Katherine Hamnett - The Review!

I wanted to go to the Katherine Hamnett talk to find out what the 'Real' person was like and I wasn't disappointed. I came away from the event feeling enthused, excited and happy!

Katherine Hamnett was presented by an audience of about 300 people and gave us a glance into the world of top end Ethical Fashion. Along with Miranda Sawyer, writer and journalist for the Guardian, an interesting debate was raised. Clean up or die?

Katherine Herself came across as passionate, informed and in touch with the issues of today, and although it was an 'informed' audience; offered a further insight into the world of fashion and ethics.

As Katherine herself focuses in on Organic Cottons, this was the main area of discussion. She raised points like the fashion industry employs (through production of fabrics, manufacture and designers etc) 1 in 6 of the worlds population. So anyone questioning whether fashion has an impact on the world has there answer there! Katherine also pointed out that cotton makes up 10% of the worlds agriculture with 99.98% of it produced in non ethical ways. So although we see Organics on our high streets, it really is just a token or marketing gesture.

For me some of the most interesting points raised were about the top end fashion industry. Louis Vuitton apparently uses ethical leathers in all their products, although it is something they apparently don't want to shout about. While designers like Christian Lacoix will do anything to avoid the subject. Katherine herself painted a picture of designers in the 1980's running away from her ethical ranting!

As for the person herself, I actually really liked her. I say 'actually' as so often in this industry you can meet your 'idols' and am somewhat let down by the real person. This time I can say I wasn't. As with so many people in the Ethical Industry, she came across as genuine, and we certainly need more people like that in fashion!!!