The Ethical Fashion Glossary
Ethical fashion can sometimes seem a bit obscure, it's true. However, environmentally conscious people are not just a cult of people wrapping themselves in organic cotton and breathing in the smell of pineapple leather while wearing harem pants found in thrift stores.
On the other hand, we like to talk, and above all, we like to understand. What we particularly appreciate is complete transparency. Want to become an expert in ethical jargon? You're in the right place. Here is a non-exhaustive - and constantly evolving - alphabet of ethical fashion concepts.
Here is a glossary of ethical fashion with the terms you asked us for:
- Organic vs. ecological: "Organic" refers to clothes made from raw materials grown without the use of synthetic chemicals or genetically modified organisms. The word "Ecological", on the other hand, refers to products that are environmentally friendly in their manufacturing, use, and disposal.
- Certification: A certification is a process by which a third-party organization evaluates and attests that a product or company meets specific ethical fashion standards. Certifications help consumers make informed choices and identify brands that meet ethical criteria.
- Fair trade: Fair trade aims to guarantee fair working conditions and decent incomes for producers, especially in developing countries. It focuses on eliminating exploitation and poverty in supply chains.
- Eco-responsible: Eco-responsibility refers to taking into account the environmental impacts throughout a product's life cycle, from its design to its end of life. Eco-responsible brands seek to minimize their ecological footprint by adopting sustainable practices.
- Ethical: Ethics in fashion refers to business practices that respect human rights, fairness, transparency, and integrity. This means ensuring safe and fair working conditions for workers in the fashion industry.
- Fast fashion / slow fashion: The term "fast fashion" refers to a fast production and consumption model, characterized by frequent new collection design cycles, low prices, and often poor quality. On the other hand, the "slow fashion" movement encourages a more sustainable approach to fashion, with an emphasis on quality, durability, the origin of materials, and ethical production.
- Greenwashing: This word refers to misleading marketing practices used by some brands to give the appearance of being environmentally friendly, when in reality, they are not. This can include false or exaggerated claims about the environmental characteristics of their products or operations.
- Label: A label is a distinctive sign placed on a product to indicate that it meets specific ethical fashion standards. Labels can be awarded by independent organizations that evaluate and certify a brand's ethical practices.
- Made in France: The "Made in France" mention indicates that the product was entirely made in France. This highlights local expertise and national production, while supporting the local economy.
- Made in Europe: The "Made in Europe" mention indicates that the product was made in a European country. This can emphasize geographical proximity, high working standards, and strict European Union environmental regulations.
- Natural material vs. synthetic material: A natural material is of biological origin, coming from sources such as cotton, linen, or wool. On the other hand, a synthetic material is made from chemicals and industrial manufacturing processes, such as polyester or nylon.
- Natural material: A natural material refers to materials coming from renewable and biodegradable sources, such as organic cotton, hemp, cork, or natural silk.
- Upcycling: Upcycling consists of transforming existing materials or products by giving them new value or a new use. This helps reduce waste and extend the life of products.
- Vegan: The term "vegan" refers to products that contain no material of animal origin or derived from animals. In the context of fashion, this can include clothes and accessories made without leather, wool, silk, or fur.
