Fashion For Good program starts up with grant from the C&A Foundation

By Brian Collett — Brands, retailers, and manufacturers have been invited to join a programme encouraging good practice by the C&A Foundation.

 

The Foundation, established by the Dutch international retail clothing chain to improve ethical standards in the sector, has called its project Fashion for Good and has opened its first hub in Amsterdam.

 

Since formation in 2011, the Foundation has raised concerns about factory conditions, inadequate pay, forced labour in “murky” supply chains”, and risks to cotton farmer’s health and the environment from plant pesticides.

 

The new project has been started with a grant from the C&A group, and has received the backing of industry bodies.

 

It has the support of the Sustainable Apparel Coalition, which campaigns for better practices in the garment, footwear and home textile trade, the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, which focuses on design to promote better societies, and IDH, whose goals are sustainable business, fair pay and good working conditions. 

 

The Foundation says: “We believe fashion has the power to improve the lives of the men and women behind our clothes. We believe fashion can be a force for good. Our mission is to transform the industry to make that happen”.

 

Of the new project, it said: “By openly sharing what we learn, we will guide the fashion industry toward a future in which brands, supplies communities, and our planet can all thrive”.