I met Holly Howe yesterday, a journalist who some time ago attempted to live ethically for a month, as part of an ongoing project for a group called Anti Apathy, a project which encourages young people to act responsibly and engage in progressive politics.
I wanted to ask Holly about the current state of ethically produced clothing, hoping to find that the world of vegetarian shoes had moved on from sub-Birkenstock corrective shoes that look like you've just trodden in two Ginsters Extra Beefy Beef & Onion Pasties. Of course these matters of taste are purely subjective, but as far as I see, these trainers (recycled from old car tyres and other stuff) are personally less appealing than the a guided tour round the Ginsters abattoir followed by a Steak & Mushroom Pie eating contest in the corporate hospitality bar.
Anti Apathy are a wonderful organisation (shoe design is a minor aspect of their operation) and the intentions behind eco companies like these are entirely honourable, but I can't help wondering (1) why the products, from clothes to cosmetics are consistently, well, not very good (2) why they don't get proper designers in to make it all better (3) whether its worth just producing ethical stuff, but not relying on the ethical bit to sell the product, after all most people say they want to live ethically, but surveys always show that we never actually carry that out at the till.
Holly tells me that the month went by very slowly, and I'm guessing it wasn't the all-time happiest month in her life. But come on, there must someone out there producing well designed, ethically produced stuff for regular people that stopped rocking grubby dreadlocks after they left college. And preferably without any branding. Otherwise I'll be buying non-branded stuff with no proof of origin or manufacturing standards; I might as well go direct to the sweat shops in China.
If you, dear reader are aware of any such companies, please let me know, because, to be honest, it's getting desperate.
6 Comments:
have you tried Howies?
www.howies.co.uk
Hi Neil,
I think the obvious reason for the products not being good is because it's a small market so they tend to make bland clothing in the hope that they will appeal to all. This is something I have major experience with, as I need to go to specialist shoe shops to purchase footwear for my clown like feet and similarly, the stock is crap. Boring, generic, granny shoes tend to be what's on offer despite the number of young(ish) people with the same problem as me. It seems that some companies think that if you can't turn a big profit, then what's the point in trying to make something desirable? Boo hiss!
hi,
i've been reading your blog for a while and i can't help but wonder whether your fiance is going to follow the same 'rules' as you've set yourself. i assume you're extending to no brand thing to household items as well as clothing, and obviously cosmetics too, so what about items you share? this may be an intrusive question but is she as brand obsessed as you? and will this burning of the brands affect her in the same ways as it is you?
sorry if i seem nosey but you've mentioned her a few times and it got me thinking!
In jest, I suggest:
Vietnamese soldiers would cut up old tires from military vehicles and make sandals that would literally last the entire war. Think about it. It's retro, makes a political statement and a statement in support of creative recycling.
And you won't need to buy black socks.
Seriously, though. There is definitely an issue with the high cost of "lifestyle" goods not produced through pure profit-driven logistics.
Unfortunately, the upper class is going to pay a LOT more for designer wear and the lower class is going to spend according to their means. The middle class, if they are the type to spend rather than save, are going to spend for sub-designer wear in order to appear more upper-class.
It's a tough market. Food with a conciousness is catching on, because being healthy is an image thing. Branded clothing is also an image thing. I don't see that changing anytime soon.
Have you looked at BlackSpot Shoes? If you ask me, their anti-brand is a brand, but I do know their shoes are ethically produced. You may need natty dreds to wear them though.
A brand is a brand is a brand... Isnt a brand's role to convince one to buy into a life style choice...? Ethically produced stuff is a brand just as much as Nike etc... Its impossible to get away from brands and who really decides which brands are 'better' than others...? Hopefully its ones choice to choose which brands they would like to support... Neil, its 1 million percent impossible for you to live brand free...? All you can do is choose one brand over another...
Even the eggs you buy to make your home made shampoo are branded... Unless your got a coop in your London pad that i havent noticed...
Lee
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