Business Leaders

Bear with us as we answer your frequently answered questions! More coming soon…

Q: What is the Ethical Fashion Forum?

Ethical Fashion Forum (EFF) is the industry body dedicated to a sustainable future for fashion.

A not for profit organisation, our aim is to develop a collaborative movement which will transform social and environmental standards in the fashion industry within a decade.

The mission of the EFF is to SUPPORT and PROMOTE sustainable practices, facilitate COLLABORATION, raise AWARENESS and provide the TOOLS AND RESOURCES needed to reduce poverty, reduce environmental damage and raise standards in the fashion industry.

Find out more About EFF including, our story, impact, vision, mission and team.
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Q: What is ethical and sustainable fashion? What are the issues?

The issues behind ethical fashion are complex- creating tough challenges and inspirational opportunities. The following sections include more information on the issues.

THE ISSUES. Click for a list of issues we have provided an introduction to.

ON CAMERA have compiled a range of short films and animations about the Ethical Fashion Movement: From the issues behind it, to pioneering designers and ethical fashion on the catwalks of the world’s fashion capitals.

SNAPSHOTS. This section includes “snapshots” compiling useful information on a range of topics relevant to ethical fashion.
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Q: What services do EFF provide?

Essentially our services are INFORMATION & RESEARCH, CONNECTIONS & NETWORKING, and TRAINING & CONSULTANCY.

The Ethical Fashion SOURCE: The Global Platform for Sustainable Fashion

The Ethical Fashion SOURCE brings together in one place an industry database, incorporating everything from brands to shops, suppliers and professionals, an online magazine featuring latest developments in sustainable fashion, and the world’s first ethical fashion sourcing trade show bringing together ethical suppliers, manufacturers, and brands.

The SOURCE aims to do three main things- make it easier for fashion businesses to work sustainably, make it easier for consumers and buyers to buy from sustainable businesses, and link fair trade and ethical suppliers to market.

Its goal is to support a major shift in the fashion sector towards social and environmental sustainability – to transform livelihoods for 2.5 million people in the developing world within 5 years, and to radically reduce the environmental impact of the fashion sector.

SUBSCRIBE

SUBSCRIBE to SOURCE Intelligence and Database.

Subscribers benefit from:

• Access to all subscribers content on SOURCE Intelligence and Database.
• The option to list your business or expertise on SOURCE Database and use the EFF’s listed member logo.
• Discounts and free services through EFF and partner trade bodies and events.

SUBSCRIBE

SUBSCRIBE + CONSULTANCY

This package offers:

• All standards subscription benefits plus expert consultancy delivered by SOURCE Consultancy.
• SOURCE consultancy provides tailored consultancy services to help your fashion or textile business balance commerciality with sustainability.

To SUBSCRIBE or find out more.

FREE SERVICES:

SOURCE Network. The online community dedicated to sustainability.

SOURCE Network brings together thousands of individuals and businesses, from fashion designers and professionals to press, buyers, students, entrepreneurs, and consumers in over 100 countries. SOURCE Network is free to join.

The Network provides a first step into the sustainable fashion movement for suppliers, manufacturers, designers, consultants, press, buyers, academics students, and consumers.

JOIN SOURCE Network.

SOURCE Network PLUS

NETWORK PLUS is the next step for people dedicated to sustainability. NETWORK PLUS has been created to offer SOURCE Network members a forum to take their business further, through access to specialist research into the sustainable fashion industry, an exclusive place to network with other serious and like-minded individuals, and to to take their research, business or ideas forward as a result.

JOIN SOURCE NETWORK PLUS
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Q: Who can benefit from EFF services? What types of professionals is the SOURCE designed for?

EFF’s membership base is diverse, including thousands of individuals and businesses from designers to suppliers, retailers and buyers, press, entrepreneurs, fashion professionals of all types, service providers, academics, students, graduates and interested individuals.
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Q: How do I access SOURCE Intelligence and Database?

By Subscribing to the SOURCE. Subscribers to SOURCE Intelligence enjoy full access to the Magazine, Excellence Leadership Training, and the Sourcing Directory on the SOURCE Database.

Subscription is affordable for all budgets, and we offer a range of packages for individuals, students and businesses of all types.

Find out full details and costs to Subscribe.
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Q: What are the benefits of being an EFF member?

Subscribing members benefit from:

• Full members access to SOURCE Intelligence and SOURCE Database, including ethical sourcing directory.

