Can Fashion Jobs be Ethical? - Fashion School Review

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Can Fashion Jobs be Ethical?

by Fran Walker
Fashion School Review Columnist

May 24, 2005

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When you think about ethical careers, fashion jobs are probably not the first to spring to mind. Many people see the world of fashion design as shallow - remember the models that "wouldn't be seen dead in fur?" But with March seeing the launch of Bono's new "ethical" fashion design range, we are asking whether you can stick to your ethics and go to fashion college.

Ethical Fashion Design - Some Examples

Bono and his wife Ali have teamed up with fashion college graduate Rogan Gregory to produce the ethical, socially conscious fashion design label Edun. Produced in family-run factories, their garments profess to have been produced without exploitation of workers from ethically sourced materials.

Here are some other examples of ethical fashion design labels:

People Tree
Enamore (hemp fashion)
American Apparel
Ethical Wares

Will Fashion College Teach You About Ethical Fashion Design?

Today's fashion design is all about mixing and matching styles, labels, price ranges, old and new. With this variety on offer, there is no reason why you have to leave your ethics behind to go to fashion college.

Some fashion colleges may offer programs covering ethical fashion design, so look around. Fashion and fashion design may be perceived as shallow, but it certainly makes younger people sit up and take notice. Why not use fashion design to make a statement?

You will have to work that bit harder if you want to start or join an ethical fashion house, but getting fashion jobs that make a difference to the world will make it all worthwhile. We will be returning to the subject of ethical fashion jobs another time.

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About the Author
Fran Walker is a freelance writer, editor and researcher specializing in educational, health, safety and domestic issues. Previously, she spent five years in marketing in the self-help, health and health and safety sectors before leaving to start a family. She now edits and writes content for the U.K. Health and Safety Executive. Fran graduated in 1993 with a degree in English Literature.