Barbara Giesen

Ethical Clothing: New Awareness or Fading Fashion Trend? Barbara Giesen

Ethical clothing is the keyword that gives sustainable garments not only a new name, but also a whole new image. The Bio culture is booming and leaving environmental activists and others with the question; can this be seen as just another fading fashion trend or a change of thinking and a sign of awareness? The present thesis relates the textile and clothing sector to environmental threats and reviews its historic development against the background of labour issues. In the further context, ecological and social problems of the conventional textile production are evaluated. In relation to the problems occurring along the textile chain, the major Eco-labels are then discussed and a future outlook is given. The third chapter is dedicated to the comparison of the conventional and ethical production process. This approach is shown in detail by the Life-cycle of a pair of jeans. During the first part of the fourth chapter, studies are reviewed to gain an idea of the future potential for clothing with an added value. Through the second part of the chapter the upcoming changes are linked to textiles and fashion and the question which place sustainability will have on this sector.