• Useful business intelligence that informs, inspires, and motivates. More than information, our services offer in-depth evaluation into best practice in sustainable fashion, breaking down the strategies used to achieve success.

• An international network of suppliers, reviewed against our ethical mandate, making sustainable sourcing easier.

• Unparalleled expertise on fashion and sustainability across the industry supply chain, through our pool of specialist consultants and global network.

• A platform to communicate your ethical values, goals and initiatives in credible and transparent way to your client base.

• Thousands of pounds of savings through discounts and free services delivered by EFF and our partner service suppliers. Click here for full details of partners offers.

Full details of membership benefits in our SOURCE Brochure.

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Q: What is the difference between the EFF and SOURCE?

The SOURCE is powered by the EFF. The SOURCE was built as a platform to realise our mission to SUPPORT and PROMOTE sustainable practices, facilitate COLLABORATION, raise AWARENESS and provide the TOOLS AND RESOURCES needed to reduce poverty, reduce environmental damage and raise standards in the fashion industry.

The SOURCE is how EFF can support you and your business.
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Q: Why should I pay a subscription fee if I already get free newsletters?

EFF newsletters and SOURCE Bulletins feature a bite-size, snapshot of the latest information in ethical fashion and the latest content in market, business and supply on SOURCE Intelligence.

For full detailed triple bottom line business intelligence, analysis and research for the apparel, textile, design and retail industries, from field to final product, you need to Subscribe.

Collated by over 30 contributors and researchers worldwide, SOURCE Intelligence content includes:

• Latest market information and sales opportunities for sustainable fashion products
• Insider information on sustainable business innovation, leading fashion brands and the reasons for their success, finance and
  funding opportunities
• Supply sector innovation and latest developments
• Expert analysis delivered by SOURCE Consultancy
• Reports, surveys and briefings: From trend and market reports to retail surveys, sourcing and finance briefings. Our reports compile, analyse and summarise in depth and bespoke research by the SOURCE team.

Subscription also offers full access to SOURCE Database, the leading ethical sourcing and business database for the fashion sector. It includes sub directories featuring leading sustainable designers and brands, shops and buyers of ethical products, experts, and GLOBAL SOURCING DIRECTORY of ethical suppliers and manufacturers.

SOURCING DIRECTORY
Bringing together suppliers of ethical fashion textiles, components, and production services from all over the world – from fair trade co-operatives to mass manufacture. Subscribers have access to
supplier profiles and detailed supplier reports.

ETHICAL REVIEW AND LOGOS:
Businesses listed on the SOURCE Database are reviewed against the Ethical Fashion Forum’s Ethical Mandate. The EFF has two logos available for use by listed businesses.

DETAILED SEARCH FUNCTION
Searchable under product, ethics, country and keyword.
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Q: There are several different newsletters and bulletins on offer, how do I know which is best for me?

Our newsletters and bulletins are designed to give you the content appropriate to you. Click here for full details and to sign up.

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Q: Where do my membership fees go?

SOURCE Intelligence is a NOT FOR PROFIT initiative from the Ethical Fashion Forum:

The income from subscriptions to the SOURCE is reinvested towards the core goals of the Ethical Fashion Forum, as set out above. As a social enterprise, the EFF:

Offers subsidised or free access to content to individuals and organisations that need it most- for example small and fair trade cooperatives and groups based in the developing world.
Generates income through subscriptions from users that can be used to subsidise access by small and fair trade initiatives, as well as projects on the ground towards the EFF’s social and environmental goals.
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Q: Where can I get a clear print-out of services available to me through the EFF?

Download our Brochure for full details.

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Q: How can I get my organisation/brand/company into the spotlight amongst all your information?

By Subscribing to the SOURCE you have the option to list your business on the SOURCE Database and use the EFF’s LISTED MEMBER LOGO.

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Q: How can I get involved or work with the EFF?

We have several ways that you can engage with EFF and our goals.
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BECOME A SPONSOR OR PATRON
Through our core activities, which depend upon sponsors support, we are on target to engage with 50% of EU industry directly and to increase opportunities and improve livelihoods for up to 2.5 million people in the
developing world within 3-5 years, through linking fair trade and community suppliers to market.

