Ethical Design Lab

Check out the David Report bulletin,  “I shop therefore I am”. The issue looks at the world of consumer culture from different point of views; ethical, social, political, economical and humanistic.

The authors say, "Shopping has turned into a lifestyle. We consume as leisure and a way to pass time. But at the same time many are realizing that the power of consumption is stopping us from finding true and sincere happiness; and that shopping often works as a substitute for something that we’re missing in life. At what point does the accumulation of material goods become less fulfilling and more stressful and overwhelming?"

They add, "Our consumption grows in the same pace as our economic growth. Studies shows that in hundred years we consume eight times as much per capita as today. Can our globe take such a strain? The power of consumption is being questioned and there’s a change in attitude and way of life. We don’t want to be consuming goofs, we want to be considered aware and responsible. It is all about WHAT we buy and WHAT we choose to invest in, the world we live in will be the result of those choices."

"In the future consumption will be more about experiences and services than things. Perhaps giving will be more important than having. Are the companies, who survive on our consumption, prepared for this transition?"

The David Report bulletin no 9 “I shop therefore I am” also offers insight on the subject from strategist Kristina Dryza and Zen-Buddhist Sante Poromaa. On top of this an interview with Mathilda Tham, guest professor at Beckmans school of Design. THIS LINK takes you to the new bulletin (and yes, it’s free!).

What are the true costs of cheap fashion and fast fashion? Fast fashion referring to the speed of rotation at fashion stores like TopShop, Zara & Uniqlo. 

The International Herald Tribune looks at this issue in an article entitled 'Fast clothes' versus 'green clothes' — a face-off with environmental impact'. The author Elisabeth Rosenthal says:

International Herald Tribune 

A New Report by Organic Exchange provides many insights into the cotton industry. The report is packed with facts and figures that give plenty of reason to make organic cotton best choice. Here's an exerpt:

A few things you should know about cotton, the environment, our society and the economy.

Cotton is a highly valued fiber that is grown on 76 million acres world-wide; this represents approximately 2.4% of global arable land. Between 40%-47% of the world’s textiles are made from cotton, making this a $ 334 billion industry in 2004.  Cotton is grown in over 100 countries representing approximately 50 million farmers globally

Cotton is grown in a variety of ways. The majority of cotton is grown on irrigated land representing 53% of cotton fields. Over 90% of cotton production involves the use of synthetic chemicals, with 20% using lower input practices (IP/CM – Integrated Pest/Crop Management).  Worldwide, genetically modified organism (GMO) cotton is grown on an estimated 20% of acres worldwide, with an estimated 80% in the US.   Certified organic cotton currently represents an estimated .1% of the cotton grown in the world.

For the full report see Organic Exchange  

The international aid agency of the Catholic Church in England and Wales campaigns for Trade Justice pointing out that:

The Catholic Agency For Overseas Development (CAFOD) says, "The rules of international trade are stacked against poor countries." And, their Campaign for Trade Justice, "aims to change these rules so that international trade helps poor countries develop."

The organisation warns, "750 million of our world’s poorest people are at risk from a new unfair free trade deal, being pushed by the European Union," and encourages people to "Email UK trade secretary Alistair Darling now to stop this deal going ahead."

The organisations website says, "In 2005, in response to campaigners' calls to make poverty history, the UK Government promised to make trade work for the poor. But it is on course for a devastating act of betrayal. Together with other European countries, the UK is part of a push to have some of the poorest nations on the planet sign up to grossly unfair trade deals called Economic Partnership Agreements."

CAFOD describes the Economic Partnership Agreements as, "new unfair trade deals being pushed by the European Union that thraten the livelihoods of 750 million of our world’s poorest people." It add, "Under these Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs), the EU is bullying some of the world’s poorest countries into opening their markets to European imports."

For More Details see CAFOD 

Louise Richards, Chief Executive of War on Want, said: “Bargain retailers such as Primark, Asda and Tesco are only able to sell at rock bottom prices in the UK because women workers in Bangladesh are being exploited. The companies are not even living up to their own commitments towards their overseas suppliers. The Labour government must bring in effective regulation to end such shameful practices.”

Primark, Tesco and Asda have all made public commitments to the payment of a living wage to suppliers – commonly calculated to be a minimum £22 a month in Bangladesh. Yet starting wages in the factories researched for War on Want’s report were as little as £8 a month, barely a third of the living wage. Even better paid sewing machine operators receive only £16 a month, which equates to 5p an hour for the 80 hours they regularly have to work each week. The minimum wage for garment workers in Bangladesh halved in real terms during the 1990s, and many complain their pay is too low to cover food, housing and health costs.

Primark, Tesco and Asda have also pledged that their suppliers must not be required to work more than 48 hours a week on a regular basis, and should have at least one day off in seven on average. But workers interviewed for War on Want’s report can toil up to 96 hours a week – double the supposed maximum – and often lose their day off. Factory owners have forced staff to work up to 140 hours a month overtime, often unpaid, or face dismissal.

These three companies are also members of the Ethical Trading Initiative an alliance of companies, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and trade union organisations. We exist to promote and improve the implementation of corporate codes of practice which cover supply chain working conditions. Our ultimate goal is to ensure that the working conditions of workers producing for the UK market meet or exceed international labour standards.

Read More on the War on Want Website

Download the Fashion Victims Report