Having talked about ethics in fashion in another article on PaulaTrendsets earlier this week, the announcement of The Observer Ethical Awards came as a pleasant reminder that the world of fashion does applaud and honour those ethics indeed.
Derbyshire-based hat brand Pachacuti (means “upside down world” in Quechua), the first company in the world to be accredited by the World Fair Trade Organisation, took home the award for Fashion and Accessories. The manufacturers of the color popping Pachacuti panama hats are women working under fair trade in Ecuador and the all procceeds from their products are invested in development projects, support of local families, children’s education and fighting alcoholism.
The first Observer Ethical Blog Award went to fellow blogger Shirahime, recognised for “informing and stirring up debate around the fashion industry”. Other winners included scientist James Lovelock (Lifetime Achievement), and The Co-operative Group which scooped the Business Award.
