Contact Ethical Fashion Forum for event and ticket information.
Tuesday, May 19, 2009 at 6:00 PM - Tuesday, August 18, 2009 at 9:30 PM (GMT)
The Ethical Fashion Forum is running a seminar and masterclass series throughout 2009 called “Spotlight on Sourcing”, as part of our Fashion+ project, focused on how fashion can change lives.
Evening seminars take place at RICHMIX from 6pm on the 3rd Tuesday of every month (excluding fashion weeks) featuring presentations by leading practitioners and experts, updates from suppliers, sourcing marketplace, and structured networking.
Masterclasses take place from 2-5 pm , in the afternoon before each evening seminar.
Registration for any event will give you an invite to join the online forum specific to the topic of the event. Sign up for any event to access the Spotlight on Sourcing group on the EFF network, where you will find a summary of panel discussions available to download from all Spotlight on Sourcing events, and have the opportunity to connect with other participants.
SCROLL DOWN FOR DETAILS OF ALL THE EVENTS IN THE SERIES
TUESDAY 19TH MAY:
6PM SEMINAR 4: SPOTLIGHT ON ASIA
If you are in business in fashion, sourcing from Asia is almost inevitable.
China holds more than 65% of the global market in total apparel exports. (2006) Trade Unions are still illegal in China- meaning that companies cannot secure the right to collective bargaining for their suppliers in China. Hong Kong, Phillipines, Malaysia, Indonesia, Bangladesh, Srilanka, Pakistan, Thailand and India, are all major players in relation to garment production. In many of these countries, average pay rates for garment workers remain below $1 a day. How are companies addressing these issues and what best practice can help inform high social and environmental standards in fashion production in Asia?
Through case studies and first hand accounts from practitioners, the event will give an insight into how different sourcing models , products and businesses have maximised benefits to communities and minimised environmental impact in Asia.
The panel will include representatives from both smaller and larger businesses, as well as experts on sourcing to high sustainability standards from India and China.
Alongside the seminar, there will be a marketplace featuring suppliers, leading brands and support organisations working in Asia.
2-5 PM MASTERCLASS 3: SOURCING FROM CO-OPERATIVES
This masterclass looks in more depth at the issues covered in the Sourcing from Co-operatives seminar, in April. Small co-operatives all over the world are producing fashion and textile products to high standards. At the same time, co-operative and fair trade structures ensure that the benefits of sales go directly to the people , and their families, who need them the most.
Come to this masterclass to consult and work with experts and practitioners on the specific issues facing your business, and how you can effectively engage with co-operatives and fair trade groups.
TUESDAY 23RD JUNE:
6PM SEMINAR 5: CERTIFICATION & STANDARDS
Certification, standards, and labelling for fashion products is an increasingly complex topic. In todays climate of conscious consumers and probing press and buyers, high sustainability standards and robust certification systems are essential.
This seminar looks in depth at the range of certification and standards options available for fashion businesses. The seminar will approach the issues from a practitioners perspective, assessing different models of production and sizes of business, the most appropriate certification, labelling and standard setting options , and how these can be built into business models.
Alongside this seminar, representatives from certification, labelling, and standard setting bodies will be invited to exhibit and distributing information about the options available.
2-5PM MASTERCLASS 4: FUNDING AND FINANCE FOR ETHICAL FASHION
This masterclass will look at the specific challenges and opportunites for funding for small to medium enterprises in the ethical fashion sector. Delivered by experts and practitioners this masterclass will allow you the opportunity to explore the ways to open the doors to finance and funding for your business.
TUESDAY 21ST JULY:
6PM SEMINAR 6: SPOTLIGHT ON BRAZIL & LATIN AMERICA
When it comes to how fashion can change lives, Brazil is a pretty inspirational model.
Brazil is currently the world’s second largest denim fabric producer, third largest knitted fabrics producer and fifth largest apparel producer. Brazil is also becoming an important market for designer fashion. At the same time Brazil is taking great strides in relation to fair trade and environmental impact reduction initiatives.
