Ethical Fabrics And Why We Need To Use Them

This 3 minute introduction to the full Masterclass on Why We Need To Use Ethical Fabrics includes a roundup of the issues that conventional textiles cause.

For me, Charlie Bradley Ross, working in a more sustainable way means combatting fast, disposable fashion. And if you're going to make a product that transcends seasons and will be cherished by your customer for years (if not decades) to come, then it needs to stand the test of time and do so in a way that does not harm the environment or the people who make them.

This is a 23 minute Lesson that looks at the environmental impacts of textile production, to help you understand what you need to consider when sourcing and using materials for your products.

Did you know that an estimated 20,000 litres of water are required to produce just 1kg of cotton fabric – that’s enough for just one t-shirt and a pair of jeans? Or that an estimated 8,000 synthetic chemicals are used worldwide to turn raw materials into textiles, many of which will be released into freshwater sources? Staggering! 

In this Lesson, we take a look at the jaw-dropping effects that irresponsible fashion production has on our planet. Once you have the knowledge, you can empower yourself to make more informed decisions on the best textiles to choose for your products.

This is a 22 minute Lesson that looks at the social impacts of textile production, and how these issues extend to you and your customers as the wearer.

Bangladesh’s textile industry is worth $28bn a year to the country – it's virtual lifeblood. So employees are trapped between potential poverty and a dangerous working environment. They have no choice but to endure whatever conditions they are given. In the full Lesson this clip is from, we learn about the social cost of textile production; from raw material to end product, how does it affect the people who produce it? Social impact also encompasses animal welfare. So the animals that create or contribute to the raw materials, how have they been treated?

In the second half of the video Lesson, we take a look at how fabrics can affect your health and your customers’ health, as the wearer, too. We discuss some of the nasty chemicals to avoid. We’ll also take a look at some the companies and organisations doing amazing things.

As we have already discussed in this Masterclass - How To Source Ethical Fabrics - the reasons to use ethical fabrics are numerous and obvious. But, how to do it in a way that is ethical, while also viable for your business? 

It is best to look at your choices on a case-by-case basis. As we have discussed, there are positives and negatives for all materials, which is why some designers find it so difficult to find the perfect, ethical fabric. Each fabric brings with it its own environmental or social impact, and it can be worrisome to find a fabric that is protecting the environment, without, at the same time, jeopardising human rights or health.

This downloadable guide and toolkit will help you identify what your priorities are as a business owner, and help you find the most suitable fibre choices and subsequent fabrics for your products.

Did you know, extending the life-cycle of a garment by nine months, can reduce their carbon, waste and water footprint by 5-10%? Here, we share our tips for extending the life cycle of your products, both at the manufacturing level, and tips to share with customer to help at the consumer level.

Understanding the chemicals used in the production of textiles and in clothing manufacturing is central in the debate around sustainable fashion. In this handy downloadable, we list the toxins to watch out for primarily in your fabric production, though also relevant to garment production for example with certain denim processes.

We are delighted to present The Big Eco Fabric Supplier List.

This ethical textile matrix contains our personal team research spanning over a decade. We are sharing the contacts here because of our commitment to helping designers and makers across all industries source all the ethical textiles, materials and fabrics they require.

Please read and respect the terms of use before contacting these producers. 

We were joined by Raaja Rajan, Chief of Operations for Natural Dye House, to learn more about the environmental and social impacts of using chemical dyes for textiles and fashion as opposed to natural, plant-based dyes. In an honest and eye-opening interview, Raaja explains how designers, brands, and consumers can all contribute to a less-polluting and more socially engaged fashion industry in India.