ETHICAL AND SUSTAINABLE FASHION INITIATIVES IN INDIA AND AUSTRALIA

Abstract

Clothing is a basic human need, but contemporary clothing production, consumption, and disposal have been so rapid that the fashion industry has been deemed to be amongst the most polluting in the world. This paper investigates ethical and sustainable fashion initiatives in two countries: India, which is one of the world’s largest producers of ready-made garments, and Australia, which is the world’s largest per-capita consumer of apparel. Several innovative approaches were found amongst exemplary businesses in both countries. The paper concludes with some suggestions on business models that could further reduce the negative impacts of the global textiles and apparel industry.