Carlos Miele, who regularly shows on the international catwalks, was one of the first high profile designers to work directly with cooperatives in the favelas of Rio de Janeiro, building on skills and creating sustainable livelihoods. Now Brazil has a marketing body that deals specifically with fairly sourced products and is meeting the demands of a growing market for sustainably produced fabric from recycled bottles (PET) to organic cotton an a range of innovative mixes.
This seminar focuses on the specific challenges and opportunities related to sourcing for fashion products from Latin America, with a focus upon Brazil. Through case studies and first hand accounts from practitioners, the event will give an insight into how different sourcing models , products and businesses have maximised benefits to communities and minimised environmental impact.
Alongside the seminar, there will be a marketplace featuring suppliers, leading brands and support organisations working with and from Latin America.
2-5PM MASTERCLASS 5: CERTIFICATION AND STANDARDS
Following on from Junes seminar this masterclass will allow you to look in more depth at the certification , labelling and standards options open to your business. Run by experts and practitioners.
TUESDAY 18TH AUGUST:
6PM SEMINAR 7: SPOTLIGHT ON AFRICA
Sub-Saharan Africa loses about 5% of GDP, or some $28.4 billion annually, a figure that exceeds total aid flows and debt relief to the region in 2003. (2006 UN Human Development Report)
In Kenya, 30,000 people are employed in the apparel sector- each job generates 5 other jobs (Going Global, The Textile and Apparel Industry, 2007)
Fashion products and supply create a life changing opportunity for many of the poorest communities in Africa. The Africa Inspires project of the International Trade Centre, which facilitates sourcing from Africa for fashion, have secured sustainable employment for 1,500 African slum dwellers and an anticipated 15,000 jobs in 3-5 years.
This seminar focuses on the specific challenges and opportunities related to sourcing for fashion products from a range of locations in Africa. Through case studies, the event will give an insight into how different sourcing models , products and businesses have maximised benefits to communities and minimised environmental impact.
SPEAKERS:
The Chair, Colin McDowel, Creative Director and Founder of Fashion Frindge and has written numerous books on fashion.
Eric Manu, Founder of Clothes Show Ghana, a trade exhibition that creates a platform for interaction between fashion buyers and African garment manufacturers
Cristina Cisilino, Founder of MADE jewellery. MADE is made in Africa and sold through some of the UK's largest retailers
Rohit Kuthiala, Senior Consultant - supply chain at Accenture, working with some of the worlds largest fashion chains
Jo Maiden, Founder and managing director of SOKO- Fair trade and eco garment production unit, employing slum dwellers in Kenya
Claire Hamer, former buyer at Topshop, supply chain consultant, and social entrepreneur - Claire succeeded in integrating sourcing from Africa at the heart of her role as a buyer.
Alongside the seminar, there will be a marketplace featuring suppliers, leading brands and support organisations working with and from Africa
2-5 PM MASTERCLASS 6: PRODUCING OVERSEAS: ASSESSING AND IMPROVING WORKING CONDITIONS
An in depth look at the way your business can assess and improve working conditions if producing fashion products overseas.
ABOUT SPOTLIGHT ON SOURCING
The Spotlight on Sourcing series is part of Fashion + , a DfID funded project aimed at reducing poverty and creating sustainable livelihoods in the supply chains to the UK fashion industry.
The project will do this through:
The project aims to integrate training on development, poverty reduction and sustainable livelihood creation as a core part of all fashion business training in the UK.
Tuesday, May 19, 2009 at 6:00 PM
- to -
Tuesday, August 18, 2009 at 9:30 PM (GMT)
Add to my calendarThe Ethical Fashion Forum (EFF) is a new kind of trade association for the fashion industry, led by businesses, for businesses, and focused on social and environmental sustainability.
The Ethical Fashion Forum aims to facilitate broad and fundamental change towards better practices in the fashion industry within the next 10 years.
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