What is ethical fashion?

As each persons ethics are different so the term ethical fashion can mean many different things to different people. The google search term hardly existed before 2005, when a UK-government backed campaign promoted this umbrella term which immediately begs the question "What is Ethical Fashion?".

Ethical 'fashion' is generally considered to be clothing which has been made with respect for people and planet and has a lesser impact than conventional fashion. Where people live in countries with democracy, a welfare state, and respect for human rights, there is some ethical interest in buying products that are more expensive because they are made in such countries. In other countries, such as Zimbabwe, it is claimed that ethical fashion should be made in former colonial countries in order to raise the living standards of the people who live there, regardless of other factors. That is the position stated by a web forum that shares directors with a PR agency that worked with various governments in reducing tariffs, and had considerable backing from the UK government. The forum is called "Ethical Fashion Forum", and their position is stated on a page titled "The Issues".

(source: Veganline)

Other pages are less controversial.

1. Using relatively good factories, compared to neighbours in the same country, for employment conditions including the use or non-ise of child labour, the safety of workers, and so-on. A subsection of this is the use of fairtrade-certifified factories which charge a small fairtrade premium and spend it on a fund controlled by the workers, as well as compying with local employment and wage regulations.

2. Is made with minimal impact on the environment including utilising green energy, made locally, zero waste manufacturing techniques, cradle to grave management of impact, recycle-able or biodegradable.

3. Uses sustainable materials including natural fibres, sometimes certified as organic.

4. Does not harm or cause suffering to animals - generally not using animal products

5. Is made by a company donating a percentage of its profit/ turnover to charitable causes or providing initiatives to help disadvantaged people or environmental causes. This overlaps with the issue of companies that have a huge mark-up donating some of it to charity in order to appear better than companies with a small markup, such as those who produce goods in Europe or the USA.

6. Made to last in terms of being high quality, timeless in style and can easily be reused/ recycled.

The question of what exactly is ethical fashion and how is it different from sustainable fashion is not a closed debate. There is an ongoing discussion over which methods/practices are to be considered "ethical" and some organizations that provide certifications, but as long as those organizations charge fees to their members and there aren't formal laws to define these concepts, each consumer must judge the principles behind each company and manufacturing process, the blog FASHIONHEDGE has a lot of information and articles on the subject.