Ethical Fashion Forum Inspires Change Towards Sustainability

Islington’s Saddler’s Wells Theatre, dedicated to promoting the wonders of dance to diverse audiences and across cultural boundaries, played host to the Ethical Fashion Forum’s (EFF) Annual Ethical Fashion Source Expo on October 17 and 18.

The expo is the world’s first and only fashion trade show exclusively promoting and showcasing the ethical sourcing of materials used in the much-scrutinised fashion industry. Providing inspiration and supporting fair practice, the event connects like-minded stakeholders in a forum that shows that in the fashion sphere, trade can definitely be fair and sustainable.

Suppliers and manufacturers from around the globe showed that they work to standards that are ethical and organic. They had the opportunity to link directly with hundreds of eco-interested retailers and cutting edge designers to share the values of environmental responsibility and the aim of reducing the impact of the fashion trade upon the planet.

Emily Pearce, senior manager of EFF told The Epoch Times, sponsors of the expo, “Our focus is to inspire change in the fashion industry towards sustainability. You can’t force them; you have to inspire them to change towards a more ethical and better fashion industry. I would like to see a world where we buy less, buy more responsibly, and become more respectful of people and the planet.”

She explained that last year the expo attracted over 800 visitors, and that they were hoping to improve on that this year. "The standard for the fashion industry is becoming higher,” Pearce added.

The expo is fast becoming the place to spot internationally ascending talent.

Top class designers who are pioneers in sustainable sourcing displayed in the Designer Pavilion, while ethical textile innovation was showcased in the Trends Area.

 

Inspiration from around the globe
More than 40 suppliers from Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Americas presented fairly traded fibres and fabrics as well as all manner of garment manufacture methods including one-offs, small runs, and mass production.

Marking the launch of Source: The Global Platform for Sustainable Fashion, this year’s expo included the Source Bar – providing ethical resources and information.

Other facilities included the Source cinema, providing films and training footage and the wonderful Source Consultancy Couch for one-to-one or group advice from experts. There was also an information point for advice on membership and other services.

Read on The expo ran an hourly programme of seminars