How can social enterprises in the world of high fashion success

  "I do not want to work for a good cause, I do not think it would allow me enough creative, but

I wanted to change the world, and if you look around you - .. This is a matter that will

change the world. "

Cameron Saul is a social entrepreneur working in the heady world of haute couture.

After a trip to Uganda in 2002, Saul had stumbled into a wired strange handbag locally from

recycled bottle caps. He pushed a sample in his backpack, and then proposed the idea to his

father when he returned to Britain. He has a good tip paternal, but also its commercial wisdom

- his father founded Mulberry in a garage in Somerset in 1971, and into the great brand that

it is today.

A rare product associated with a pattern of ethical background, along with good links to

industry, meant the introduction was a moderate success. Saul, co-founder Bottletop charity to

distribute profits as a vehicle. Ten years later, they are now helping an average of 35,000

young people affected by HIV each year.

The next round of innovation came when Wayman, business partner Saul received a call from his

mother leave. She had stumbled upon a technique of weaving ring pull everything in Salvador,

northern Brazil.

Wayman jumped on a plane for more, and quickly determined that the bags were relatively

commonplace.

In addition, could everything you need to create a luxury handbag be a source, within the

limits of the city of Salvador, and the city was poor - in desperate need of regeneration.

The bags that were made were nice, but before he could approve the export sale, it needed to

establish the ethics of the operation.

"Has the cooperative customize it just was not very cooperative. There was a lady running,

rakes appeared in most species. We have managed to hold on to get the phone numbers of two

workers and their ranks later in the evening. You were paid a pittance. "

They asked a local man, reorganize the production process for more ethical and employ 40 local

women. Handbags sell well in Harrods, Liberty London and on their own website. With prices of

up to £ 600 per bag, Bottletop is certainly at the top end of the market.

"This is the best part of the market to be if you are a social enterprise. Attempt is cheap

goods-scale work will not work., But the peak is always in motion, despite the decline," says

Wayman.

The couple flew to Paris accessories designers work alongside the cooperative and bring them

new techniques. Each mesh and armor with a demanding standard established, with the bar set by

the fashion brands of Knightsbridge and Paris. Also mimic the labels sewn into the inside of

their bags clean labels more traditional houses showcase their pieces.

"Looking good is as important as ethically," said fellow contractors and design consultant,

Veronica Crespi, founder of the first Rewardrobe board "Slow Fashion" in London.

"Slow" is a buzz word in ethical fashion - as an antidote to model seasonal collection

resulting hype surrounding the newest models designed and encourages consumers to take when

coming seasons 'must-have' items are published. "Slow" is taking the time to buy clothes that

will have been produced ethically and in your closet for the past few years.

"The great thing about sustainable fashion is that many people still think it's hemp," says

Crespi. "In order to change the perception about it, you need consumers to buy the product not

from conviction, but because they think that you are really a nice product."

Crespi noted that almost 50% of the negative environmental impact of the fashion industry

comes after the purchase. "Washing clothes at high temperatures or dry clean, then throw them

in the trash when you're done, can be very harmful for the environment. Prefer my clients on

how to buy them, advise care and be more sustainable."

It is also full of hope for the future of the scene.

"When I started in 2009, there was hardly ethical brands, now New shops there are now six or

seven hundred worldwide. Opened every day, focusing on ethical clothing. Even traditional

stores like H & M produce their own ethical products. Some say it's a publicity stunt, but at

least to reach a wide audience. "

Burglary in the street was an exciting step forward for Isobel Davies, founder of the British

wool brand Izzy Lane. She remembers seeing her knitwear range in Topshop on Oxford Street.

"It was pretty exciting - to see to it British wool It was everything that we have built and a

campaign for" ..

The industry is controlled created by British Wool Marketing Board, Wool, in 1950 and requires

that all wool sheared annually to be sold to them, and them alone. Then they are the only

supplier of wool on the free market, with a large part of the annual shearing ends than in the

Far East.

The price will be determined annually, and although there have been recent increases, Davies

believes that it is not enough.

"When I started in 2007, farmers were paid a pittance, and they were better just burn -. Which

many have This has become a little better," Davies said, "If the government Wool Marketing

Board, your annual sales of wool. you pay your rent for the year introduced. now can be happy

if you cover your transport costs of wool. "

Davies is also passionate about animal welfare and, inspired by the food industry wants to set

up a standard of welfare for clothes.

"It is strange that when you buy leather, cashmere or wool, you can not read the label, where

it comes from, how the animals were taken care of was," she says. "A problem with the

Marketing Board of wool is that it is no traceability. Soon as the wool is sold to them, is no

record of how the animals were treated maintained. I wanted to make sure that my clothes came

from ethical sources of cattle, but the purchase of wool in the United Kingdom did not allow

me to do this. "

Determined to safeguard the welfare of the animals, they mowed, Davies has rescued nearly 600

rare breed sheep to the slaughter, and it tends to her farm in North Yorkshire. The RSPCA has

twice awarded her the prestigious "Award for bargains" for his efforts to improve animal

welfare. The wool marketing agency also issued a special permit to produce garments from their

own herd.

"It is a shame that a young British designers can not get out to buy a farmers offer their

wool and wool at a good price, I'm lucky, but usually everyone must go through the Office

wool. I would like to see, the industry has opened up the market and the company, "she says.

But almost completely destroyed by the British textile industry, it is clear that social

entrepreneurs who have to go a long way in the UK.

"I can pretty much bind the various trades needed to complete the process of wool scouring,

combing, Death, weaving, finishing - .. All this before it is converted into yarn, then fabric

At one point there was only one left Spinner throughout the UK. Fortunately reopened others

and we returned at the end of the chain, but it was close. "