We are dedicated to tackling the roots of unsustainable trade, not just the symptoms. Our collaborative, industry approach to sustainability is groundbreaking- and will set a precedent for change in other industries. The EFF harnesses the resources of the fashion business sector, to change the lives and opportunities of 26 million garment workers in industry supply chains- and 5 times that many people with other roles in the sector, or as dependents.

Find out more about Sponsorship

Find out more about becoming a Patron

PARTNERSHIP
One of the core goals of the Ethical Fashion Forum is to bring together organisations working towards common goals in relation to fashion and textiles, to avoid duplication and maximise impact.

We are looking for partners with networks of individuals and businesses working in the fashion industry to help us inspire and motivate wide scale engagement.

SOURCE Partners
The SOURCE platform is a social enterprise created by EFF, in collaboration with leading NGO’s from the Fairtrade Foundation, World Fair Trade Organisation, to Textile Exchange.

The SOURCE works with partners to develop content, showcase best practice , consult on vetting procedures for listed businesses and grow our supplier network. Contact the SOURCE team for more information on partnership.

Membership Partners
Membership Partners consist of businesses looking to engage with ethical fashion businesses and professionals of all types. Membership Partners offer discounts on events, services and products to EFF subscribing members. Contact the Membership team for more information on becoming a membership partner.

Our International Partners

Our UK Partners
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JOIN THE SOURCE NETWORK
The SOURCE Network is the world’s largest online community dedicated to sustainability. A forum for collaboration, sourcing, networking and information, we encourage all to join, for free.
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INTERNSHIPS AND EMPLOYMENT
EFF has several internship opportunities, primarily based at our London office at Rich Mix, situated in London’s most vibrant fashion district around Brick Lane.

For full details on role availability click here
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Q: I’m a new business, what support can EFF offer me?

Our NEW ENTREPRENEURS offers general resources for start-ups.

CONSULTANCY PACKAGES: SUPPORTING YOUR MARKETING, SALES, SOURCING & BUYING
For tailored support, we offer unparalleled expertise expertise through our pool of specialist consultants and our worldwide network. SOURCE Consultancy, the leading source of ethical fashion consultancy, is the

SOURCE Consultancy offers bespoke packages for businesses of all sizes on the following:

• Development and implementation of ethical trading policies
• Sourcing, buying and supply chain building
• Training, Mentoring and coaching
• Research
• Brand Building
• Access to market

Together we can make your business better.

Find out more.

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Q: I’m a student, what resources do you have I can access?

We offer a student package to subscribe to the SOURCE platform.

The following parts of our website give an introduction into the issues behind ethical fashion.

THE ISSUES. Click for a list of issues we have provided an introduction to.

ON CAMERA have compiled a range of short films and animations about the Ethical Fashion Movement: From the issues behind it, to pioneering designers and ethical fashion on the catwalks of the world’s fashion capitals.

SNAPSHOTS. This section includes “snapshots” compiling useful information on a range of topics relevant to ethical fashion.

Our partner organisation Fashioning An Ethical Industry is geared specifically towards students. Fashioning an Ethical Industry is a Labour Behind the Label project that works with students and tutors on fashion related courses to give a global overview of the garment industry, raise awareness of current company practices and of initiatives to improve conditions, and inspires students – as the next generation of industry players – to raise standards for workers in the fashion industry of the future.

You can always look to our Partners UK and Partners International for other organisations working in ethical fashion.

We receive so many requests by students for interviews for dissertations. Unfortunately we cannot fulfill them all. We built the SOURCE to provide information, the best way we can support you is through Subscription.

Join the SOURCE Network to connect with like-minded people from all over the world. Through groups, forums, discussions you can source information and make contacts to help you with your project.

NETWORK PLUS is the next step for people dedicated to sustainability. NETWORK PLUS has been created to offer SOURCE Network members a forum to take their business further, through access to specialist research into the sustainable fashion industry, an exclusive place to network with other serious and like-minded individuals, and to to take their research, business or ideas forward as a result.

JOIN THE NETWORK

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Q: I’ve forgotten my password, how can I access it?

SOURCE NETWORK & NETWORK PLUS

We’re afraid we cannot access your details, only you can do this. To request a new password click Forgot your Password to be sent a reminder.

If you experience any more problems please contact our Network Administrator who will be able to help you.

SOURCE INTELLIGENCE

Email the Membership Team to be reminded of your password.

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Q: How can I speak to someone in person about all of the above?

Call our offices on +44 (0)207 739 7692.