Odeliska Bridal Fashion Blog

I would love to see the fabric manufacturing sector come to the ’sustainability’ party more concertedly by producing lesser polluting fabrics. Hemp/silks are a good start, but what about the dyes and mordents? China’s rivers are desperately suffering from the waste emitted from the factories lining their banks (BBC has been documenting this).

There are many changes I would like to see happen in the Textile, Clothing and Footwear Industry locally and globally, in terms of human rights as well as with respect for the environment.

The buck stops with powerful retail buyers such as Myer and Target, shareholders and also consumers on the state of poor human rights in countries like China and India. Unrealistic price, production and delivery schedules to meet fleeting trends, puts the sewers, predominantly women, under a lot of physical and mental stress with working inhumane hours without sleep at times. Workers live in multi-level dormitories a long way from family (not always a bad thing I’m sure ; ) ) and are young and vulnerable to exploitation.

Workers, in countries such as India, can spend their days steeped in dye vats absorbing toxic chemicals through their skin. The families of these workers require them to remain healthy for the well-being of the whole family.

By sending the ‘developed’ world’s manufacturing offshore we are able to absolve ourselves of the human rights standards that the west has strived for during the latter course of industrialisation to protect its people. Is this really acceptable? Who’s responsibility is it to protect the people?

What can you do?

Consider buying and supporting Australian made garments and smaller, independent designers. This will not always guarantee that people are being paid fairly.

Start asking questions of the retailers. Free-market capitalism is dictated by supply and demand. Don’t waste too much breath on the young shop assistant but maybe the manager. Persuade through the suggestion of sustainable practices if you can’t demand it. Make it the norm.

Support Fair-Trade products.

Buy and wear classics. Buy wool.

Avoid non-biodegradable synthetics (op-shops are full of them) and inorganic cotton.

Find out if ‘family money’ is invested with large retail chains and if so, pull out the investment and let the financial adviser know why you want this action. This is one reason the ethical investment market has grown.

If you are in business, ask questions of your suppliers. Have they even considered trying to do things more sustainably? Ask the manager. These things are obviously easier to do if you have a clue about what you are talking about/trying to achieve and probably easier if you have some maturity on your side but go for it if you are young anyway!

That’s all from me for now

I’m going to start transferring resources that I have found particularly useful to inform myself about the issues related to the global Textile, Clothing and Footwear Industry. The link below is my old page with some great resources. I will be nullifying it as I will be transferring them over to these blog pages - http://www.odeliska.com/pages/ethical_fashion.htm. Check ‘em out!

The more we talk about this stuff and the more we ask of our suppliers the closer we will get to solving the issues.

If you are a designer, here is a good place to start - http://www.ethicalfashionforum.com/7.html

Ok, aside from the fact that the fabric samples I have received are from America, I am excited to offer fabrics that embody the principles we should all be trying to weave into our everyday lives - sustainability!

Charmeuse is like satin but has a ‘grainier’ finish.

The hemp/silk (60%/40%) range is available in 7 shades

• Black
• Plum
• Aqua
• Natural
• Sand
• Espresso

This is the first post to my new blog.

It really is quite thrilling to have worked out how to install the code and files etc etc. The net never ceases to marvel.

Anyway, this blog is here to share conversation on sustainable fashion and fabrics, wedding party fashion and wedding tips and tricks.

I’ll share links and sites with great dresses for your inspiration as well as recent client work.

So here we go and feel free to leave comments and useful tit-bits!