Fashion for good
Eight months ago I was invited to the launch of Child Labor Free and the experience was inspiring as well as unsettling. Inspiring because two visionary New Zealanders Michelle Pratt and Nikki Prendergast had done some incredible legwork and taken the courageous step to set up Child Labor Free (CLF) – a global accreditation system that independently analyses supply chains for use of child labour over all product categories. What was shocking was that it hadn’t been done before, and the extent of child labour in today’s world (168 million children globally are currently engaged in child labour). So, in this issue, which we’re calling ‘ the seriously good fashion issue’ we look at child labour in relation to the garment industry in particular, and document the journey of a number of New Zealand clothing brands who have joined CLF in its goal to establish sustainable solutions and permanently eliminate child labour (pages 24-30).
We also document Karen Walker’s latest project with the Ethical Fashion Initiative in East Africa whose vision is to use fashion as a vehicle out of poverty (page 34). I’m in love with the beautiful handwork as well as the knowledge that each of these bags is the work of many skilled artisans and that those artisans and their communities are directly benefiting from the work too.
Whether we wear apparel out of necessity or embrace its trends, two truths I’ve found (as a former fashion editor) are 1. the transformative effect of wearing something you feel good in – it has such a positive effect on how you feel and your wellbeing. 2. That we are all consumers of cloth in some form and collectively, by our individual choices of what and how we buy, are part of a movement towards positive change in terms of worker conditions, and production processes and consequential environmental effects.
Speaking of things environmental, the story of Titirangi’s majestic kauri tree ‘Awhi Awhi’ that was recently ringbarked and is currently under threat has captured our hearts. Its fate is subject to a Judicial Hearing in the Auckland High Court in March. We tell the story of how two amazing women are helping the tree to heal its wounds (page 20). Research by Auckland University shows that it would take 80 20-year- old trees to replace the carbon storage capacity of this 427-year- old tree. Yup!
This issue, of course, is jam-packed with stories to inspire – from ideas of how to fill your home with joy to growing edible flowers. Plus, uncover the delicious wholesome recipes and ‘magic’ travel destinations. We hope you enjoy the journey as much as we have in pulling this issue together.
Carolyn Enting, editor carolyn@good.net.nz