a living wage, this movement fights exploitation. Let’s unpack how conscious design creates change.

Why Ethical Fashion Can’t Wait

• 🚨 Human Rights Crisis: 77% of UK fashion companies found modern slavery risks in supply chains (Fashion Revolution 2023)
• 🌎 Planetary Toll: Textile dyeing poisons 20% of global freshwater
• 🐄 Animal Welfare: 1 billion animals skinned alive yearly for leather

Core Principles of Ethical Fashion

1. Fair Labor Practices

• Living wages (not minimum wages)
• Safe factories (no Rana Plaza repeats)
• Union rights and child labor bans

2. Eco-Responsible Production

• Organic/recycled materials (GOTS-certified cotton)
• Non-toxic dyes (OEKO-TEX® Standard 100)
• Water recycling systems

3. Transparency

• Full supply chain mapping
• Third-party audits (Fair Trade, B Corp)
• Public sustainability reports

Ethical Fashion vs. Greenwashing: Spot the Difference

Ethical Brand	Greenwasher
✓ Discloses factory locations	Vague "ethical collection" claims
✓ Pays 50-100% price premiums to workers	Uses "sustainability" as marketing buzzword
✓ Uses certified materials	Hides polyester content behind "vegan leather" labels

5-Step Action Plan for Consumers

1. Demand Transparency: Ask #WhoMadeMyClothes?

2. Support Certifications:

✅ Fair Trade Certified

✅ B Corp

✅ Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS)

3. Choose Slow Over Fast: Buy 5 quality pieces/year vs. 20 disposable ones

4. Repair & Upcycle: Extend garment life by 2+ years

5. Advocate: Sign Fashion Revolution’s #GoodClothesFairPay petition

Ethical Brands Walking the Talk

• Patagonia: 1% for the Planet + Fair Trade Certified factories
• People Tree: Pioneered Fair Trade fashion since 1991
• Kotn: Direct partnerships with Egyptian cotton farmers
• ABLE: Public wage disclosures (avg. $98/day vs. fast fashion’s $3)

Budget Ethical Brands Under $50

Busting Ethical Fashion Myths

❌ Myth: "Ethical fashion is too expensive."

✅ Truth: Per-wear cost is lower (e.g., $150 jacket worn 100x = $1.50/wear).

❌ Myth: "Vegan fashion = ethical fashion."

✅ Truth: PVC "vegan leather" often harms workers with toxic chemicals.

The Future: Technology’s Role

• Blockchain tracing (e.g., Martine Jarlgaard’s real-time supply chains)
• AI wage monitors ensuring fair pay
• Biodegradable materials (Mango’s mushroom leather jackets)

"Ethics isn’t a department. It’s the design room, the shipping floor, and the CEO’s desk." — Safia Minney, Founder of People Tree

Your Turn to Act

What’s your biggest challenge with adopting what is ethical fashion? Share below!