The king of Brit-cool fashion, Giles Deacon, teams up with human rights and environment charity EJF in aid of international campaign to end child labour in cotton production
Giles Deacon has backed the Environmental Justice Foundation’s (EJF) Pick Your Cotton Carefully campaign, designing a t-shirt to raise awareness of the use of forced child labour and the ecological devastation associated with cotton production.
His monochrome, unisex design reflects his cutting-edge style. | ||||
The exclusive t-shirt has been modelled by a host of celebrities and top models from soul diva Joss Stone and actor Nicholas Hoult to fashion favourites Laura Bailey, Lisa B, Bianca Balti, Karlie Kloss, Paul Pavlovska, Sessilee Lopez, Alyona Osmanova and Max Rogers.
Giles Deacon, 2007 British Designer of the Year is joined in the project by Zandra Rhodes, Allegra Hicks and John Rocha.
The ethical fashion t-shirts are produced on organic and fairly traded cotton and printed with organic certified inks.
All money raised by EJF from the sale of the t-shirts goes to support the charity’s valuable work. The t-shirts, which are very kindly sponsored by Continental Clothing are available in ladies fitted and men’s classic styles from £30 from www.ejfoundation.org/shop (worldwide delivery). | ||||
EJF works to achieve environmental security and resolve the profound human rights abuses associated with cotton production globally, with particular focus on the Central Asian Republic of Uzbekistan.Around the world, whether it is state enforced, or child trafficking, millions of children face severe exploitation in the cotton industry. In Uzbekistan, the world’s 3rd largest exporter of cotton, roughly a third of the population are forced to work in conditions near slavery for the state run cotton industry. Many are children. Schools across the country are shut down for the cotton harvest as children from the age of 7 are sent to work for weeks in the fields, paid little or nothing, but benefiting their repressive government through this forced labour. | ||||
Max Rogers says:"This is a cause we can all support easily, simply by considering the effect of our purchases and the prospect that they contribute so directly to such death and destruction. EJF are doing a fantastic job of raising awareness of this issue. In addition to modifying our own consumer habits, by supporting them we can help influence others to avoid contributing to this crisis. Therefore ultimately halting the problem before more damage is done."
Juliette Williams Programme Director, EJF, says “Even in tough economic times, our buying power can be a force for good. Choosing organic and fairly traded cotton actively supports communities in some of the world’s poorest nations, where fair and equitable trade to the west can literally mean the difference between life and death. With public support, companies have been inspired to look at the way the cotton they buy and sell is produced, and high street names are saying ‘no’ to cotton from Uzbekistan until child labour and environmental abuses are eradicated. Together we can change our world”. | ||||
 Lisa B and Laura Bailey in Giles Deacon organic cotton charity t-shirt Photos by Jane Mcleish Kelsey | ||||
 Nicolas Hoult and Paul Pavlovska in Giles Deacon organic cotton charity t-shirt Photos: Nicholas by Jane Mcleish Kelsey and Paul Pavlovska by Eric Guillemain | ||||
 Bianca Balti and Sessilee Lopez in Giles Deacon organic cotton charity t-shirt Photos by Eric Guillemain | ||||
 Karlie Kloss and Alyona Osmanova in Giles Deacon organic cotton charity t-shirt Photos by Eric Guillemain  |
Giles Deacon for EJF: organic cotton charity t-shirt |
