Tracking down ethical fashion

For the past few months I've been a detective for Good on You, tracking down fashion that's good for you and the planet.

I've investigated half a dozen brands like Jack London, Elle McPherson underwear and Nina Ricci. And what I've found is that nothing is as it seems.

Elle doesn't own those brands with her name on them and neither does Nina Ricci. So far I haven't found any brands or companies that have a convincing policy or process to ensure minimum working conditions and pay rates for workers, to exclude child labour, to exclude cruelty to animals or to protect the environment. But I haven't found any evidence that they've done any of these things or broken the law either. It looks to me as though they think it doesn't matter.

The clothing industry is one of the most polluting industries and it kills and injures people who work in it, so what they do is important. You can influence what they do without having to wear sack cloth. And you don't have to spend hours researching your favourite brands.

Good on You is an Australian initiative to 'create a world where consumers’ choices drive businesses to be sustainable and fair.' They've developed an app so when you're in the shop or online you can check how your chosen items rate. To find out more go here