Fashion show celebrating ethical fashion hits World Social Forum in Montreal

Stylists, artisans and fair tradespeople organized on Thursday a fashion show celebrating ethical fashion as part of the World Social Forum 2016 taking place in Montreal August 9th to 14th.

A number of women hit the runway wearing items such as recycled men’s shirts and accessories made of recycled and sustainable materials. The event’s atmosphere was friendly and far removed from the glamour of traditional fashion shows.
 
One of the event partners CECI (Centre for International Studies and Cooperation) explained that the event's goal was to highlight ethical and eco-friendly fashion by creators from poor countries.

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“For the first time at WSF, we wanted to have a fun and different activity where we could highlight sustainable fashion from around the world,” explains Arnaud Deharte, one of the event organizers.
 
Products from Aymara-alpaca (Bolivia) and Zafé (Haïti) were highlighted at the event.
 
“I really love ethic and eco-responsible fashion and I believe that political mobilization and fashion go hand in hand,” says event participant Marie-Lucie Dion, to AFP.
 
During the event, Lise Trégloze from France’s Fédération artisans du monde and Antonia Rodriguez Medrano, Bolivia’s ex-product development minister, equally discussed the advantages of equitable trade.
 
Mme Rodrìguez Medrano, who now works with Bolivian artisans and creators, highlighted how equitable trade is favourable to many Bolivian women.
 
“Our goal is to use fair trade as a means to improve our lives. It allows us a form of self-affirmation as women and also allows us to share our aboriginal culture through clothes,” she explains.