20th March 2009
Estethica opens with the launch of the DEFRA Sustainable Clothing Action Plan
Estethica, now in it's sixth session at London Fashion Week, was opened with the unveiling of the DEFRA Sustainable Clothing Action Plan. The action plan is the outcome of a process that has brought together 300 stakeholders from across the fashion supply chain many of whom have committed to implementing activities that will improve the 'sustainability' of the industry. Activities in the Action Plan cover everything from Nike promising to monitor the environmental impact of it's products to the Salvation Army committing to collecting waste textiles from schools.
Activities relating to ensuring workers' rights are respected are thin on the ground. DFID commit to exploring the scope of a new ethical garment chain initiative, and the ETI promise to disseminate studies about critical path times and cost pressures, but no retailers have taken a stand on improving conditions in garment manufacture, choosing instead to focus on Fairtrade and Organic cotton. Great news for cotton farmers but very disappointing if you are one of the millions of garment workers who make clothes for the British high-street.
Read Observer columnist Lucy Siegle's views on the launch of the action plan.
Read Kate Fletcher opinion, research fellow at the Centre for Sustainable Fashion.
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