so I start today with a couple of questions for you
questions for you
questions for you and first off with a request I’d like
and first off with a request I’d like
and first off with a request I’d like for you to take a look at the clothes
for you to take a look at the clothes
for you to take a look at the clothes and maybe the shoes that you’re wearing
and maybe the shoes that you’re wearing
and maybe the shoes that you’re wearing right now or at least think about them
right now or at least think about them
right now or at least think about them for a second do you know who made these
for a second do you know who made these
for a second do you know who made these clothes do you know what that person was
clothes do you know what that person was
clothes do you know what that person was paid do you know what country they were
paid do you know what country they were
paid do you know what country they were made in if you’re anything like me the
made in if you’re anything like me the
made in if you’re anything like me the answer to that question is likely no
answer to that question is likely no
answer to that question is likely no this is the reality of the fashion
this is the reality of the fashion
this is the reality of the fashion industry today an industry that has been
industry today an industry that has been
industry today an industry that has been completely defined by a lack of
completely defined by a lack of
completely defined by a lack of connection between the original producer
connection between the original producer
connection between the original producer of our goods and thus is the end
of our goods and thus is the end
of our goods and thus is the end consumer but it wasn’t always this way
consumer but it wasn’t always this way
consumer but it wasn’t always this way in fact a hundred years ago you knew the
in fact a hundred years ago you knew the
in fact a hundred years ago you knew the name of the shoe maker in town or the
name of the shoe maker in town or the
name of the shoe maker in town or the tailor seamstress
tailor seamstress
tailor seamstress you probably knew him quite well in as
you probably knew him quite well in as
you probably knew him quite well in as late as the 1960s 95% of our clothes
late as the 1960s 95% of our clothes
late as the 1960s 95% of our clothes were made right here in the United
were made right here in the United
were made right here in the United States today that figure is less than 3%
States today that figure is less than 3%
States today that figure is less than 3% and as the distance from the production
and as the distance from the production
and as the distance from the production location to the purchase location of our
location to the purchase location of our
location to the purchase location of our products has grown
products has grown
products has grown what is decreased is the amount of
what is decreased is the amount of
what is decreased is the amount of accountability and transparency in our
accountability and transparency in our
accountability and transparency in our supply chains as you might imagine this
supply chains as you might imagine this
supply chains as you might imagine this has had disastrous implications for
has had disastrous implications for
has had disastrous implications for people the planet and even us as the end
people the planet and even us as the end
people the planet and even us as the end consumer what I’m curious to know is
consumer what I’m curious to know is
consumer what I’m curious to know is does it have to be this way in order to
does it have to be this way in order to
does it have to be this way in order to dig into these issues and understand a
dig into these issues and understand a
dig into these issues and understand a bit further the first thing we have to
bit further the first thing we have to
bit further the first thing we have to do is understand what exactly’s happened
do is understand what exactly’s happened
do is understand what exactly’s happened and over the past several decades is the
and over the past several decades is the
and over the past several decades is the world has continued to globalize trade
world has continued to globalize trade
world has continued to globalize trade barriers have softened which is enabled
barriers have softened which is enabled
barriers have softened which is enabled major brands to jump from one country to
major brands to jump from one country to
major brands to jump from one country to the next
the next
the next in pursuit of cheaper and cheaper
in pursuit of cheaper and cheaper
in pursuit of cheaper and cheaper materials and cheaper and cheaper labor
materials and cheaper and cheaper labor
materials and cheaper and cheaper labor the result as this chart depicts on the
the result as this chart depicts on the
the result as this chart depicts on the top line this is a Consumer Price Index
top line this is a Consumer Price Index
top line this is a Consumer Price Index chart
chart
chart the price for all consumer goods
the price for all consumer goods
the price for all consumer goods combined has grown by 70% since the
combined has grown by 70% since the
combined has grown by 70% since the mid-1990s yet the price of our clothing
mid-1990s yet the price of our clothing
mid-1990s yet the price of our clothing with the acceleration of fast fashion
with the acceleration of fast fashion
with the acceleration of fast fashion being introduced in the early 90s has
