This is a text-only version of an article first published on Wednesday, 15 June 2016. Information shown on this page may no longer be current.
This year 1,131 people died and 2,500 were injured when the eight-storey Rana Plaza factory collapsed.
The tragedy brought to light the plight of garment workers across the world.
In the run-up to Christmas, as we think about posh new togs for the festive parties and extra layers to keep us warm, the Door looks at how we can support a more ethical fashion and clothing trade. RANA Plaza bank, apartments and shops were evacuated but garment workers were ordered back to work despite cracks being discovered in the building's structure.
The building collapsed on top of them.
The Church of Bangladesh responded by supporting rescue teams, mobilising help for the injured and their families, developing an advocacy programme based on factory workers' needs and is campaigning for better basic labour conditions.
Amena works on embroidery for a Traidcraft order.
A global coalition of churches is now campaigning, lobbying retailers and politicians to improve wages, safety and working condition for over 3,500,000 workers that produce 80 per cent of Bangladeshi exports. Susan Waters has run a clothing company in Milton Keynes since the early 90s, diversifying into Fairtrade after a visit to an eco-community in Scotland.
"I went up there as a business woman fascinated by what they were doing and the people.
I decided to start up Cotton Roots with the motto 'Company Clothing with Moral Fibre'. "Susan has Fairtrade partners in India and focuses on making school uniforms, organic sweat shirts and polo shirts, T-shirts and hoodies for schools.
Most of her orders are bulk for schools.
"It's primary schools that have been most interested.
"I have been on a visit to India myself to the cotton farms that grow the cotton we use and that was wonderful. "Susan, who employs nine people to work from a base on a farm in Hanslope, Milton Keynes, admits that as a small company, dealing in Fairtrade goods is a big investment.
"Every time I slightly waver I see something on the television about poverty that keeps me going.
A lot of bigger companies don't tend to touch Fairtrade. "Cotton Roots and Impact Trading can produce custom made hoodies etc for clubs and organisation and even robies - large fleece robes, used by swimmers when they are getting changed in the open air, for the Henley Swimming Club.
See www. cottonroots. co. uk and www. impacttrading. co. uk for more. In Oxford Judith Condor-Vidal founded Trading for Development in 2004.
Catering for the higher end of the market, it has shown its collections at the Ethical Fashion Show in Paris, winning the LA Redoute Ethical Award in 2006-2007. Traidcraft sells Fair Trade clothing and fashion accessories along with its food, tea and coffee and other well known products.
Among their accessories range are floral purses produced by Amena (pictured below) in Bangladesh.
Amena has been working as an embroiderer with Swajan, a producer group in Bangladesh, for more than 12 years.
She is also now a member of the workers committee at Swajan - representing women and ensuring their concerns and needs have a voice. See www. traidcraft. co. uk for more. How to dress well ethically without spending a fortunet's worth taking a moment to think about the stories of the things we buy and whether they align with our values, writes Elizabeth Laskar.
Once we unpack these we start to understand the negative contribution the manufacturing and supply chains have on our environment from CO2 emissions, soil erosion, pesticide poisoning, bio-diversity degradation, water waste to a wide range of humanitarian issues. Over the last 20 years the fashion and clothing industry has been working to make positive change.
Gone are the days of scratching itchy unfashionable designed eco clothing, it is now sophisticated and starting to be adopted by major retailers.
Even the British Fashion Council is spearheading the movement at London Fashion WeekWe can start with the six key areas in eco fashion. 1.
Organic supports farming methods that have followed guidelines of a respected certification body eg.
Soil Association2.
Fair Trade is about supporting fair labour practices and environmental care.
The Fairtrade Mark on a garment indicates that its cotton was produced on Fairtrade terms.
Read the information provided, there may be a story that you want to support. 3.
Recycling.
It is estimated that over one million tons of textiles and unwanted clothing is put into landfill every year.
Visit second hand shops, Charity shops, try clothes swapping, buy seconds on Ebay and share your clothes. 4.
Vintage is about celebrating fashion from the past.
Vintage is often a little more expensive, however the prospect of wearing a unique design to a party and then selling it for a similar price to what you bought it for could be a good investment. 5.
Up-cycling is a new trend of taking something old and unwanted, taking it apart and make something useful or fun.
6.
New Technologies is where fashion and science come together to solve tomorrow's challenges.
Look out for new low-impact durable intelligent synthetic fabrics. Here are a few ideas that will help make a difference with outbreaking the bank. 1.
Party dress or suit exchange.
Have a tea Invite your friends to bring a party dress or suit that they would like to swap. 2.
Wardrobe Detox - Pop-Up ShopDo you have clothes, gifts, quality objects that need selling? Arrange a pop-up shop in a local community centre or at your home.
Display your items with care, write a short description on everything you are selling and keep your prices reasonable.
Make sure the clothes are clean and looking good. 3.
Durability - Try buying less and look for something that is made well, and will last several seasons. 4.
Rent my dress: Do your friends have a fantastic wardrobe? Perhaps you can ask your friends or family if you can rent a dress from them. Ask your retailer about the clothes you are buying.
They should be able to give you information to help you make an informed choice.
And remember it's about keeping a balance and making small positive steps.
Why not start with this - for every three pieces of clothing you purchase, conisder buying one that fits into one of the six key areas in eco fashion?Elizabeth Laskar is an Oxford based eco fashion consultant.
To join her mailing list email info@elizabethlaskar. com or visit her website www. elizabethlaskar. com. ;