Ethical fashion: the future of our wardrobes

In this Blog by Luxe Talent, we interview Alexandre Lizarbe, International Recruiter of Luxe Talent's French team, you will learn about Ethical Fashion and how to shop accordingly.

Early days of ethical fashion

Do you actually understand what sustainable fashion means? Sustainable fashion is a countermovement to the fast fashion industry, that wants to be more environmental friendly.

It's inspired by fair trade and ethical standards. It focuses on social and environmental issues, as well as a greater durability. Ethical fashion was born in the early 90s, with pioneering brands such as Patagonia, focused on durability and raw materials.

On 24th of April of 2013 it was the collapse of Rana Plaza.  At that moment, the people noticed that shopping has consequences on the other side of the planet. The general publc started to became aware of how their clothes were made.

Different aspects of Ethical Fashion

5 aspects of Ethical fashion:

• Ethical fashion, inspired by fair trade. And seeks social awareness of production and workers' conditions;
• Ecological fashion cares about its enviromental impact. Fashion industry is the second most polluting industry in the world. Green fashion uses low-polluting, low-water-use fabrics and minimises the transport and carbon impact;
• Recycled fashion is made from clothes and materials that have already had one live;
• Sustainable fashion, also known as slow fashion, seeks durable and timeless garments;
• Local fashion is based on very short production circuits. The closer the manufacturing, the better.

Raw materials considered "green".

A common mistake is to mix eco-fashion & eco-materials.  They go hand in hand, but we must separate them. An Ecological material is cultivated in a soil-friendly way.

Here are some examples of ecological fabrics: bamboo fibre, hemp, cotton from organic farming, grown without chemical fertilisers, cork leather, some materials recycled from plastics such as PVC or polyethylene, fibres of vegetable origin...

Challenges and ways to change fashion industry

The biggest challenge in the coming years is to raise awareness and change our habits.

Anyone can start today by buying second-hand clothes or start checking the labels.

Nowadays, second hand platforms like Vinted are booming, and even big fast fashion brands recollect old clothes.

Buying products made close home means better working conditions and a smaller carbon footprint.

If you are a "fashionista", who likes to follow trends, do not throw away all your clothes when they become old fashion. You can give them another life, contribute to sustainability and change the textile industry!

How to dress ethically?

First, educate yourself about materials, how to read labels, production methods...

I'm sure some of these brands will ring a bell, Knowledge Cotton Apparel, People Tree, Eco Alf, Colourful Standard, Nudie Jeans, Armedangels, Noyoco, Bask in the sun and Veja, are just a few. Global fashion is changing and is concerned about its ecological footprint and is prompting a new way of consuming.

Nowadays, buying a zero-impact garment is quite difficult, but we can became aware of the purchase, the useful life and when we get rid of it. 

We recommend visiting Ethical Time, a platform to find sustainable fashion brands in you can sort by sustainability filters.

Now, let's use all these tips and shift to a more ethical fashion ♻️

If you want more tips follow us on our social networks: LUXE TALENT on Instagram, LUXE TALENT on LinkedIn, or in our academy RETAIL ACADEMY on Instagram, RETAIL ACADEMY on LinkedIn.