'Ethical fashion' is a subject that has been grabbing theheadlines in fashion circuits in recent times. As awareness about the concept isrising, more and more brands are coming up with products that adhere to it, andmore and more customers are adopting the same. The 'Ethical Fashion Show' thatis being conducted every year since 2004 is a step in the same direction.


The concept of ethical fashion is simple. It refers tofashion that incorporates positive ethical practices such as environmentconservation, fair trade and fair wages, healthy and safe working conditionsfor labourers, limited use of pesticides, use of recyclable material, ensuringno harm to flora and fauna, preservation of traditional skills, etc. TheEthical Fashion Show aims to promote the concept of ethical fashion and spread awareness about it.


This Fashion Show is an attempt to inspire people to give athought to social and environmental factors before deciding to go for aparticular fashion product. It also aims to inculcate among fashionistas asense of sympathy for everyone and everything directly or indirectly associatedwith the fashionable products that they use. In other words, it attempts toconvey the message - 'Fashion is possible even with high ethical values.'


The Ethical Fashion Show was launched in the year 2004 by Paris-baseddesigner Isabelle Quehe, which was very well accepted by fashion designers allover the globe. The event has consequently been held every year, withenthusiastic participation from designers worldwide. Continuing this tradition,the Ethical Fashion Show has been organized this year at the Carrousel duLouvre, Paris, in the year 2008. It has been scheduled for the period from 9thto 12th October, 2008, of which the first two days have beenreserved for trade shows and the next two have been slotted for the generalpublic.


In the year 2007, the event was attended by over 4500visitors in total, 48% of which were comprised of national and internationalbuyers, 25% of media, 22% general public and 5% other categories. It isanticipated that approximately 100 fashion designers from all over the worldwould attend the event this year. The best ethical designer would be awarded bya jury, consisting of professionals from the fashion industry.


Apart from ramp shows, the Ethical Fashion Show 2008 willalso feature conferences and round table discussions among industry experts onthe subject of ethical fashion. The exhibition this year is planned to be onthe theme of 'Globe-trotting colour'. Danish fashion designer Leila Hafzi and Bettyde Paris, a natural colorist, are scheduled to present their collections as apart of this event. This would be followed by a show by Takashiro Senko, indigomaster from Japan, among displays by other experts.


The Brazilian brand Modafusion would be presenting a collection of colourful dresses for women produced by co-operatives from Rio. UK-based designer Ada Zanditon would present her collection of ethically produced garments, accompanied by a display of designs for working women by French designer CélineFaizant. Eliza Gabriel would be showcasing the special kind of cloth produced by her, by the name of 'Petals', which are available in the shape of flowers.This cloth can be used to make various kinds of items, such as purses, hats andbelts. She would also be presenting her 'Noir Tropical' collection, which isbased on the romantic costumes of Spanish heroines.


Jewellery designer Estrella Bijoux would be presenting hercollection of fashion jewellery made from recycled material. This would beaccompanied by Marcello Toshi presenting his collection of fashionable shoes.


To commemorate the 5th anniversary of the show, itis planned to launch a special fashion magazine by the name of 'EthicalFashion'. It will focus on articles, reports as well as photographs on ethicalfashion and its adoption all over the world, as well as on adopting sustainablelifestyles.


 

The event would be a wonderful step in the direction of creating awareness about and increasing the level of involvement of people in a worthy cause - sustainable fashion - a concept most relevant in today's times, with the rising levels of pollution and environmental damage.


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