being introduced in the early 90s has
being introduced in the early 90s has actually decreased by six percent and
actually decreased by six percent and
actually decreased by six percent and for any of you that ever have ever
for any of you that ever have ever
for any of you that ever have ever walked into one of these big-box
walked into one of these big-box
walked into one of these big-box retailers with bright lights and booming
retailers with bright lights and booming
retailers with bright lights and booming music and seeing these obnoxious price
music and seeing these obnoxious price
music and seeing these obnoxious price tags 15 dollars for a pair of pants
tags 15 dollars for a pair of pants
tags 15 dollars for a pair of pants twenty-five dollars for a sweater we
twenty-five dollars for a sweater we
twenty-five dollars for a sweater we felt this change and for the industry
felt this change and for the industry
felt this change and for the industry cheaper faster higher volume has meant
cheaper faster higher volume has meant
cheaper faster higher volume has meant great success as today the fashion
great success as today the fashion
great success as today the fashion industry is a three trillion dollar
industry is a three trillion dollar
industry is a three trillion dollar industry reaching its most profitable
industry reaching its most profitable
industry reaching its most profitable moment in history yet is my good friend
moment in history yet is my good friend
moment in history yet is my good friend Andrew Morgan asks in his film the true
Andrew Morgan asks in his film the true
Andrew Morgan asks in his film the true cost who is bearing the brunt of the
cost who is bearing the brunt of the
cost who is bearing the brunt of the success of this industry well that is
success of this industry well that is
success of this industry well that is the people making our products the
the people making our products the
the people making our products the planet that we live in and ultimately us
planet that we live in and ultimately us
planet that we live in and ultimately us is the end consumer when it comes to you
is the end consumer when it comes to you
is the end consumer when it comes to you and me the concept of fast fashion and
and me the concept of fast fashion and
and me the concept of fast fashion and these cheap prices make us believe that
these cheap prices make us believe that
these cheap prices make us believe that we’re actually saving money that it’s
we’re actually saving money that it’s
we’re actually saving money that it’s good for our wallets but actually all
good for our wallets but actually all
good for our wallets but actually all that’s happening is that we’re buying
that’s happening is that we’re buying
that’s happening is that we’re buying more since the early 1990s average
more since the early 1990s average
more since the early 1990s average consumption has increased by 500% and
consumption has increased by 500% and
consumption has increased by 500% and what’s interesting about this is that
what’s interesting about this is that
what’s interesting about this is that while our closets may have gotten a
while our closets may have gotten a
while our closets may have gotten a little bit bigger since the early 90s I
little bit bigger since the early 90s I
little bit bigger since the early 90s I don’t think that they’re physically five
don’t think that they’re physically five
don’t think that they’re physically five or six times the square footage that
or six times the square footage that
or six times the square footage that they once were are they and I’d like to
they once were are they and I’d like to
they once were are they and I’d like to suggest that that is because the value
suggest that that is because the value
suggest that that is because the value of the products that we’re buying the
of the products that we’re buying the
of the products that we’re buying the quality of the products we’re buying has
quality of the products we’re buying has
quality of the products we’re buying has gone right down with the cost and this
gone right down with the cost and this
gone right down with the cost and this is one of the ways that fast fashion is
is one of the ways that fast fashion is
is one of the ways that fast fashion is fooled us again into believing that
fooled us again into believing that
fooled us again into believing that we’re saving money when in reality all
we’re saving money when in reality all
we’re saving money when in reality all we’re doing is buying more of a lower
we’re doing is buying more of a lower
we’re doing is buying more of a lower quality product but much more
quality product but much more
quality product but much more importantly fast fashion today is
importantly fast fashion today is
importantly fast fashion today is destroying people in the planet and the
destroying people in the planet and the
destroying people in the planet and the fact is we’ve been left completely
fact is we’ve been left completely
fact is we’ve been left completely unaware yet we are half of this equation
unaware yet we are half of this equation
unaware yet we are half of this equation consumers when it comes to the planet
consumers when it comes to the planet
consumers when it comes to the planet what’s going on breaks down into where
what’s going on breaks down into where
what’s going on breaks down into where our products are made how they’re made
our products are made how they’re made
