Triangle Gallery; Ethical Fashion Forum

"The garment industry is served by complex supply chains that connect people from different countries across the globe. Clothes are often manufactured in countries on the other side of the world from where they have been designed, or where they are destined to be marketed and sold. For many garment workers, poor working conditions and the abuse of human rights are a day to day experience. Their lives could be positively transformed by changing standards within the garment industry." (fashioninganethicalindustry.org)

This was the first Global Sourcing Marketplace launched by The Ethical Fashion Forum (EFF) and held at Chelsea's UAL very own Triangle Gallery. There were lots of companies at the event with one thing in common - supporting fair trade and ethical manufacturing within textile design. There were extensive products and samples on show that gave me a huge insight into the concept of the EFF, to provide companies and designers with the opportunities to source fabrics ethically and reduce any environmental issues that arise from the processing, for example in dyeing.

Aura Herbal Textiles Ltd, based in India, were just one of the companies that I related to the most, as a print student I love the innovative concept they use in their design process. They use natural and herbal dyes to print and colour their fabrics, which are 100% organic and biodegradable. They also specialise in woven fabrics and yarns and pride themselves in keeping all the design and making processes in-house, from cutting and sewing to finishing and packaging. Most conventional processes in dying release amines which are allergic to human skin and a carcinogenic, so using herbal and natural dyes just makes sense! For health reasons if not to help the environment.

There is no waste involved as they have developed a clever re-cycling system that enables them to re-use water produced (about 1,00,000 litres per day). 8,000 chemicals are used in conventional dyeing which actually weaken the fabric, even if the fabric itself is a natural one. Aura use dyes from plants, flowers and herbs etc, and are rich in medicinal properties for the skin, and actually strengthen the fabric it is applied too.

This is the step forward for all future fashion designers, ethical is the way to go.