Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/713388
32 The Costume Designer Summer 2016
exaggerating the impact of superficial initiatives or outright
lying about their practices. Ultimately, a major component of
her sourcing model these days is personally knowing her ven-
dors, but she offers some tips on key things to look for.
While perfect businesses will be few and far between, a
workable strategy for CDs looking to incorporate ethical fashion
is to decide which values are most important to you (fair trade,
organic, low carbon footprint, community outreach, etc.), and
do your best to find companies that do that value well. Several
reliable consumer organizations offer certifications that cover
the garment industry. Schmitz cites the Fair Trade Federation
and B Corp as particularly rigorous, making them good bets that
vendors are actually backing up their claims with responsible
practices. Green America's Green Business certification is also
a solid program for designers looking primarily for environ-
mentally responsible vendors. While the Made In America label
carries some weight, those vendors merit additional research,
as products made in sweatshops and prisons can legally carry
the label.
In regards to more traditional brands, as the scope and
pace of production will make them unavoidable for most
productions, good choices are also available. Looking at a
company's track record is a good start. Because true shifts take
time, companies with a verifiable history of sustainable and
ethical practices are less likely to be greenwashing their prod-
ucts than those that introduce initiatives out of the blue. Two
examples would be Patagonia, a registered B Corp, and Adidas,
which has long been a leader in environmentally responsible
initiatives. Another factor to look for is verifiable metrics: Levi's
Water