our products are made how they’re made and where they ultimately end up
and where they ultimately end up
and where they ultimately end up regarding where they’re made while in
regarding where they’re made while in
regarding where they’re made while in the US we’ve established much more
the US we’ve established much more
the US we’ve established much more sustainable forms of energy the vast
sustainable forms of energy the vast
sustainable forms of energy the vast majority of our products are made in the
majority of our products are made in the
majority of our products are made in the developing world in countries that are
developing world in countries that are
developing world in countries that are still largely dependent on the dirtiest
still largely dependent on the dirtiest
still largely dependent on the dirtiest of all fossil fuels coal additionally as
of all fossil fuels coal additionally as
of all fossil fuels coal additionally as depicted here by Zara’s supply chain the
depicted here by Zara’s supply chain the
depicted here by Zara’s supply chain the largest fashion retailer in the world
largest fashion retailer in the world
largest fashion retailer in the world oftentimes our products are cut in one
oftentimes our products are cut in one
oftentimes our products are cut in one location assembled in another and have
location assembled in another and have
location assembled in another and have to cross multiple oceans before they end
to cross multiple oceans before they end
to cross multiple oceans before they end up in our hands comes to no surprise
up in our hands comes to no surprise
up in our hands comes to no surprise then that it’s been estimated that the
then that it’s been estimated that the
then that it’s been estimated that the fashion industry is responsible by
fashion industry is responsible by
fashion industry is responsible by itself for 10% of the world’s carbon
itself for 10% of the world’s carbon
itself for 10% of the world’s carbon footprint next up how our products are
footprint next up how our products are
footprint next up how our products are made in order to get the textures and
made in order to get the textures and
made in order to get the textures and the colors that we love in our clothing
the colors that we love in our clothing
the colors that we love in our clothing requires a lot of chemicals and with
requires a lot of chemicals and with
requires a lot of chemicals and with very little regulation these chemicals
very little regulation these chemicals
very little regulation these chemicals have gotten uglier and uglier over time
have gotten uglier and uglier over time
have gotten uglier and uglier over time and throughout the dyeing process a
and throughout the dyeing process a
and throughout the dyeing process a tremendous amount of fresh water is used
tremendous amount of fresh water is used
tremendous amount of fresh water is used and wasted and often times as depicted
and wasted and often times as depicted
and wasted and often times as depicted here these chemicals end up right back
here these chemicals end up right back
here these chemicals end up right back into our freshwater systems and
into our freshwater systems and
into our freshwater systems and regarding the materials being used these
regarding the materials being used these
regarding the materials being used these have gotten worse and worse over time I
have gotten worse and worse over time I
have gotten worse and worse over time I wish I could spend all day telling you
wish I could spend all day telling you
wish I could spend all day telling you about the woes of genetic genetically
about the woes of genetic genetically
about the woes of genetic genetically modified cotton but I’ll focus on a
modified cotton but I’ll focus on a
modified cotton but I’ll focus on a fiber that’s man-made that doesn’t get
fiber that’s man-made that doesn’t get
fiber that’s man-made that doesn’t get quite as much attention and that’s
quite as much attention and that’s
quite as much attention and that’s polyester polyester is now used four
polyester polyester is now used four
polyester polyester is now used four times as much as cotton this is a
times as much as cotton this is a
times as much as cotton this is a man-made energy-intensive fiber that’s
man-made energy-intensive fiber that’s
man-made energy-intensive fiber that’s made up of micro plastics that continue
made up of micro plastics that continue
made up of micro plastics that continue to find their way into our oceans and
to find their way into our oceans and
to find their way into our oceans and into our food systems all of this
into our food systems all of this
into our food systems all of this adds up to the reality that the fashion
adds up to the reality that the fashion
adds up to the reality that the fashion industry is now the second highest
industry is now the second highest
industry is now the second highest polluter of fresh water and now another
polluter of fresh water and now another
polluter of fresh water and now another problem with polyester as it’s made up
problem with polyester as it’s made up
problem with polyester as it’s made up of micro plastics what that’s meant is
of micro plastics what that’s meant is
of micro plastics what that’s meant is that every single piece of polyester
that every single piece of polyester
that every single piece of polyester that’s ever been made is still in
that’s ever been made is still in
that’s ever been made is still in existence today which is how we end up
