Where and how are the garments of the big and well-known fashion brands made?

If you pay several hundred dollars for a dress, you might expect that these products are made under good labor and environmental conditions. On the end why is a garment so expensive if not because of the production costs?

Unfortunately, very big and very well-known fashion brands, such as Armani, Dolce & Gabbana, Chanel and others have scored 0 points in “The Fashion Transparency Index” (edition 2021). Other big names such as Zara, Luis Vuitton, Burberry, Dior etc. scored 1 to 10 points only.

These are only the big players and well-known brands that are at the focus of transparency control companies. But there are several more that purchase their fashion products in sweatshops in Asia, where poor or often miserable labor and environmental conditions are normal and exploration of workers that come for far to work for a few Cents per hours is the source of cheap labor.

The 2012 Dhaka garment factory fire where 117 sewers died and over 200 were seriously injured was only the top of the iceberg. And even after this disaster that showed to the world where and how not only cheap fashion products but also products from well-known brands are made, these sweatshops continue to operate, and big brands continue to use these factories to produce their products.

You might ask, and how can I avoid products like these? How can I make sure that my fashion products are made under good labor and environmental conditions?
One way is to check in certification reports like the one shown above. Another and even simpler way, is to purchase from small companies that produces in developed countries and not in Asia or other countries with poor labor conditions. Fashion products produced in developed countries have to made under good labor conditions because in developed countries exist legislation and control over the labor conditions as well as over the compliance of environmental conditions. At the same time a product produced in a developed country dose not have to be shipped around have the world until it comes to you.

So, look out in your small local fashion stores for garments made in the developed world. Its not where the brand comes from but where the garment is made, what is important. Small business owners tend to purchase from small businesses or locally or through specialized platforms like Faire or Ankorstore that connect small manufactures with small retailers. Here you will find products made by small manufactures, mostly with great quality and for a reasonable price.

If you want to purchase online have a look at Etsy we are also on Etsy under the following link you find our store: http://curvyshion.etsy.com/