It’s no secret that the fashion business has a terrible reputation when it comes to employee and environmental treatment. Fashion manufacturing is one of the most desired sectors in the world, with high-profile sweatshop disclosures and catastrophic factory collapses. Ethical fabric suppliers are the foundation of any business and bring profit margin to the manufacturers and fashion designers
Is this, however, the only option? Is there a way to make amends for the harm we’ve done and mitigate our future consequences? Yes, and it starts with you: designer-entrepreneurs who are concerned about how their business might harm the environment and exploit workers in other countries, and who are making informed decisions to lessen their carbon footprint. The suppliers should also take care of their employees by providing them with good-quality industrial sewing machines.
The fabric supplier decisions made by a manufacturing hub can have a huge impact on the lives of employees all over the world, as well as the natural resources that their countries rely on to thrive. If you want to make ethical, long-term efforts in your garment production
Start by looking at your fabric supplier’s practices in the following areas:
- Certification for the factory – Manufacturers who show their certificates to fabric suppliers tend to have higher sustainability and ethical procedures, from labor standards to fiber/fabric certifications. Inquire about the certifications of the manufacturers with which your fabric supplier works. The manufacturing hubs should also come with high-grade tailoring tools [commercial sewing machines] for the employees.
- Growth opportunity – Ideally, your factory’s fabric supplier works directly with the mills. Inquire either of them about the opportunities available to the employees. Do they provide possibilities for their employees to further their education? Is it better to have insurance or benefits? Are there any childcare services available? Companies that invest in their employees not only have happier, more happy employees but also reap long-term financial rewards. If you care about running a socially and environmentally responsible fashion business, you should do your homework. Thankfully, there are numerous resources available to assist you in designing and ethically manufacturing your company’s products.
- Location of the fabric supplier – The location of your fabric supplier’s producers is really important. Make sure you have the fabric mill’s address because knowing your supply chain is crucial! Some countries lack labor rules, leaving their citizens vulnerable to exploitation and hazardous working conditions, while others are simply too far away to ship the goods from point A to point B without causing significant environmental damage!