existence today which is how we end up
existence today which is how we end up with mountains of clothing like this in
with mountains of clothing like this in
with mountains of clothing like this in landfill fills and if you think back on
landfill fills and if you think back on
landfill fills and if you think back on that five hundred percent consumption
that five hundred percent consumption
that five hundred percent consumption stat and the fact that our closets
stat and the fact that our closets
stat and the fact that our closets aren’t much bigger maybe it’s not that
aren’t much bigger maybe it’s not that
aren’t much bigger maybe it’s not that big of surprise then that estimates
big of surprise then that estimates
big of surprise then that estimates range 50 to 85 pounds as being the
range 50 to 85 pounds as being the
range 50 to 85 pounds as being the amount of product that consumers throw
amount of product that consumers throw
amount of product that consumers throw out the door throw away each year and
out the door throw away each year and
out the door throw away each year and globally 4 billion pounds of textile
globally 4 billion pounds of textile
globally 4 billion pounds of textile waste is put into landfills each year so
waste is put into landfills each year so
waste is put into landfills each year so we think about how our products are made
we think about how our products are made
we think about how our products are made where they’re made and where they end up
where they’re made and where they end up
where they’re made and where they end up the grave reality is that it’s estimated
the grave reality is that it’s estimated
the grave reality is that it’s estimated that the fashion industry is the second
that the fashion industry is the second
that the fashion industry is the second most polluted industry in the entire
most polluted industry in the entire
most polluted industry in the entire world today behind only oil and when it
world today behind only oil and when it
world today behind only oil and when it comes to people as I mentioned earlier
comes to people as I mentioned earlier
comes to people as I mentioned earlier this search for cheaper and cheaper
this search for cheaper and cheaper
this search for cheaper and cheaper labor moving from one country to the
labor moving from one country to the
labor moving from one country to the next has created a race to the bottom
next has created a race to the bottom
next has created a race to the bottom that’s now full of abuse in the supply
that’s now full of abuse in the supply
that’s now full of abuse in the supply chain it’s created a natural house of
chain it’s created a natural house of
chain it’s created a natural house of cards that could literally collapse at
cards that could literally collapse at
cards that could literally collapse at any moment and to give an example of
any moment and to give an example of
any moment and to give an example of this I’d like to talk briefly about the
this I’d like to talk briefly about the
this I’d like to talk briefly about the country of Bangladesh this is a
country of Bangladesh this is a
country of Bangladesh this is a government who has strategically kept
government who has strategically kept
government who has strategically kept their minimum wage at a low place so as
their minimum wage at a low place so as
their minimum wage at a low place so as to attract foreign investment for major
to attract foreign investment for major
to attract foreign investment for major apparel companies and from a
apparel companies and from a
apparel companies and from a capitalistic perspective while this has
capitalistic perspective while this has
capitalistic perspective while this has been great because they’re now enjoying
been great because they’re now enjoying
been great because they’re now enjoying one of the fastest growing economies in
one of the fastest growing economies in
one of the fastest growing economies in the world the reality is that this house
the world the reality is that this house
the world the reality is that this house of cards actually did collapse on a
of cards actually did collapse on a
of cards actually did collapse on a world stage just a few years ago if you
world stage just a few years ago if you
world stage just a few years ago if you recall the rana factory collapse the
recall the rana factory collapse the
recall the rana factory collapse the Olly enterprises fire they killed over
Olly enterprises fire they killed over
Olly enterprises fire they killed over 2,000 people and injured thousands more
2,000 people and injured thousands more
2,000 people and injured thousands more all of whom were garment workers making
all of whom were garment workers making
all of whom were garment workers making the clothes that we wear every day
apart from these tragedies a similar
apart from these tragedies a similar reality exists in the rest of the world
reality exists in the rest of the world
reality exists in the rest of the world this is an industry where child labor
this is an industry where child labor
this is an industry where child labor and forced labor abound and in countries
and forced labor abound and in countries
and forced labor abound and in countries like Bangladesh Sri Lanka in India
like Bangladesh Sri Lanka in India
like Bangladesh Sri Lanka in India government’s are legalizing a $70 wage
government’s are legalizing a $70 wage
