An end to all 'ethical' clothing brands.

We'd love to see the High Street take the issues around corporate social responsibility seriously. Our vision is that ethically produced clothing is not just 'available' on the High Street, but that all products sold on the High Street are ethically produced, thereby removing the need for goods to be packaged as 'ethical'.

We don't see this happening any time soon unfortunately. For the more immediate future, with respect to our own business, we aim to be part of a bigger movement - pushing harder to get ethical clothing accepted as something greater than a speciality on the fringes of fashion.

Business aims

To find the best ethical brands from around the world and bring them to UK (and European) consumers, giving them a real choice.

To give maximum support to independent retailers.

Increasing the number of High Street outlets selling ethical clothing is a key objective for the medium term.

Business philosophies and beliefs

We believe that it is possible to produce quality clothing that people want to wear without causing damage to the environment or the people making the clothing.

Social and environmental impact of operations should be as important to business as making profits for shareholders.

Business Information

Date established:: March 2007
Contact details: Leith Drapes Managing Director leith@earthandwear.com 01745 571881
Business structure Help Basic business structures under UK law include: sole trader, partnership, private company limited by shares, private company limited by guarantee, community interest company, public limited company, private unlimited company, and franchise.: Company Limited by shares
Address of company headquarters: Foryd Borth Crossroads Abergele Denbighshire LL22 9SB
Countries of operations: UK, Brazil, US, Argentina
Countries where goods and/or services are sold: UK + Worldwide
Size of workforce: Sole trader
Financial year Help The 12 months used as a company's accounting period. This may or may not be a calendar year.: 1st April to 31st March
Market capitalisation Help The market value of a public company's issued share capital, i.e. the number of shares multiplied by the current price of those shares on the stock market. For private companies, 'company value', estimated by the book value of all assets or by using comparable companies, is a more appropriate term. This information is not compulsory.: GBP 500,000
Turnover (last financial year) Help Income that the business receives from its normal business activities, usually from the sale of goods and services to customers. Also known as total revenue, total sales or the top line.: GBP 80,000
Profit (last financial year) Help Gross profit is the total turnover minus cost of sales. Net profit is the turnover minus all expenses, including payroll and tax. Businesses are asked to state gross profit, net profit or both. This field can be left blank.: Small loss
Details of owners: Leith Drapes 100%
Directors' other business interests Help Businesses are asked to list other directorships held by their directors and company secretary: No other directorships

Goods and Services

Our main brands are:

No Sweat - An American brand that manufactures all of it's clothing in unionised factories, both in developed and developing countries. They are increasingly using eco-friendly materials in their products. Our main products from No Sweat are their footwear - baseball boots and trainers. More recently we have started stocking their t-shirts from Palestine and belts from South Africa.

Amazon - Flip flops from Brazil made from recycled tyres.

Business Responses

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Community Relations

Community Relations is about a business in a social and economic context. A business can strongly influence the quality of life not only for employees, but also for the wider community in which it operates. It is recognised that a sustainable community promotes sustainable business.

Corporate Governance

Corporate governance is about how a business is structured and whether rights, responsibilities and duties are clearly set out and understood. These issues are critical in maintaining accountability and providing strong decision-making functions.

This section provides an opportunity for a company to indicate how it remains honest, transparent, equitable and reputable in its conduct. These objectives are relevant to any business whether large or small.

Donations and Payments

To whom and exactly how companies make donations and payments, including those to charitable organisations, professional associations and government, are extremely complex issues. It is important that companies disclose their corporate donations, publish their payments and explain what they hope or expect to receive in return.

Environment

Natural resources are vital to sustain our lives and lifestyle. This section looks at the impact business operations have on the physical environment. It is not always easy to address the challenges, but companies have the opportunity to show the problems they face and how they tackle them.

Human Rights

This section is about how businesses ensure that their operations do not violate the fundamental rights of individuals and communities at home or abroad. Businesses have the opportunity to examine this issue with regards to their own practices, supply chains and business relationships.

Marketplace Ethics

This section is about how businesses handle consumer rights and wider welfare issues. Many of the questions cover areas where there is a fair amount of legislation and regulation: it is an opportunity for businesses to show how they go beyond a legal minimum to address ethical issues in the marketplace.

Workforce

It is widely acknowledged that people are the most valuable asset to any business. In this topic, the questions are addressing the treatment of workforce. It is quite diverse but the focus is on promoting a fair, equitable, honest and supportive work environment.