Not-for-profit organisation, Ethical Clothing Australia plans to host a pivotal panel during Australian Fashion Week 2024. Titled, ‘Is there sustainable fashion without ethics?,’ the panel will be held on May 16 at the University of Technology Sydney. This significant discussion will be organised in collaboration with The Centre of Excellence in Sustainable Fashion + Textiles, a partnership between UTS and TAFE NSW.
The panel will focus on the examination of the garment workers’ rights within the textile, clothing, and footwear industry. A few of the esteemed panelists will include Dr Timo Risannen, UTS/Centre of Excellence in Sustainable Fashion & Textiles; Aldona Brangwin, Citizen Wolf; Jenny Kruschel, National Secretary-Textile, Clothing and Footwear, CFMEU Manufacturing Division, and James Dunlop, Representative, Be Slavery Free. The panel will be moderated by Rachel Reilly, National Manager, Ethical Clothing Australia.
Articulating the panel's core purpose, Reilly emphasised, while discussions on sustainable fashion often focus on materials and processes, the rights and experiences of garment workers are frequently overlooked. She highlighted, true sustainability cannot be achieved if it comes at the cost of exploiting workers in any stage of production.
Rielly opined, to meet its sustainability goals, the garment industry needs to first focus on the workers’ social and economic rights. With over two decades of experience, Ethical Clothing Australia upholds these rights by collaborating with businesses to ensure fair working conditions within the local supply chain.
By hosting this panel during one of the most prominent events in the fashion industry, Ethical Clothing Australia aims to catalyse meaningful discussions and drive tangible actions towards safeguarding the rights of garment workers and fostering a truly sustainable fashion ecosystem.