government’s are legalizing a $70 wage minimum wage per month which means that
minimum wage per month which means that
minimum wage per month which means that if you break that down that’s less just
if you break that down that’s less just
if you break that down that’s less just over $2 a day for the producer
over $2 a day for the producer
over $2 a day for the producer thus systematically holding people in a
thus systematically holding people in a
thus systematically holding people in a cycle of extreme poverty we when we
cycle of extreme poverty we when we
cycle of extreme poverty we when we think about what’s going on in our
think about what’s going on in our
think about what’s going on in our planet what’s going on the people in
planet what’s going on the people in
planet what’s going on the people in this supply chain it begs an obvious
this supply chain it begs an obvious
this supply chain it begs an obvious question could there be a better way
question could there be a better way
question could there be a better way my co-founder Zoe and I started me solo
my co-founder Zoe and I started me solo
my co-founder Zoe and I started me solo not only to make beautiful products to
not only to make beautiful products to
not only to make beautiful products to compete with top names in the industry
compete with top names in the industry
compete with top names in the industry but also to start a brand that would
but also to start a brand that would
but also to start a brand that would care for the producer and the end
care for the producer and the end
care for the producer and the end consumer as well as the planet by
consumer as well as the planet by
consumer as well as the planet by offering beyond Fairtrade wages health
offering beyond Fairtrade wages health
offering beyond Fairtrade wages health care and a healthy working environment
care and a healthy working environment
care and a healthy working environment and by investing deeply in the
and by investing deeply in the
and by investing deeply in the well-being of our producers every day in
well-being of our producers every day in
well-being of our producers every day in the factory that we’ve built from the
the factory that we’ve built from the
the factory that we’ve built from the ground up our team is trying to turn
ground up our team is trying to turn
ground up our team is trying to turn this vision of a different way into
this vision of a different way into
this vision of a different way into reality rather than offering wages that
reality rather than offering wages that
reality rather than offering wages that are holding people in a cycle of extreme
are holding people in a cycle of extreme
are holding people in a cycle of extreme poverty on average new solar producers
poverty on average new solar producers
poverty on average new solar producers receive 30% higher than Fairtrade and
receive 30% higher than Fairtrade and
receive 30% higher than Fairtrade and requirements rather than offering a
requirements rather than offering a
requirements rather than offering a working environment that’s referred to
working environment that’s referred to
working environment that’s referred to today as modern-day slavery we’re
today as modern-day slavery we’re
today as modern-day slavery we’re investing deeply into the livelihoods of
investing deeply into the livelihoods of
investing deeply into the livelihoods of our producers in their families offering
our producers in their families offering
our producers in their families offering things like financial literacy training
things like financial literacy training
things like financial literacy training savings programs professional
savings programs professional
savings programs professional development training skills training
development training skills training
development training skills training nutrition classes health classes English
nutrition classes health classes English
nutrition classes health classes English classes the list goes on and what we
classes the list goes on and what we
classes the list goes on and what we want to know is what would happen if
want to know is what would happen if
want to know is what would happen if this is what the rest of the industry
this is what the rest of the industry
this is what the rest of the industry looked like
looked like
looked like a few results that are important to note
a few results that are important to note
a few results that are important to note are on average these solo producers are
are on average these solo producers are
are on average these solo producers are receiving 140 percent higher annual
receiving 140 percent higher annual
receiving 140 percent higher annual income than what they received before
income than what they received before
income than what they received before they worked with me solo and four women
they worked with me solo and four women
they worked with me solo and four women in our factory that figure is a hundred
in our factory that figure is a hundred
in our factory that figure is a hundred and seventy three percent what I’d like
and seventy three percent what I’d like
and seventy three percent what I’d like to know is what would happen in the rest
to know is what would happen in the rest
to know is what would happen in the rest of this industry if this is the way
of this industry if this is the way
of this industry if this is the way things work what would happen to future
things work what would happen to future
