SYDNEY: One industry organisation is determined to shine a spotlight on fashion's 'invisible' workers when it makes its Rosemount Australian Fashion Week (RAFW) debut this May.
Ethical Clothing Australia (ECA) will make its first ever Fashion Week appearance in RAFW's Emerge section from May 3 to 7.
ECA national coordinator Emer Diviney said the not-for-profit organisation's presence at RAFW is designed to highlight to local fashion brands how ethical accreditation can help them tap the growing market for ethical and sustainable goods.
“The growth and success of fair trading initiatives and movements in the US, UK and Europe really confirm that a solid base of ethically-minded consumers exists and are willing to spend up when they’re confident a brand is doing the right thing,” Diviney said.
“Now with Ethical Clothing Australia’s accreditation system, the Australian fashion industry has its own way to emphasise its ethical credentials in order to access this growing market both locally and on the international stage.”
ECA's accreditation system recognises a fashion company's fair treatment of all workers involved in the production of its goods. To become accredited, fashion companies work with ECA to map their supply chain and submit to ongoing compliance checks performed by the Textile Clothing and Footwear Union of Australia.
Labels that have been accredited thus far include Collette Dinnigan, Bardot, Cue, Jets, Redbox 7 and The Social Studio. ECA revealed a number of brands scheduled to show at RAFW are also currently applying for accreditation.
ECA is a joint business-union initiative and was formerly known as Homeworkers Code of Practice and the No Sweat Shop label.