Bubble Ethic: find your way in the jungle of labels
Textile certifications are essential because you cannot talk about sustainable fashion without them.
However, we have to insert a few caveats here and it concerns Slow Fashion: traditional, artisanal and local manufacturers that use organic and recycled materials do not always find the labels corresponding to their production methods and also often won't have the budget to afford these labels as they focus their whole energy and budget on their sustainable production and DNA.
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Therefore it is essential that you see these labels as an indication to help you have a more sustainable wardrobe but you need also to go further and understand the stories behind the small Slow Fashion brands so that you don't miss any sustainable brands.
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The labels
The first one is dedicated to the environment, which also includes organic certification. The second one concerns the social aspect of production. The third one is about animal welfare.
ENVIRONMENTAL
Are those certifications that guarantee production leaves a small environmental footprint - but be careful: "reduced environmental impact" does not mean "zero impact", as at the moment there is no certification that can guarantee no environmental footprint at all.
Global Organic Textile Standard label is applied to organic cotton, both guarantees that the cotton has been grown according to organic farming standards.
SOCIAL
Are those certifications that guarantee production is ethical or fair trade. Let's talk about social impact and take into account a serious problem of textile production that is mainly related to Fast Fashion (or low cost fashion). That is the exploitation of cheap labour, with all it entails, such as gender or racial discrimination, child labour, and more generally the total absence of rights for workers.
VEGAN
Are those certifications that guarantee production is carried out without animal exploitation. Most importantly, it rejects animal-based materials such as leather, fur, wool, silk, etc., but also excludes any testing carried out on animals.
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And remember: The most sustainable clothes is the one you the already in your wardrobe!
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TO GO FURTHER:​
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