Cotton
WATCH// Social Alterations @ FEI
Here are just two of the videos we took at the conference. We have more videos to come, so stay tuned for those. The first video is of my Pecha Kucha talk. I’ll be posting the slides and my notes a little later on. Please contact us if you have any questions on the works... »
Update III: Uzbekistan’s Cotton Trail
Yet another update on forced and child labour in Uzbekistan’s cotton sector. The Cotton Campaign continues to report on the flagrant abuse of human rights by the Uzbek government. There have been some unfortunate incidents linked to this year’s harvest (to read more about them click below) including: An account of a student who was expelled... »
Community News
A roundup of some of the stories, headlines, and updates you may be interested in from in and around the community of socially responsible fashion design. Abigail Doan Interview with Modebewust Body Politic Vancouver based Body Politic launches new online store Fashion Loves People Why I’m Over American Apparel How Nike will legitimize eco-design for the masses (and eco brands won’t) Ethical Style Issue... »
Battle of the Care Tags: Gap 1969 versus Levi’s 501
Prediction: 2010 will be the year of the care tags. That is, responsible care tags, among mainstream retailers. You may remember SA highlighting Gap Inc.’s short-sightedness when we took a closer look into their Clean Water Campaign. Although we commended the company for an effective goal implementation strategy, it was hard to ignore the areas... »
Update II: Forced Labour in Uzbekistan
Children working the cotton fields this year in Uzbekistan. In August, SA posted an update on Uzbekistan’s forced and child labour in the Cotton sector. SA continues to follow the story and unfortunately, matters have continued to decline. As expected, the Uzbek government is once again relying on forced and child labour during this year’s... »
Social Alterations: Fibre Analysis
We’re working on developing some ready-to-use curricula for fashion/textile/apparel instructors and designers. First up, is the Social Alterations “Fibre Analysis: Possible Social and Environmental Impacts.” Data for this document was aggregated from resources you will find in the “Works Cited” section, on the last page of the PDF. This document is licensed and protected through... »
An October to Remember// Upcoming Events
October will have you wishing you could be in more than one city at the same time. If you find yourself in Paris, Chicago, Providence, Portland, Hong Kong, London or Seattle this October, be sure to check out these amazing events. Click on the event you are interested in on the Events Calendar and we... »
avoiding dirty cotton//resources
Retailers have a responsibility to understand the social and environmental impacts of the products they sell. Unfortunately, “the cotton supply chain is fragmented, complex and not very transparent.” (CREM, 7) Although CREM’s new handbook, “Sustainable cotton on the shelves,” was developed with mainstream retailers to in mind, it can also be used as a... »
MADE-BY + EDUN = Improved living conditions in Africa through clean cotton
MADE-BY is celebrating 5 years by partnering with ethical fashion company EDUN for a design competition. The contest will run in October, with the winning design (presented December 16th) will have created a limited edition T-shirt, sold online and through selected retailers throughout Europe. Partial proceeds will be donated to the Conservation Cotton Initiative... »
A closer look into Gap Inc.’s new Clean Water Program
Gap Inc.’s Clean Water Program, established in 2004 to monitor water contamination, has now grown into a system that advertises zero waste from the factory. Inside the pocket of each pair of 1969 jeans you will find this statement: “The water used in the process of washing & dying these jeans has been specially treated... »
