claire ellis

Female

london

United Kingdom

Profile Information:

Profession / role:
education officer
Company / organisation:
three faiths forum
My primary role in relation to fashion is:
Consumer, Other
I am looking to discover or buy
Fellow journeyers; information on international ethical clothing policy; information of specific companies' accountability in terms of ethical clothing;
About me / About business or organisation:
I am part of a small group of friends seeking justice in the fashion industry. Above all, we want to have clothing that embodies Jesus’ command to ‘love your (global) neighbour’.

We know that a lot of our clothes could be made at the expense of the health and dignity of others, and yet we want to see people liberated not enslaved. We cannot justify others suffering for the sake of our own desire to fit it, look good or express ourselves through fashion.

We want a sustainable model for this ongoing lifestyle choice. To achieve this we plan to uncover the true origin of the clothes we already own, find out where we can source just clothes and decide how to turn the unjust clothes we already have into a blessing to the community.

We also want to challenge the structures of unjust clothing that keep people enslaved.

One of the sources of our faith and hope for this journey come from Isaiah 58:6-12.

Everyone is invited on this journey.

Isaiah 58:6-12 “Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke?"
Career history / Company history:
Cambridge University Graduate (2007)
Micah Challenge Intern (2008)
Three Faiths Forum, Education Officer (to date)

Comment Wall:

  • David McGill

    Hi Clair I guess youre a colleague of Helen's,
    Without wishing to appear sanctimonious, as a Unitarian I attempt to follw the teachings of Jesus Chriist and consequently I have developed an entirely original approach not just to fashion but clothing in general. One which is intended to empower and enrich the lives of the real wealth creators rather than the wealth transferrers by a fairer means of distributing the rewards. Are you interested ?

    May 25, 2009

  • David McGill

    Im afraid my websites are in desperate need of updating but finding the time is not easy when dealing with so many countries. What began with 8 is now 22, such is the interest in the idea. And the idea has expanded tby introducing a range of designs specially for Japan to support projects in India. But hopefully you'll get an idea. To us 'ethical' is not just about the source of products and paying just above the breadline wages. It is about sharing and empowering: sharing profits and allowing people to trade freely without the need for a job creation scheme for white middle-class 'professionals' to act as intermediaries.

    Tartans for Africa’ is a ‘social business’ designed to create greater awareness of African countries, offer them the opportunity to generate new sustainable businesses and provide a continuous source of funding for educational, health and community projects. By using the colours in their respective national flags and blending them with the blue and white of the Saltire, ‘Tartans for Africa’ has created a unique collection of colourful tartans, each of which has been woven and made into a range of traditional clothing, accessories and giftware, and even wrapping paper. A percentage of the sale price from each product goes directly to these projects. Each tartan is officially registered in Scotland and has the approval and support of the respective High Commission / Embassy and national tourist boards of each country.

    Tartans for Africa works closely with Scottish, African and international organisations such as UNIFEM, World Women Trade Fair and Project for Africa to develop initiatives aimed at the creation of sustainable self-help projects throughout Africa, and supplies schools, churches and ngo’s throughout Scotland with the means to generate funds for their own projects.

    May 25, 2009