things work what would happen to future generations if this is what the industry
generations if this is what the industry
generations if this is what the industry looked like in another compelling stat
looked like in another compelling stat
looked like in another compelling stat is that whereas for our shoe makers 50
is that whereas for our shoe makers 50
is that whereas for our shoe makers 50 percent of them in their younger years
percent of them in their younger years
percent of them in their younger years had to leave they could not graduate
had to leave they could not graduate
had to leave they could not graduate from a public high school because they
from a public high school because they
from a public high school because they had to leave and help put food on the
had to leave and help put food on the
had to leave and help put food on the table for their families 100 percent of
table for their families 100 percent of
table for their families 100 percent of our shoe makers children are in school
our shoe makers children are in school
our shoe makers children are in school today and 13% of them are studying at
today and 13% of them are studying at
today and 13% of them are studying at university all of them will be first
university all of them will be first
university all of them will be first time college graduates not just in the
time college graduates not just in the
time college graduates not just in the history of their families but in their
history of their families but in their
history of their families but in their communities as well
and I know what some of you might be
and I know what some of you might be thinking it sounds great fair trade
thinking it sounds great fair trade
thinking it sounds great fair trade ethical fashion we get it go ahead and
ethical fashion we get it go ahead and
ethical fashion we get it go ahead and show us some pictures of maybe some some
show us some pictures of maybe some some
show us some pictures of maybe some some crafty looking sandals or perhaps if
crafty looking sandals or perhaps if
crafty looking sandals or perhaps if these products do look good they must be
these products do look good they must be
these products do look good they must be obnoxiously expensive these are the
obnoxiously expensive these are the
obnoxiously expensive these are the stereotypes we have to get rid of these
stereotypes we have to get rid of these
stereotypes we have to get rid of these are pictures of me solo products every
are pictures of me solo products every
are pictures of me solo products every day our team is investing time into the
day our team is investing time into the
day our team is investing time into the quality and design of these products
quality and design of these products
quality and design of these products knowing that only by competing with the
knowing that only by competing with the
knowing that only by competing with the top brands in the industry who are
top brands in the industry who are
top brands in the industry who are cutting corners left and right will we
cutting corners left and right will we
cutting corners left and right will we be able to drive the change that’s
be able to drive the change that’s
be able to drive the change that’s necessary and when it comes to our
necessary and when it comes to our
necessary and when it comes to our business model we’ve cut out all the
business model we’ve cut out all the
business model we’ve cut out all the middlemen along the way we work directly
middlemen along the way we work directly
middlemen along the way we work directly with ethical factories and so directly
with ethical factories and so directly
with ethical factories and so directly through our website to you as the end
through our website to you as the end
through our website to you as the end consumer this way we can offer a
consumer this way we can offer a
consumer this way we can offer a competitive price point and maintain
competitive price point and maintain
competitive price point and maintain healthy margins the work that we’re
healthy margins the work that we’re
healthy margins the work that we’re doing in many brands like us are doing
doing in many brands like us are doing
doing in many brands like us are doing right now in the industry is beginning
right now in the industry is beginning
right now in the industry is beginning to challenge the assumption that our
to challenge the assumption that our
to challenge the assumption that our values and ethics have to be at odds
values and ethics have to be at odds
values and ethics have to be at odds with our personal style our consumption
with our personal style our consumption
with our personal style our consumption choices but the reality is that’s still
choices but the reality is that’s still
choices but the reality is that’s still the truth in the most in most parts of
the truth in the most in most parts of
the truth in the most in most parts of the industry but it doesn’t have to be
the industry but it doesn’t have to be
the industry but it doesn’t have to be this way and I’d like to suggest that
this way and I’d like to suggest that
this way and I’d like to suggest that change is realistic and here’s a few
change is realistic and here’s a few
change is realistic and here’s a few reason why first off when we think about
reason why first off when we think about
reason why first off when we think about the labor cost what would it take to
the labor cost what would it take to
