Exploring the fashion industry, with reference to Patagonia.

Group members

Tristan, Lucy, Yongzhe Yan, Ed, Clara

Chosen topic

We have decided to explore the fashion industry with regards to ethics and how individual firms operate.

Exploring themes

Utopia

We would argue that a perfect future within the fashion industry would include high levels of consideration towards production methods and environmental impacts. Companies such as Patagonia have this at the forefront of their mind and alongside producing high quality pure products, they constantly promote initiatives in order to improve customers attitudes. Projects include:

-support the removal of dams

-support social events

Dystopia

In stark contrast to Patagonia, firms such as Primark have been in the lime light for being unethical and using illegal practices, such as exploiting immigrant labour- primark using Syrian refugees.

Further examples;

• Primark SOS help letter:
• 15 hour days
• forced to work
• poor food supply, in fact worse than dog food
• they are prisoners being exploited

Ethical considerations

Patagonia’s activist mission statement. “We believe the environmental crisis has reached a critical tipping point. Without commitments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, defend clean water and air, and divest from dirty technologies, humankind as a whole will destroy our planet’s ability to repair itself. At Patagonia, the protection and preservation of the environment isn’t what we do after hours. It’s the reason we’re in business and every day’s work”

Examples include;

• child protection schemes
• promote fair trade and workers welfare

We would suggest that more companies take an active role in making ethical targets at the forefront of their business aims and goals- not just a side commitment!

Questions to ask

How can the less economically privileged support this initiative?