About

Welcome to the Ethical Designer Source  (Asia Pacific). This is a portal to connect the community of ethical designers and sellers with makers and suppliers in the Asia Pacific region. In order to work together, we have to first FIND one another. We are all united by the same vision – to make clothes and accessories that have a positive and enriching impact on the environments and lives of  both makers and consumers. Our tribe knows that nothing is beautiful if it comes at the expense of others, or of our planet.

For a number of years I started and ran a small ethical loungewear label and finding ethical garment makers was challenging (massive understatement). I wrote to NGOs and government trade departments, I hassled other designers and scoured Alibaba and other listing sites. For every 40 emails I sent, I was lucky to get one back. And for those who replied, the response was usually ‘sorry, don’t know, can’t help you.’

I’ve set up this website to make it easier for you to find garment makers, packaging suppliers, best practice guides etc etc. As a former designer myself, I know that it’s more important for you to spend your time and energy on your business instead of spending it on the search. 

A note on how the listings have been sourced.  In the first instance I’ve used Fair Trade accredited suppliers and referrals from Fashion Revolution representatives. I’ll be continuing to add to the list through a public call out. Judgement as to whether a supplier is ethical and sustainable will be based on whatever the organisation shares publicly – for example, whether they adhere to ILO standards or follow best practice guidelines in their country, or have charitable status, and so on. I urge designers to do their own research, ask their own questions and come to their own conclusions as to whether they are comfortable with the ethical bone fides of the suppliers they are using. 

If you know of ethical and sustainable makers and suppliers in the Asia Pacific area who are looking for markets, please send me an email (ethicaldesignersource@gmail.com) and I’ll add them to the list.  

Kindest,

Roxane Horton