In a world where issues of sustainability are becoming more and more relevant, the eco fashion movement has potential to revolutionize the way Americans view fashion and style. Eco fashion exists as a challenge to the typical approach of purchasing apparel for the season and discarding it soon after-a process called “fast fashion” (Annamma, et al. 1). The eco fashion movement affects multiple stakeholders including its customers, the environment, and overseas garment workers. Understanding the history and implications of the eco fashion movement on its customers, garment workers and the environment can help potential supporters decide where they stand with regards to this movement and serves to inform the public on an important initiative in the worlds of fashion and sustainability.
The current approach to eco fashion has developed over the years amidst changing American perspectives of apparel and fashion …show more content…
Many well-known fast fashion companies rely on garment workers in undeveloped countries to assemble their latest fashions (Borkowski 2006). Sadly, the employees often work in unsafe conditions, are forced to work unpaid overtime, denied bathroom breaks and sick leaves and may even be mistreated or beaten for seeking better working conditions (Borkowski, 2006). Brands like Matr Boomie, a wholesale fair trade enterprise, go to India and pay fair wages to traditional artisans in exchange for beautiful, culturally rich designs (Moiseeva, 2016). Ethical brands collaborate with the native designer instead of forcing them to design a specific item and withholding credit from the artist (Moiseeva, 2016). As an added benefit, eco fashion brands aim to ensure that the workers in their manufacturing warehouses have a safe working environment. By choosing to buy from eco fashion brands and companies, buyers are also supporting the fair policies and ethical standards they
The current approach to eco fashion has developed over the years amidst changing American perspectives of apparel and fashion …show more content…
Many well-known fast fashion companies rely on garment workers in undeveloped countries to assemble their latest fashions (Borkowski 2006). Sadly, the employees often work in unsafe conditions, are forced to work unpaid overtime, denied bathroom breaks and sick leaves and may even be mistreated or beaten for seeking better working conditions (Borkowski, 2006). Brands like Matr Boomie, a wholesale fair trade enterprise, go to India and pay fair wages to traditional artisans in exchange for beautiful, culturally rich designs (Moiseeva, 2016). Ethical brands collaborate with the native designer instead of forcing them to design a specific item and withholding credit from the artist (Moiseeva, 2016). As an added benefit, eco fashion brands aim to ensure that the workers in their manufacturing warehouses have a safe working environment. By choosing to buy from eco fashion brands and companies, buyers are also supporting the fair policies and ethical standards they