Taken from Rapha |
After the tragedy in Bangladesh, my friend, Angelina, made the comment that "if this happened in Bangladesh, can you imagine what is happening in China?" It was very much rhetorical, with no room for China to possibly show its good side within the fashion industry. However, many of us would be surprised by the big names in ethical fashion that use Chinese factories. Heard of a certain sportswear company by the name of PATAGONIA? Or what about the pioneering STEWART+BROWN?
When we see or hear "Made in China" we automatically envision the worst. We think of factories packed with underpaid, and, often, underaged workers, poor quality items and cheap cheap cheap. However, all is not lost in China. With its supernova presence on the world stage, it is hard for China to hide in the depths of its vast territory. With an ever present need for transparency, there have been small shifts in what is happening on the ground. What is even more interesting are the lengths some manufacturers are taking to not only be major players in the consumerism game, but to also be recognised for their ethical stance.