Fair, ethical, just, good, organic, sustainable, hiphonest… a large number of terms are used to name and categorize that, what we have chosen to call “fair fashion”. What we consider fair fashion, is fashion manufactured in a way, that contribute to just conditions in the fashion industry. In means of social circumstances or environmental impact, and preferably, both. That take distance from child labour, that take care for nature and is produced with respect to the planet and it’s inhabitants. The market for fair fashion is booming. In some countries it’s already common, in others it’s just getting started. And it’s not at all a revolution of woolen socks; there is an increasing offer of beautiful, hip, sexy, savvy fashion that makes you look good and, thanks to environmentally and socially sound production, feel great.

Ethical, sustainable, organic? What does it mean? We made a small map of the fair fashion jungle and how to do the talking:

Ethical fashion means fashion, which takes into consideration the people behind the clothes we wear, as well as the environment. It means producing clothing that make sustainable use of natural resources, preserve natural environments and respect the inhabitants of ecosystems.

Fair trade fashion is fashion made under fair trade conditions. Fair trade, as defined by the Fairtrade Foundation, means paying better prices, ensuring decent working conditions, local sustainability, and fair terms of trade for farmers and workers in the developing world.

Organic fashion means clothes, which have been made with a minimum use of chemicals and with minimum damage to the environment. This includes chemicals and other substances used during every step in the process, from growing cotton, to the dying and finishing of the fabric. There are several certifications that guarantee that a material is organic. Finished garments with a certified organic labeling, are less common as i.e. it’s hard to dye textile in any desired color using organic substances. More common is ready garments made from certified organic cotton, where the further manufacture process is sustainable (where chemicals are used, but only these known to be harmless). In other words, organic and sustainable both means environmentally friendly, but organic goes a bit further in this. Sustainable fashion also refers to fashion produced with sustainable materials and manufacturing practices, both including the care for a sustainable, healthy environment and socially just working conditions.

Recycling fashion means fashion made from recycled materials. Recycling has positive effect on the environment in many ways; it makes less waste and takes less raw materials. Textiles present particular problems in landfill, as i.e. synthetic products do not decompose, while woolen garments do decompose and produce methane, contributing to global warming. Recycling results in less pollution and energy savings, as fibers do not have to be transported from abroad. This saves on the energy used and pollution caused during manufacturing processes like dying, washing, and scouring. Recycling textile is being made both by reusing clothing, reusing the fibers or reusing rest material that otherwise would be thrown away.

Eco fashion commonly refers to clothing that has been manufactured using environmentally-friendly processes. This include organic and sustainable clothing. Eco fashion clothing can also be made from recycled clothing and even recycled materials such as eco-fleece produced from recycled plastic soda bottles. Eco fashion is not necessarily made from organic fibers.