Earlier this year we were tickled pink to hear 2007's Clothes Show Live would feature a bunch of eco and ethical fashion brands. But we've since spoken to some of the eco exhibitors at the show -- which opened last Friday -- and several are describing the new section as something of a damp squib.
One of the exhibitors told us: "They [the show organisers] could be doing more with the catwalks to promote us -- it would only take a couple of minutes to flag up the benefits of Fairtrade and eco clothing and the ethical area is not promoted heavily enough elsewhere in the show." Another added that "Some traders are not even covering costs, let alone making profit. Saturday was really bad. We took our concerns to the sales teams and some people [among the ethical brands] have said they’re never coming back."
We put these complaints to the Clothes Show Organisers and marketing director Pascale Walsh responded: "We have worked hard and consistently in order to ensure that we supported and championed our first ever ethical area within the show. As this has been the first year we have set up an ethical-focused area we are looking at ways to grow and strengthen the area in forthcoming years, and looking forward to further supporting a cause very close to our hearts in the future."
Enamore, Emmeline 4 Re, THTC, Amana and GreenKnickers are among the names exhibiting in the new Fashion Conscience and Ethical Boutique areas, which were launched this year in response to an increased number of fashionistas hunting for a people- and planet-friendly wardrobe. Some visitors have been very positive about the ethical brands' presence at the show. One of them is Emma from Dudley, who described it as an "absolutely fantastic addition to the show," adding it was "a great way to bring ethical fashion to the masses -- particularly the younger generation."
Emmeline Child from Emmeline 4 Re felt the show's organisers could have done a better job of promoting the ethical brands exhibiting and clarifying which were ethical and which ones weren't, but she told SmartPlanet she'd enjoyed a great show and thinks the organisers will learn from this year and get it right in 2008.
Source: Smartplanet.com
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