Recently ECA-accredited, Ginger & Smart
Nobody have long been proud of their Ethical production practices
Images via How big is your Eco and Josephine Ki
Ethical Clothing Australia has launched their first consumer awareness campaign called `Meet your Maker’ aimed at revealing the faces and personalities behind the production of Australian fashion.
Ginger & Smart were one of the first to jump on this new scheme, and their star machinist Linthia Zheng was recently interviewed by Georgina Safe, fashion editor of the Sydney Morning Herald titled `Protection for those behind the Seams’. It outlines her crucial role in creating the fantastical designs from sisters Alexandra and Genevieve Smart and making them into runway pieces for real women.
The new campaign will aim to educate consumers about the importance of ethical manufacturing in the garment industry and assist them to make an informed choice for shopping ethically.
Fashion Source reports ECA national manager Simon McRae hopes the `campaign might build momentum through social media and lead to a situation where consumer awareness could drive additional sales to the industry.’
While many consumers may be supporters of “Australian-made”, this does not always mean it was ethically made. According to ECA figures, there are about 50,000 workers in the textile, clothing and footwear industry, and many of whom who work from home and are vulnerable to exploitation. The Ethical Clothing Australia program ensures that these workers receive fair pay and conditions.
Meet Your Maker will raise awareness by featuring a special ECA swing tag or label with the trademark stitched “e‟ that proves if a garment was made in Australia and everyone involved in its production received, as a minimum, the legal rates of pay and fair working conditions.
For more information, head to www.meetyourmaker.org.au