With the The Universal Declaration of Human Rights, these principles were brought to life, every December 10th since 1948. On this history day, conferences, events, and discussions are held internationally to discuss and educate on the lack of rights that still exist and how we can work towards ensuring global rights for everyone.
In celebration of Human Rights Day 2020, we wanted to talk with four brands changing the way they produce and run their businesses by focusing on Ethical Trade. Sustainable practices are becoming more and more common in the fashion industry. One way the sector can make a difference when it comes to human rights? Ethical Trade practices. The Ethical Trade Initiative defines Ethical Trade as “retailers, brands and their suppliers take responsibility for improving the working conditions of the people who make the products they sell.” By tracking how we supply and produce our products, how workers are treated, by providing proper wages, and choosing how products are transported, fashion companies can make a conscious difference.
Meet some of the designers on our LVRSustainable section that incorporate Ethical Trade into their brand ethos and practices.
#LVRSUSTAINABLE
What does Human Rights Day mean to you?
I believe in dreams. I believe in the magic of dreams to inspire, to create, to achieve and to be free. To dream is to be human. This is a human right. I believe in a world where everyone everywhere, regardless of gender, has the same opportunity: to lead, to learn, to earn a decent living and to live a life free from violence and discrimination. To change the world is to be the change you wish to see, so I will live for this dream until it exists all around me. Human Rights Day is a day I acknowledge through the intention of my work everyday.
How has your brand incorporated Ethical Trade into its work ethos?
Sleeping with Jacques ensures a good night sleep for the body and the soul because of our high regard for quality and integrity whilst giving back to the community and supporting sustainable and ethical production.
Our decision to use silk is due to it being one of the lowest carbon footprint fabrications available. It is also highly biodegradable as opposed to other fabrications that take hundred years to break down. The Silk is sourced from a female-led supplier where the production utilises two dedicated silk farms where the silkworms feed on organic mulberry leaves. Recycled water is used to boil the cocoons; each strand is then carefully unwound onto reels. Our silks are proudly OEKO TEX approved and our factories are BSCI and SEDEX approved.
Our supply chain uses DIN certified compostable and biodegradable packaging which breaks down in the compost in days.
Sleeping with Jacques uses responsibly sourced materials with the aim of eliminating plastic material wherever possible in our commitment to the environment.
Sleeping with Jacques is in proud partnership with UN WOMEN AUSTRALIA a giveback initiative that is an integral part to our business.
Every detail and process is taken into account towards a more promising future within our community and a kind consideration to the environment.
What does Human Rights Day mean to you?
Human rights day for us means ENGAGING IN HUMAN RIGHTS IN THE FASHION BUSINESS. This means respecting both workers and each one of the stakeholders involved in the chain of production.
How has your brand incorporated Ethical Trade into its work ethos?
Cashmere Flakes is keen to create value at origin, granting a fair trade price to nomadic herders who produce the precious Cashmere from Mongolia.
Reinvesting part of the revenues generated by such a direct trade of the noble fiber is part of our agreement, for stimulating herders to engage in sustainable best practices, which will turn out to be a key driver for the Nomad Herders’ welfare future development.
50% of the shares of our partner factory in Mongolia is moreover owned by workers, among which women are 75% of the total work force.
Cashmere Flakes and Herders Union MNFPUG are now working jointly with the United States development Cooperation USAID, the Europead Aid Cooperation, the Swiss Cooperation SDC in Mongolia, and so far we’ve been able to recover 5 million hectares of degraded steppe, to Nomad Herder communities’ benefit.
What does Human Rights Day mean to you?
Alighieri has always been about bringing people together, listening to everyone’s stories and appreciating that everyone’s story is different. This year, Human Rights Day is particularly special to me as we have launched an educational talk explaining Domestic Abuse, in partnership with Refuge, a charity supporting women and their children experiencing domestic abuse. It is projects like these that reinforce the importance of community and Human Rights Day, and I feel very lucky to use the brand to raise awareness of issues like these.
How has your brand incorporated Ethical Trade into its work ethos?
At Alighieri, we hope to nurture dialogue and community through objects and stories, ensuring sustainable and ethical practice every step of the way. Our modern heirlooms are made by hand, in the six streets surrounding our studio. Our jewellery is cast and plated by a family run business called Just Castings whose craft, worthy of a Royal Warrant, has been passed down through generations. Since Alighieri launched we have become their biggest customer and created three new jobs in house at Just Castings.
Supporting the local heritage and craft in Hatton Garden is extremely important to founder, Rosh Mahtani, and with our walkable supply chain we can ensure luxury quality across all of our products is achieved. We assemble and finish the jewellery by hand in our Alighieri Studio, just around the corner. Much like our jewellery, our packaging is designed to last a lifetime, a safe place for our customers to store their Alighieri layers and take them on their adventures. Our packaging is produced in audited factories, ensuring fair and kind working conditions for all their staff. Any boxes which are damaged or returned, are used in other aspects of the business.
As Alighieri has grown, Rosh has felt blessed to be able to find more ways to give back and support the community. Last year, we designed 3 pieces inspired by the work of the Conservation Lower Zambezi, a charity working to protect wildlife and sustainable use of natural resources in Zambia, where Rosh grew up. 10% of the RRP of these pieces was donated to CLZ.
In February 2020, we partnered with the Trussell Trust, an amazing charity supporting food banks in the UK which were facing shortages relating to the Covid-19 outbreak. We donated 20% of our online sales to help those most affected by poverty, raising a total of just over £55, 000 over the course of just three months.
We are now partnering with Refuge, the UK’s leading charity in the fight against domestic violence for women and children. We have so far raised £65,000 for the charity and are continuing to do more.
What does Human Rights Day mean to you?
It means not to forget one another. It means to fight for equality, against poverty and being grateful for what we have. It shall also open our eyes toward the things happening right now.
It shall remind us to read and inform ourselves, not being scared of bad things we don`t want to see but facing them and finding solutions. This day should always be a start to make things even better. And that is still fact: WE NEED TO GET BETTER
How has your brand incorporated Ethical Trade into its work ethos?
Every piece we design and develop has to stand on a sustainable column. In our case those are 1. Local Suppliers, 2. Recycled material 3. Upcycled Materials 4. Short ways of travelling 5.Fair pricing and salary for people
We also are very careful of the stores we sell our items to- We look for people with passion for the subject and a certain sense of finding beauty in the imperfect, handmade and studio manufactured. Trade has to be equal and enduring, it has to be fun and bring people together. Every part of the chain needs to be satisfied, happy and able to make a living. This way we can bring our products and skills to a new level.
A special thank you to Sleeping with Jacques, Saldarini, Alighieri, and LPJ Studios.