the labor cost what would it take to create living wages at the bottom of the
create living wages at the bottom of the
create living wages at the bottom of the supply chain well if you think about the
supply chain well if you think about the
supply chain well if you think about the shirt you’re wearing right now the
shirt you’re wearing right now the
shirt you’re wearing right now the reality is that the end price that
reality is that the end price that
reality is that the end price that you’re paying only about one to three
you’re paying only about one to three
you’re paying only about one to three percent of that is given to the original
percent of that is given to the original
percent of that is given to the original producer so we’re not talking about big
producer so we’re not talking about big
producer so we’re not talking about big changes in prices or margins that brands
changes in prices or margins that brands
changes in prices or margins that brands are receiving when it comes to
are receiving when it comes to
are receiving when it comes to technology we already have technology
technology we already have technology
technology we already have technology for cleaner forms of energy we already
for cleaner forms of energy we already
for cleaner forms of energy we already have technology for better fibers than
have technology for better fibers than
have technology for better fibers than polyester if I can pull my phone out and
polyester if I can pull my phone out and
polyester if I can pull my phone out and press one button and be facetiming with
press one button and be facetiming with
press one button and be facetiming with an HR manager in a factory on the other
an HR manager in a factory on the other
an HR manager in a factory on the other side of the planet or I can press
side of the planet or I can press
side of the planet or I can press another button and know exactly how many
another button and know exactly how many
another button and know exactly how many feet of leather we have in stock
feet of leather we have in stock
feet of leather we have in stock thousands of miles away then I refuse to
thousands of miles away then I refuse to
thousands of miles away then I refuse to believe that we lack the technology to
believe that we lack the technology to
believe that we lack the technology to create better accountability in trance
create better accountability in trance
create better accountability in trance nc all the way down the supply chain
nc all the way down the supply chain
nc all the way down the supply chain when it comes to governments we know
when it comes to governments we know
when it comes to governments we know they have the ability to enforce these
they have the ability to enforce these
they have the ability to enforce these change but what they need is demand from
change but what they need is demand from
change but what they need is demand from the citizenship and so what about
the citizenship and so what about
the citizenship and so what about consumer desire well consumer studies
consumer desire well consumer studies
consumer desire well consumer studies show that 91% of millennial consumers
show that 91% of millennial consumers
show that 91% of millennial consumers are willing to give an ethical brand a
are willing to give an ethical brand a
are willing to give an ethical brand a try or change their brand loyalty if
try or change their brand loyalty if
try or change their brand loyalty if their sustainability and price and
their sustainability and price and
their sustainability and price and quality are comparable and so I’d like
quality are comparable and so I’d like
quality are comparable and so I’d like to ask you a question would you be
to ask you a question would you be
to ask you a question would you be willing to give an ethical brand to try
willing to give an ethical brand to try
willing to give an ethical brand to try if you had comparable price or quality
if you had comparable price or quality
if you had comparable price or quality or maybe even taking it a step further
or maybe even taking it a step further
or maybe even taking it a step further would you be willing to pay one to three
would you be willing to pay one to three
would you be willing to pay one to three percent more for the cost of your
percent more for the cost of your
percent more for the cost of your products if it meant the difference
products if it meant the difference
products if it meant the difference between extreme poverty and a living
between extreme poverty and a living
between extreme poverty and a living wage
[Applause]
[Applause] the free market has always shown that
the free market has always shown that
the free market has always shown that where there is demand supply will be
where there is demand supply will be
where there is demand supply will be created in the way that we create this
created in the way that we create this
created in the way that we create this demand is by turning these desires into
demand is by turning these desires into
demand is by turning these desires into action and as a consumer you’re one of
action and as a consumer you’re one of
action and as a consumer you’re one of the most important stakeholders in this
the most important stakeholders in this
the most important stakeholders in this equation so I’d like to leave you with a
equation so I’d like to leave you with a
equation so I’d like to leave you with a few things all of us can do to create
few things all of us can do to create
