From the UK: Changing Fashion — Style Without Compromise

Following up from posts I made earlier this year about London Fashion Week — and also the Ethical French Fashion Show — I am pleased to see that the world’s first dedicated ethical fashion awards, RE:Fashion, is in full swing. With the show in final planning stages, the organizers recently announced its short list for nominees with the actual awards taking place in Shoreditch Town Hall, London, on Nov. 13.

What is particularly great is that some of the biggest names in the U.K. fashion scene are involved, which help establish the awards and, most importantly, solidify the concept of fashion with a conscience. Well-known designers include Hilary Alexander, fashion director of the Daily Telegraph, and one of the loudest and proudest champions of fair trade and making a difference, Katherine Hamnett.

The awards are supported by household names including TopShop and The Body Shop, which for a long time have championed sustainable business practices. Both are now partnering presumably due to Jane Shepherdson (previously, the brand director for TopShop). It all feels like the fashion industry is releasing an arsenal of awareness around its involvement and giving more back to the planet. Now, all we consumers have to do is support them by buying their products.

RE:Fashion — "style without compromise" — promises to recognise the most significant developments in social and environmental standards in the fashion industry and the short list of names is very impressive. Some of the names I have known for a while, such as Fifi Bijou (thanks Luna), People Tree, Adili and Pants to Poverty. Others are quite new and exciting, including Junky Styling (a favourite of Kate Moss), Goodone and multiple others all up for awards in categories such as New RE:Designer of the Year, RE:Manufacturing, RE:Retailer and others.

The great thing is that RE:Fashion is not just honouring designers but design and garment uses, manufacturing, raw materials and other areas of the fashion industry. These awards will champion people and organisations in the fashion industry that have taken great strides in tackling poverty, healing the environment and changing consumer attitudes. The night promises to be great fun for all with more than 200 companies and designers. In addition to the night itself, and perhaps more importantly, RE:Fashion will also launch RE:Source, which will be a comprehensive portal to enable sourcing and buying for fashion and textiles products made to ethical criteria.

If you haven’t time to check out your local stores or search online for clothing like this, you can show your support by getting one of our exclusive limited edition Luella T shirts. Luella is the new darling of the British Fashion Scene and has helped us and the Environmental Justice Foundation in supporting the change in fashion that is highlighted by these awards. Here's to looking good and helping the world.