Asking questions about ethical fashion, clothing supply chains, and the truth behind your clothes, can be a daunting task for anyone. The time of guilt-free impulse purchasing seems to be coming to an end, with lots of discussion about ethical fashion. But what does this mean for someone on the street? The team at FOUR PAWS Australia wanted to find out, is ethical fashion just a fad, or are Aussies thinking about these issues on their shopping trips? 

We went into the Sydney’s Central Business District to ask people: What does ethical fashion mean to you?

Within Australia, research shows that awareness of animal welfare issues within the fashion industry results in higher levels of concern. In fact, the YouGov Poll commissioned by FOUR PAWS in 2019, showed that 55% of Australians said they were aware of issues within the fashion industry. This is higher than we expected.

Those who say they are concerned about animal welfare in the fashion industry in general (37%) are more likely to:

• change their purchasing behaviours, with 59% claiming that they will choose one brand over another if they prioritise animal welfare, and
• take an interest in transparency, with 71% agreeing that fashion brands should be transparent about their standards when it comes to animal welfare.

In the United States, the 2019 YouGov poll results showed similar findings to those seen in Australia, with 53% of Americans saying they are aware of animal cruelty issues in the fashion industry. In addition, for those who are aware of cruelty issues, 87% are concerned about the welfare and treatment of animals in at least one area of the industry. 

Similar to results Australia were also seen with Millennials in the U.S., showing them to be more aware and concerned about animal welfare, and more likely to change their purchasing behaviors because of it, compared to other generations. Overall, it’s apparent that the more people become aware of what happens to animals in the fashion industry, the more concerned they are about their welfare and treatment within the industry.

FOUR PAWS welcomes the opportunity to collaborate with brands to achieve these aims and will work with consumers and brands alike, to drive these desperately needed change needed for animals. 

Alongside fellow animal lovers, we will help to lead a movement towards animal-friendly fashion, so that brands become more transparent, and consequently more responsible for the welfare of animals within their supply chains.

Posted on June 28, 2019 by Elise Burgess