Tuesday, April 11, 2006
Organic Boom
I want to discuss the evolution that is quietly taking place in the fashion industry. But first, let me commence here. Organic food has been available to the consumer for years now and is taking off due to increasing consumer awareness about pesticides and chemicals in the environment and food, and the potential problems they have environmentally and physically.
Celebrity chef Jamie Oliver has successfully campaigned to change British children's canteen lunches over to organic food. Furthermore there has been an increase in the purchasing of organic food by consumers. (I am one of those consumers making that change
As a consumer, I am concerned with the amount of pesticides used in food and in clothes. I am afraid that corporations will continue to use these potentially harmful products unless there is a cultural shift from the public. WHICH is slowly happening. Blogs such as fiftyrx3.blogspot.com/ write about their concerns and make readers aware of alternative products on the market.
The fashion student is even in the planning stages of her own organic line. Even nike is launching an organic lines.
My concern is will these organic lines be priced reasonably enough for all consumers, or just the elite? If these clothes are being produced to make a difference for the sake of the earth then they should be priced accordingly so consumers with varying purchasing power can buy them. And what about independent designers? Will they having the purchasing power to buy organic fabric and still survive?
I time will tell if consumers will pick up these organic lines.
Celebrity chef Jamie Oliver has successfully campaigned to change British children's canteen lunches over to organic food. Furthermore there has been an increase in the purchasing of organic food by consumers. (I am one of those consumers making that change
As a consumer, I am concerned with the amount of pesticides used in food and in clothes. I am afraid that corporations will continue to use these potentially harmful products unless there is a cultural shift from the public. WHICH is slowly happening. Blogs such as fiftyrx3.blogspot.com/ write about their concerns and make readers aware of alternative products on the market.
The fashion student is even in the planning stages of her own organic line. Even nike is launching an organic lines.
My concern is will these organic lines be priced reasonably enough for all consumers, or just the elite? If these clothes are being produced to make a difference for the sake of the earth then they should be priced accordingly so consumers with varying purchasing power can buy them. And what about independent designers? Will they having the purchasing power to buy organic fabric and still survive?
I time will tell if consumers will pick up these organic lines.
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Nike has been using organic cotton for almost a decade. You can read more about their social and environmental responsibility here. They typically blend across the lines, but in recent years have also been adding 100% organic lines.
The cost factor can be viewed many ways. For me, there is already some expensive and cheap non environmentally friendly stuff out there. $50 for a t-shirt or $5. So, I think you'll begin to see this in the organic marketplace as well. Wal-Mart has already begun selling organic clothes at lower prices, as well as Marks & Spencer in the UK. Some companies lower their profit margin to remain competitive, such as Boll Organics.
As the organic cotton industry grows prices should continue to fall, even for smaller, independent designers. You can also look into hemp and bamboo fabrics.
The cost factor can be viewed many ways. For me, there is already some expensive and cheap non environmentally friendly stuff out there. $50 for a t-shirt or $5. So, I think you'll begin to see this in the organic marketplace as well. Wal-Mart has already begun selling organic clothes at lower prices, as well as Marks & Spencer in the UK. Some companies lower their profit margin to remain competitive, such as Boll Organics.
As the organic cotton industry grows prices should continue to fall, even for smaller, independent designers. You can also look into hemp and bamboo fabrics.
Thanks for that! I may do a little research (just out of curiosity) about the prices and designs M&S and Wal-Mart are bringing out.
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