Photo: People Tree I'm a graduate of BA fashion studies wishing to find a career in the ethical/fair trade fashion industry. Are there maby jobs in this field?

Also could you advise me further on useful sites where I could find jobs in this industry?

Elizabeth Lasker co-director of Ethical Fashion Forum answers:

It’s such a fertile industry at the moment - there are jobs but you have to search for them, and that means going to as many fair trade and ethical fashion shows as you possible can.

Also approach designers telling them "this is what I do, this is my skill, look at my work – I’d really like to design for you".

You’ve got to be very pro-active. If you look at the professional fashion business it’s served on a platter for you but that’s not what this industry is about. This is a very creative industry, so you have to be more pioneering.

My organisation (the Ethical Fashion Forum) is a really useful resource for what’s happening in the ethical fashion world and possible employment opportunities. We have about 400 designers underneath our umbrella and many of those are recent graduates. We also work with colleges and universities.

Keep trying. The information is out there. It just takes determination.

Saory Ito, design and product development, at ethical fashion label People Tree answers:

You need to find out what kind of ethical fashion companies are around, send in your CV and examples of your work. If you get the chance to talk to them explain that you’re really passionate about ethical fashion and then there’s a good chance that they will take you on for work experience which is really useful.

It’s also not bad to have experience in normal fashion companies. The experience of working in this industry, and seeing what’s wrong with it, can be a really good way of educating yourself as to how things should be done differently.

In the ethical fashion industry the difficult thing is that there is a limitation on producers. It’s easier to be creative without any conscience. But it’s a lot more satisfying to work for a company like People Tree.

Abigail MacDougall, public relations manager at People Tree, adds:

The Ethical Fashion Forum is probably the best fair trade fashion resource. I would also approach fashion companies directly. Examples include People Tree, Katharine Hamnett, Traid, Junkie Styling and Gossypium.

If you approach fashion labels you admire or want to get involved with then whether or not they are able to help you by letting you volunteer, they will probably be able to point you in the right direction.

Ethical Fashion Forum
www.ethicalfashionforum.com
(Goes live in April, but can receive emails: info@theethicalfashionforum.com)

People Tree
www.ptree.co.uk

Email this article | Printer friendly page | Top of Page