As Paris Fashion Week closed the capital of couture showed it's caring side by hosting an Ethical Fashion Show.

The four-day event showcased designs which were made with either environmental and social issues at heart and their creators committing to a charter to respect working conditions, protect the environment and preserve traditional skills.

It was a chance for socially aware designers to show off thier talents and raise awareness of the ethical issues that are currently a major talking point in the fashion industry.

One of these designers was Judith Condor-Vidal, a Britain-based specialist of alpaca wool from Peru. Her shawls, hats and gloves are all knitted by 390 women there who are all treated ethically and paid fairly.

She has already sold out collections in Top Shop in the UK- where the high streets are a step ahead in the thical game.

"This will get us into the French market for the first time," said Condor-Vidal to afp.

Florence Godinho, owner of a boutique in an upmarket Paris district, points out that it's down to the customers to demand ethical fashion: "Though I'm interested in the whole ethical fashion thing, my customers know little about organic cotton and don't seem interested in the women's coops in India or Kenya who make the clothing."

"I'm looking for a couple of labels to sell in my store," she said to afp at the event, "but I have little demand for organic anything."

Even mighty La Redoute sees a snail's progress ahead for now. "Mentalities are changing here, but slowly and not at any price," said Elisebeth Cazorla, the firm's ethical fashion head.

"Consumers must be able to wear the product to buy it, and the fact that it is fair trade is secondary," she said. "In spite of steps we and others have taken, the move to ethical fashion has been much slower here than in London."

Monoprix is one of the biggest retail chains in France and although they now stock organic ranges they are yet to be convinced by the ethical fashion hype.

"A label that says organic cotton tells consumers that is a good quality product, but not much more," said press officer Anais Lannes. "We have 68 ethical fashion references, but more must be done to raise the awareness level."

Paris may be home to some of the best designers and most stylish people in the world but us Brits still appear to be streets ahead when it comes to fair and ethical fashion.

Caz Moss- Female First
my blog