M&S take part in organic catwalk against climate change as the Soil Association goes for glamour
23 January 2007
Highstreet giant Marks & Spencer is set to sponsor the Soil Association organic fashion show to launch the Soil Association's annual conference on Thursday 25 January: ‘One Planet Agriculture’.
King of real food, Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall, will swap his gardening trousers for a stylish Ardalanish kilt as he catwalks against climate change. Environmentalist, Zac Goldsmith (editor of The Ecologist magazine) will compere the show.
The models will be wearing new and best selling collections from a wide selection of popular organic brands such as People Tree, as worn by Sienna Miller and Trudie Styler, Seasalt, Green Fibres, Howies, Ardalanish and Saf UK.
Organic outfits, including an unusual suede wedding dress, beautifully made tweed shawls and kilts from Ardalanish, sexy organic undies, stylish organic hemp dresses, organic cotton jeans and ethical t-shirts, will be paraded in front of hundreds of people at the Cardiff International Arena.
Helen Taylor, Director of Marketing & Corporate Relations at the Soil Association, says:
“It is fantastic news that M&S are sponsoring the show and great timing, following their recent announcement to launch organic cotton, linen and woollen items in-store. We view this as a great kick-start toward what I'm sure will be a very rewarding partnership, in helping them achieve this aim."
Mike Barry, Head of Corporate Responsibility at Marks & Spencer, says:
"We're very proud to be supporting the Soil Association. More and more producers across the world are making a positive impact on the environment by choosing to switch to organic. And more and more of our customers are choosing to buy organic. This is why we recently committed to triple our sales of organic food and launch organic cotton, wool and linen as part of our ambitious five year 'eco-plan' – Plan A."
Organic clothes are now at the height of fashion and with fashion brands queuing up for Soil Association organic certification the organisation Organic Exchange have predicted that sales of organic cotton will more than triple over the next two years.
Lee Holdstock, senior certification officer at the Soil Association, says:
"2006 saw a record interest in organic clothes. Consumers are gaining a real appreciation of the social and environment benefits that organic methods bring and understand that buying organic products has the power to improve the lives of those involved in creating them."
Global Organic Textile Standard: Harmony from farmer to ‘fashionista’
2007 sees the introduction of the new Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) set to put social justice, human health and protection of the environment at the top of the organic textiles agenda. The new standard will help bring harmony to organic textile organisations around the world. The Soil Association, which has contributed heavily to the formation of the GOTS, hopes that eventually the manufacture of all organic clothes, wherever they are from, will conform to this new standard.
William Lana, MD of Greenfibres and head of Soil Association textiles standards committee, says:
“This is a great move forward for the organic textile industry, it will undoubtedly have a positive effect and will demonstrate to customers a strong commitment to environmental and social responsibility. The GOTS should increase the number of organic textile companies, and the choice of certified organic textiles available to consumers. It is a win-win situation where everyone from the farmer to the “fashionista” is kept happy and ethical.”
One Planet Agriculture
World experts on climate change, sustainable agriculture and peak oil will be speaking at the Soil Association's annual conference 2007, ‘One Planet Agriculture: Preparing for a post-peak oil food and farming future’. Farmers, consumers and local communities alike will be provided with unique insights and practical, positive solutions to these increasingly crucial issues.
Whilst the issues are serious and challenging, the Conference will also offer a rich menu of cultural entertainment that reflects the organic movement's optimism and energy. Art, poetry, music, storytelling and film inspired by organic farms and landscapes will feature throughout the conference. Five Seasons, an organic cantata by the Bournemouth Sinfonietta Choir, will close the conference on Saturday afternoon.
For further information please contact the Soil Association press office: 0117 914 2448 / 07747 021 117 / press@soilassociation.org
List of organic exhibitors involved:
Green Baby: Baby clothes for babies to toddlers (age 3). http://www.greenbaby.co.uk / 020 7226 4345
Middle Campscott Farm: Woollen range (jumpers, shawls). http://www.middlecampscott.co.uk / 01271 864621
West Yeo Farm: Woollen range (jumpers, shawls, blankets). http://www.westyeofarm.co.uk / 01884 861269
Amanda Jones Designs for Yeo Valley Farm: Knitwear (mainly jumpers). http://www.yeovalleyorganicwool.co.uk / 01761 490232
Shetland Organic Producer Group: Woollen accessories (scarves, gloves). http://www.organics.shetland.co.uk / 01595 840345
Howies: Active sportswear and casual wear (jeans, t-shirts, shirts, jumpers). http://www.howies.co.uk / 01239 614122
Seasalt: Brightly coloured, fun, dynamic ranges of cotton skirts, tops, t-shirts, dresses, hoodies etc. http://www.seasaltcornwall.co.uk / 01326 379451
Saf (UK)/ T-shirt and Sons: Joint venture between the two companies. The organic clothes show will see the launch of their Soil Association certified organic range (mainly t-shirts). Saf: http://www.saftag.com / 020 7722 7880. T-shirt and Sons: http://www.tshirtandsons.co.uk / 01373 601 645
People Tree: Stylish dresses, skirts, trousers, blouses (the first UK fashion company to carry both Fairtrade and Soil Association accreditation). http://www.peopletree.co.uk / 020 7739 0660
Greenfibres: Cotton basics, underwear, bathwear, Household textiles including sheets and towels. http://www.greenfibres.co.uk / 01803 868 001
Ardalanish: Fabulous, classic and tailored woven wool designs, tweeds, throws, scarves, kilts. http://www.ardalanishfarm.co.uk / 01681 700265
Organic Leather: Rowan Gabrielle's range (based in the US and not Soil Association certified), 'organically raised, organically tanned', includes a white suede wedding/evening dress, leather accessories such as belts and bags. Please take account of time difference when contacting Rowan: + 888 886 8959 / 20 Sunnyside # A199, Mill Valley, CA 94941 / http://www.organicleather.com / rowan@organicleather.com
For more information on organic textiles and where to buy them visit http://www.soilassociation.org/textiles
The M&S 'Plan A' includes a commitment to source 80 tonnes of Organic Fairtrade cotton from Mali this year. Last year M&S launched a range of Organic Fairtrade babywear through its stores and website, and will expand its commitment by launching many more organic ranges later this year. This includes organic cotton t-shirts and chinos for men, and organic linen shirts for men and women.
M&S has been working with the Organic Exchange for more than three years to develop the market for organic textiles by generating interest across supply chains and helping suppliers to work together. An M&S sustainable textiles expert also sits on the board of Organic Exchange, contributing and shaping the future of organic production.
Organic Exchange is a not-for-profit organisation committed to expanding organic agriculture http://www.organicexchange.org
Five reasons to cotton on to organic clothes:
Non-organic cotton farming uses one quarter of the world’s pesticides causing damage to the environment, sinking farmers into debt, causing illness and even death. According to the World Health Organisation, 20,000 deaths occur in developing countries each year from pesticide poisoning, many of these are attributed to cotton production.
Socially acceptable – organic cotton farmers in developing countries report higher incomes plus using viable alternatives to chemicals protects their health.
Avoidance of GM – GM cotton is grown commercially in many countries so choosing organic cotton is the best way to avoid buying GM cotton.
Avoid hazardous chemicals – over 8000 chemicals can be used to turn cotton into a t-shirt or duvet cover. Soil Association organic standards ban the use of any chemicals that are hazardous to the environment or health.
No more excuses! Stylish organic clothing and household textiles are now widely available so there’s no longer a compromise between style and organic integrity.