Fair-Trade Clothing

The concept of fair-trade clothing has been emerging in the fashion trade to indicate an ethical, socially responsible code of manufacturing. In the market of specialty foods like coffee and chocolate, the term “fair-trade certified” refers to an established, verifiable standard with clear criteria. When it comes to clothing, the term “fair trade” is used more casually, with a looser definition, less monitoring, and less authenticated documentation. This is not to say that fair-trade clothing doesn”t exist; it’s just that it’s up to individual companies to define their own ethical and fair-trade practices and to monitor and enforce them.

For the most part, companies that tout fair-trade clothing follow a manufacturing code of conduct that includes fair wages and working conditions, bars child labor and sweatshop practices, adheres to civil labor and safety laws, supports environmental sustainability, and advocates equitable partnerships between overseas producers and North American marketers. To get a more solid picture of what fair trade means to a given company, dig into the company’s code of conduct or mission statement description (often found on the company Web site) and look for details. Most companies that are genuinely adhering to fair-trade protocol will not be shy to post their measures of standard.

Demand for ethical, fair-trade garments has come of age, partly in response to media exposure of global corporations that moved manufacturing out of the United States to developing countries where few ethical labor standards may exist and even fewer may be enforced. But terrible labor conditions exist in the States also. Some of the biggest brand-name corporate bullies, however, are changing their ways, thanks in large part to consumer demands. It’s becoming cool to care. “Activism is the new chic,” writes Newsweek’s Jessica Bennett, “and we, the consumers, have become the new activists—saving the world one credit-card transaction at a time.”

The EDUN collection, created by U2 singer Bono and his wife, Ali Hewson, raises the bar. EDUN makes ethical clothing as cool as it gets by working through the premise of “trade, not aid” to foster sustainable communities and long-term economy in Africa, South America, and India. Environmental sustainability is woven into the socially conscious protocol of companies like EDUN. Other fashion brands are following suit.

While a gap still exists between the need for standards and their realization, it’s important to note that ethical fashion is now on the radar. In time, through the vote of consumer dollars, a certified fair-trade standard for the garment industry can be established, as it has in the food industry, with meaningful criteria, enforceable standards, and a bona fide stamp of approval.