few things all of us can do to create this change first off stay curious and
this change first off stay curious and
this change first off stay curious and get involved if there’s anything I’ve
get involved if there’s anything I’ve
get involved if there’s anything I’ve said today that has struck a chord with
said today that has struck a chord with
said today that has struck a chord with you I encourage you to dive deeper into
you I encourage you to dive deeper into
you I encourage you to dive deeper into these issues questioning the brands that
these issues questioning the brands that
these issues questioning the brands that you love understanding their methodology
you love understanding their methodology
you love understanding their methodology and process and secondly all of us can
and process and secondly all of us can
and process and secondly all of us can consume smarter this may happen first
consume smarter this may happen first
consume smarter this may happen first and foremost by taking better care of
and foremost by taking better care of
and foremost by taking better care of the products that we own now being so
the products that we own now being so
the products that we own now being so bold as to shop secondhand or if you are
bold as to shop secondhand or if you are
bold as to shop secondhand or if you are going to buy from a new brand or new
going to buy from a new brand or new
going to buy from a new brand or new products then choose an ethical brand
products then choose an ethical brand
products then choose an ethical brand look for third-party certification like
look for third-party certification like
look for third-party certification like B Corp and Fairtrade fine brands you can
B Corp and Fairtrade fine brands you can
B Corp and Fairtrade fine brands you can trust and I don’t want to hear the
trust and I don’t want to hear the
trust and I don’t want to hear the excuse that it’s too hard to find I
excuse that it’s too hard to find I
excuse that it’s too hard to find I encourage you to type the word
encourage you to type the word
encourage you to type the word sustainable or ethical into this
sustainable or ethical into this
sustainable or ethical into this incredible tool called Google and
incredible tool called Google and
incredible tool called Google and there’s a strong chance that maybe the
there’s a strong chance that maybe the
there’s a strong chance that maybe the brand isn’t perfect but there’s a strong
brand isn’t perfect but there’s a strong
brand isn’t perfect but there’s a strong chance that it’s better than what you’re
chance that it’s better than what you’re
chance that it’s better than what you’re purchasing today and in closing maybe
purchasing today and in closing maybe
purchasing today and in closing maybe you’re like me maybe you didn’t grow up
you’re like me maybe you didn’t grow up
you’re like me maybe you didn’t grow up with a passion for the fashion industry
with a passion for the fashion industry
with a passion for the fashion industry at all maybe you don’t think twice about
at all maybe you don’t think twice about
at all maybe you don’t think twice about the clothes that you put on each day but
the clothes that you put on each day but
the clothes that you put on each day but what I want to encourage you think about
what I want to encourage you think about
what I want to encourage you think about is that if you care about the cost per
is that if you care about the cost per
is that if you care about the cost per wear value in the quality of your
wear value in the quality of your
wear value in the quality of your products if you care about the
products if you care about the
products if you care about the environment if you care about climate
environment if you care about climate
environment if you care about climate change if you care about poverty
change if you care about poverty
change if you care about poverty alleviation if you care about women’s
alleviation if you care about women’s
alleviation if you care about women’s empowerment or any of the other issues
empowerment or any of the other issues
empowerment or any of the other issues that I’ve brushed on today I encourage
that I’ve brushed on today I encourage
that I’ve brushed on today I encourage you to look no further than the clothes
you to look no further than the clothes
you to look no further than the clothes you’re putting on each morning and the
you’re putting on each morning and the
you’re putting on each morning and the purchases you’re making each season and
purchases you’re making each season and
purchases you’re making each season and I’d like to close with an invitation
I’d like to close with an invitation
I’d like to close with an invitation knowing all this information let’s begin
knowing all this information let’s begin
knowing all this information let’s begin to work together
to work together
to work together to return fashion to what it once was
to return fashion to what it once was
to return fashion to what it once was about people about art and valuing the
about people about art and valuing the
about people about art and valuing the producer and the planet just as much as
producer and the planet just as much as
producer and the planet just as much as we value ourselves as the end consumer
we value ourselves as the end consumer
we value ourselves as the end consumer thank you
thank you
thank you [Applause]
[Applause]
[Applause] [Music]
”
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