Eco Fashion World

Every day we tap into our personal ethics in making hundreds of decisions which affect our lives and the lives of others.  Some of the decisions we sometimes think have a small impact can cumulatively affect lives in monumental ways.  Through Ethics in the Fashion Industry, authors V. Ann Paulins and Julie L. Hillery remind us of the importance in thoroughly and reasonably considering the possible impact of our decisions before acting on them.  Moreover, Ethics in the Fashion Industry marries the concept of ethics-consideration with the fashion industry, resulting in a text book created to straightforwardly aid the reader in adopting an ethical mind set when either planning for a new company or analyzing every fragment of an existing company.

The text begins with Chapter 1 “Ethics in Every Day Life” which presents various approaches to ethics.  The approaches pointed out are identified as Virtue Approach, Common Good Approach, Utilitarian Approach, Principled Approach, Rights Approach, and the Fairness (Justice) Approach.  The chapter then transitions from a general “every day life” examination of ethics to a dialogue about ethics in apparel product development and retailing. 

The second chapter titled “Corporate Culture” incorporates everything that makes up the over all way of life of an organization; from the company vision and mission statement to wages and benefits, dress codes, and policies governing vendor behavior and relationships.  The aim of this chapter is to clarify the definition of corporate culture and imagine the direct influence the decisions in this area will have on all employees within the company, ultimately affecting productivity, longevity, loyalty, morale, and the overall success of a company. 

Ethics in the Fashion Industry provides a methodical sequence for the analysis with the remaining of the ten chapters titled: “Management, Supervision and Workplace Issues,” “Processes and Pitfalls in Fashion Design and Product Development,” “Ethics in Manufacturing and Sourcing Fashion Products,” “Responsibilities and Liabilities in a Complex Industry,” “Advertising and Promotion,” “Selling:  Decisions, Practices, and Professional Ethics,” “Ethical Consumer Decisions,” and “Self Promotion and Career Search.” 

A plethora of case studies, “real world” examples, suggested readings, reference information, illustrations, charts, statistics and questions for discussion are provided throughout the book to complement each of the topics covered.  Along with the book (in a pouch inside of the back cover), comes a supplementary CD-ROM containing modules, quizzes and more.      

From initial concept through to execution processes, Ethics in the Fashion Industry, written by V. Ann Paulins and Julie L. Hillery and published by Fairchild Books, provides a well thought out recipe for the kick-start of a successful ethical fashion career.  A student or someone already in the industry could use this book to evaluate a company they are considering employment with, start a company of their own, or maybe offer some new ideas to a company where they are already working, remembering to adequately reflect on the weight and potential consequences of their decisions prior to acting on them. 

Purchase your copy of Ethics in the Fashion Industry from Fairchild Books.
     

EFW US based writer Magaly Fuentes-Sagan has a broad range of interests spanning art, fashion, travel, environmental issues, health and wellness. With an AS in Fashion Design and a BA in International Business and Marketing as well as a comprehensive fashion career that has included couture bridal design, sportswear product development, visual merchandising, buying and marketing management, Magaly brings the scope of her experience and passions to her written work.

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