SYDNEY: Ginger & Smart and Lisa Ho look set to tap the growing fair-trade consumer base on the back of earning accreditation from Ethical Clothing Australia (ECA).
Each womenswear label has been working with ECA over recent months to create a transparent supply chain, ensuring workers at all production levels enjoy fair working conditions.
Both Lisa Ho and Ginger & Smart manufacture on-shore and were awarded official ECA accreditation on April 28 and April 29 respectively.
ECA's national coordinator Emer Diviney said she believed consumers would respond “extremely well” to Lisa Ho and Ginger & Smart's new credentials.
“The growth and success of fair trading initiatives and movements in the US, UK and Europe really confirm that ethically-minded consumers are willing to spend up when they’re confident a brand is doing the right thing – and that’s exactly what these brands are doing,” Diviney said.
Lisa Ho and Ginger & Smart join other accredited businesses including Bardot, Collette Dinnigan, Cue, Jets and The Social Studio.
ECA will participate in the Emerge segment of Rosemount Australian Fashion Week (RAFW) to further promote its accreditation process to local industry.
A not-for-profit joint business and union initiative, ECA aims to assist local fashion businesses in ensuring Australian workers receive fair wages and decent conditions. The organisation was previously known as the Homeworkers Code of Practice and the No Sweat Shop label.