As seen on ethical fashion week

Najiba Abdellaoui envisages a fashion week with a difference.

Organic cotton Ethical t.shirt ''Ethical fashion: it's all good as long as the clothes, and not a model’s weight or a celebrity’s (fashion) statement, have the last word.''

Milan, New York, Amsterdam, Paris, London etc. Every trendy metropolitan has its own fashion week where fashionistas gather and front-row guests observe the catwalk, and each other, behind huge designer sunglasses. Personally, I couldn’t care less about this winter’s must-have colour, or the height of the mini-skirt this summer. But what I do care about – along with many others – is where, by whom and how my clothes are produced.

According to the newspapers the group of ethical consumers is growing, but when will this group be large enough to justify an ethical fashion week? The fashion world may not be ready but I believe that the world at large is definitely ready to witness this spectacle. Picture this:

A large open-air fashion show, where ethical designers show their designs and products on green catwalks. Where normal-sized models walk on, and of, in the most fabulous ethical clothing, while energizing live music fills the air. Where a mixed and multicultural crowd of young, old, male and female lounge on mattresses and cushions provided by one of the sponsors, Greenfibres. Where they learn about the ethical fashion do’s and don’ts, and enjoy their organic snacks and shakes from a plethora of ethical vendors. Of course, the music, models, sponsors and crowd are important, but more important are the clothes.

Mary Cabanac opens the week with a colorful and ethically-conscious fashion collection, made of organic and recycled fabrics. Followed by Glo4life- the eco-urban fashion brand that decorates 100% organic cotton t-shirts- who show their collection against a background of environmental graffiti.
After the bright and breezy organic cotton clothing of Seasalt Organic cottons, it’s time for Babygod’s quality men’s clothing made of organic fabrics from fairly-traded sources.

Prior to the grand finale, Hemp Age and Rawganique join forces to present a top to bottom hemp collection. The unique element of this show is Rawganique’s organic cotton babies’, children’s and women’s sleepwear. Pantagonia - one of the most innovative organic clothes producers - close the week with a high-quality organic clothes collection made of organic cotton and recycled fleece and shell fabrics.

Wouldn’t such an ethical fashion week be great? Just one annual week to show the world that good taste doesn’t have to be all about unethical clothing like fur, leather and chemically treated fabrics. We could even go so far as to adopt the codes of the fashion industry: put Gwyneth Paltrow and Chris Martin on the front row, invite a bunch of photographers and magazine editors, and let the clothes do their magic. It’s all good as long as the clothes, and not a model’s weight or a celebrity’s (fashion) statement, have the last word.

Man, wish I had the time and sources to organize such a fashion week. However, don’t forget to invite me if you are inspired by this article to organize your own local, or even national, ethical fashion week!

For more organic clothes, ethical clothes and environmentally friendly clothing and shoes visit www.alotoforganics.co.uk