I love the Ethical Fashion Forum. For the past year they have been developing the Spotlight on Sourcing series (the last of which happen in August, drug Spotlight On Africa). The culmination of the 2009 series, drug titled The Annual Industry Marketplace for Suppliers of Sustainable Fabrics, Components and Manufacturers to the Fashion Industry will happen on Friday 20th – Saturday 21st November 2009 at Chelsea College of Art and Design.
The two day conference promises to be an exciting informative event continuing the EFF’s excellent work with regards to building links and contacts between designers, suppliers and warehouses who desire to produce sustainable ethical fashion.
The culmination of the 2009 series is The Global Sourcing Marketplace event. As aforementioned the event aims to build links between designers, businesses and entrepreneurs who want to work in an ethical environment. The initiative started as a result of the numerous emails the EFF receives each month from business representatives and social entrepreneurs requesting advice or recommendation for manufacturers, suppliers and cooperatives who work to high ethical standards.
Therefore, if you are looking to produce ethical sustainable fashion but are unsure how, this is the event for you. Likewise if you want to exhibit and discuss the creation of your sustainable products you can participate as part of the exhibition stands. Find out more and how to apply here
Dani the event’s organiser spoke to Amelia’s Magazine about the event, explaining there will be “a series of short seminars during the day, when exhibitors are invited to introduce innovative and exemplary fabrics, components, and manufacturing processes.”
The event is not for profit and all the money raised from the entrance fee will be used to continue the development of sustainable ethical fashion. As the website states the ultimate goal is “to reduce the environmental impact of the industry, support fair and equitable trade, and reduce poverty.” It is held in conjunction with Fairtrade and the World Fairtrade Organisation.
In addition to the aforementioned series and their already well-established EFF Network, a place where like minded people can gather online to discuss ethical fashion initiatives. The EFF have now started a monthly event: The Ethical Fashion Social. The first of which was hosted a few weeks ago in London, Bristol, New Dehli, Narobi and Washington DC.
Joey Instone, the brains behind the meeting spoke to Amelia’s Magazine about her desire to encourage the groundwork established by the online network to move into face to face discussions. The concept for the socials being to pass on individual knowledge regarding the difficulties facing the establishment and development of ethical fashion companies.
Eventually Joey hopes for the socials to be self sufficient happenings across the globe that build ethical communities through a combination of business and social relationships. From my own inbox I can see one has sprung up in New York and having experienced the welcoming atmosphere where everyone was keen to pass on information and discuss the state of the fashion industry. This is one idea that will run and run across the world.
Whilst at the Social I met a range of people who had been involved in all aspects of fashion – from the positive steps being taken by the High Street to witnessing the negative side of environmental pollution created as a result of the unregulated textile companies. It was a really fantastic event, watch the EFF website for future dates across the globe!
Let’s all get involved! If you trying to produce sustainable fashion, this is the event for you! Find out more on the EFF Website.
Watch this space for further news on the EFF Socials, Amelia’s Magazine will be in attendance.
Categories ,Chelsea College of Art and Design, ,fairtrade, ,The Ethical Fashion Forum
Similar Posts:
- Gossypium: an interview with Abigail Petit, founder of the Lewes based ethical clothing company
- Fashion Business Club: Dolly Jones Interviews Laura Bailey
- Fashioning an Ethical Industry Conference 2010
- The Ethical Christmas Emporium
- An ethical caffeine hit