Reuse

Made-by updates fibre benchmark to reflect current research

August 3, 2011
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Made-by updates fibre benchmark to reflect current research

The Made-by  Environmental Benchmark for Fibres has been updated to reflect new research. The benchmark considers six categories: greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) until spinning, human toxicity, ecological toxicity, energy and water input and land use (Made-by). “In response to feedback we have included new fibres in this updated Benchmark; mechanically and chemically recycled polyesters are now differentiated to represent the different environmental impacts of the recycling technologies used, and recycled wool has been added in Class A. Whilst we are keeping an eye on this area, there have been no new studies made publically available to help us review...

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VOICES // Sourcing Change — Charlie Ross, Offset Warehouse

April 12, 2011
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VOICES // Sourcing Change — Charlie Ross, Offset Warehouse

This post was written by Charlie Ross, Founder of Offset Warehouse and tells the story of one woman’s determination and drive for change. VOICES // a feature space on SA where community members are invited to share their journey in responsible design. What’s your story? The first time ethical design came onto my radar was whilst I was studying for my BA in Fashion and it immediately struck a chord. Inspired by a friend to find out more about the social and environmental horrors underlying much of the fashion industry, I made an early decision to do everything I could...

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Dr. Andrew Weaver presents ‘Global Warming: The Scale of the Problem, the Path to the Solution’ // ECO Fashion Week Vancouver

November 1, 2010
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Dr. Andrew Weaver presents ‘Global Warming: The Scale of the Problem, the Path to the Solution’ // ECO Fashion Week Vancouver

ECO Fashion Week Vancouver, September 29th, 2010 // Day two: Dr. Andrew Weaver Dr. Andrew Weaver – Global Warming: The Scale of the Problem, the Path to the Solution   BIO// Dr. Weaver is Professor and Canada Research Chair in climate modelling and analysis in the School of Earth and Ocean Sciences, UVic. He was a Lead Author in the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) 2nd, 3rd and 4th scientific assessments and is a Lead Author in the 5th Assessment. He was the Chief Editor of the Journal of Climate from 2005-2009. Weaver is a Fellow...

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Carly Stojsic presents ‘Eco as Movement, Not Trend’ // ECO Fashion Week Vancouver

November 1, 2010
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Carly Stojsic presents ‘Eco as Movement, Not Trend’ // ECO Fashion Week Vancouver

ECO Fashion Week Vancouver, September 28th, 2010 // Day one: Carly Stojsic, WGSN. Carly Stojsic – Eco as Movement, Not Trend BIO // Carly Stojsic is Canada’s Market Editor for Worth Global Style Network and is a freelance trend forecaster for an array of clients. She joined WGSN, the world’s leading online service for global trend analysis, as a Market Editor in December 2007. Her extensive background in sourcing, trend forecasting and as a color specialist greatly augments WGSN’s customized consultancy services in creative intelligence. Click here to read more NOTES // WGSN predicts fashion internationally… based on their...

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Wash Less // Emma Rigby transforms taboo through ‘Energy Water Fashion’

July 26, 2010
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Wash Less // Emma Rigby transforms taboo through ‘Energy Water Fashion’

“Wearing unclean clothes is a social taboo. Yet behind this everyday routine there are some major resource, pollution and social problems.” (Designer Emma Rigby, Energy Water Fashion) Emma Rigby investigates the nature of behaviours and rituals surrounding fashion and clothing, allowing a cross-disciplinary approach to best practices in design to help mitigate the negative impact of excessive laundering, in her work Energy Water Fashion. Rigby has used her transdisciplinary approach toward design to create a line of projects that reduce environmental impact: “ach garment incorporates a unique design feature to encourage the wearer to wash the garment less often.”...

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WATCH//Mitumba: The Second Hand Road

June 28, 2010
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What happens to your clothes after you donate them?  Witness, a documentary program on Al-Jazeera English, played this episode (43 minutes) exploring the journey of a single t-shirt from Northern Germany all the way to Africa’s mitumba market.   This is a fascinating look into the easily forgotten part of the apparel supply chain. If you’re looking for further information on this aspect of a garment’s lifecycle, I strongly suggest reading Pietra Rivoli‘s The Travels of a T-Shirt in the Global Economy: An Economist Examines the Markets, Power, and Politics of World Trade.

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Refugees & Clothing

June 22, 2010
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Refugees & Clothing

Along with father’s day, June 20th also marked World Refugee Day.  The United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) along with its partners ran week-long awareness raising activities world wide centered around this year’s theme: Home.  The day was commemorated in different ways from a simulated refugee experience in Kuala Lumpur to free concerts and entertainment in Canada as part of Luminato, an annual festival of arts, culture and creativity. In Syria, which hosts the largest number of Iraqi refugees, UNHCR chief António Guterres stated: “I appeal to the international community to do more to host refugees.” UN Secretary General Ban...

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Aware of What We Wear

May 18, 2010
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Aware of What We Wear

Aware of What We Wear: an Ethical Fashion Initiative by Samantha Reichman, Secretary of the Student Ethical Fashion Organization, The College of William and Mary How can fashion, a multibillion dollar flashy, frivolous, fickle industry, created to appeal to the whims of the consumer possibly be ETHICAL? Students of “Ethical Fashion” have discovered the answer to this question over the course of the 2009-2010 academic year. The Sharpe Community Scholars Program at The College of William and Mary originated a service-learning, seminar-style course called “Ethical Fashion”, taught by Professor Regina Root.  Designed for students interested in combining their concern...

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FASHION EVOLUTION

April 13, 2010
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FASHION EVOLUTION

Our friends over at Re-dress in Ireland have been BUSY! In less than one month, Re-dress will present FASHION EVOLUTION, Ireland’s 3rd ethical fashion week: “Fashion Evolution aims to re-vitalise the spirit of the Irish fashion industry, with a schedule of exciting events catering for consumers, producers, retailers and supporters of fashion alike.” (Re-dress) “Our mission is to provide the Irish fashion sector with the tools needed to make more sustainable fashion choices.” (Re-dress) We don’t think they’ll have any trouble accomplishing this goal–just take a look at what they have planned! What: Re-dress ETHICAL FASHION CALENDAR LAUNCH When:...

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Bring David Suzuki to Work

March 22, 2010
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Bring David Suzuki to Work

The David Suzuki Foundation has launched a FREE downloadable toolkit to help businesses and organizations tread a little more lightly on the planet.   “Work life isn’t just about punching a clock with a bunch of strangers. Smart employers know that their people are happiest and most productive when workplace culture matches their personal values. Companies who are in it for the long run know that reducing waste and increasing efficiency makes them more profitable and competitive.” (David Suzuki) Here’s the pitch: Does this sound like you? You care about the environment and want to see more done at...

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