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Fashion figures fight sweatshops

Fashion tutors from across the country will meet at Northumbria University next week to discuss ways of making fashion a more ethical industry.

As part of Northumbria’s Ethical Fashion Week, they will be examining ways of raising the issue of workers’ rights in the industry and embedding ethical values among students.

Professor Doug Miller, Chair of Ethical Fashion at Northumbria is keen to put ethical fashion on the teaching curriculum and has already involved students in a series of activities focusing on sustainability issues and workers’ rights in developing countries.

Professor Miller said: “Design schools have a key role in nurturing the talents of young designers and many graduates find work as buyers. We need to embed ethical behaviour into the curriculum so that in the future these people will have a real understanding of ethical purchasing behaviour which strategically is where changes need to occur.’’

Kate Fletcher, the UK’s leading expert on sustainable textiles will also be on campus to make the case for sustainable fashion.

Professor Andrew Wathey, Vice Chancellor and Chief Executive of Northumbria University said: “Public concern is growing about the way in which clothing is being manufactured in other parts of the world. Ethical fashion week is one example of Northumbria University’s proactive approach to raising awareness among students about these crucial issues.”

For more information on Ethical Design Week, contact Laura Holmes at l.holmes@northumbria.ac.uk.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .