Fashion Takes Action is Canada's premier non-profit organization that focuses on sustainability in the fashion industry. We work with both industry and the general public, with the goal to shift behaviour toward more positive social and environmental impacts.
Our Vision:
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To see sustainability stitched in to every garment, shoe and accessory.
Our Mission:
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FTA helps lead the movement that unifies & inspires industry, consumers & policy makers.
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FTA empowers the consumer with the knowledge and opportunity to make smarter purchasing decisions.
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FTA builds capacity in members to promote + grow their business, while improving their triple bottom line.
It is no secret that the fashion industry is facing many challenges, including but not limited to: the use of pesticides and fertilizers to grow cotton; the highly toxic chemicals used to process and treat fabric; sweatshops and unfair labour practices; enormous amounts of water required to make clothing; the unethical disposal of contaminated water; and the fast fashion frenzy that is contributing to the growing number of textiles that end up in landfill each year.
We realize that perfection doesn't exist. There are still so many questions and not enough answers; and there are many ways for fashion businesses to become sustainable. Our goal is to present the industry with fair and accurate information, and to build the capacity within our members to make smart decisions and take action where possible. If we all make one small change in the right direction - the greener direction -then collectively we believe it can have a positive social and environmental impact.
We believe that there is still a disconnect between the consumer and the sustainable fashion movement. Without consumer “buy-in”, the sustainable fashion movement will progress at too slow a rate. A rate that we simply cannot afford. FTA works hard to bridge this gap by helping consumers understand the facts and introducing them to more ethical alternatives. We do this through our Distillery District Showroom, social media, public speaking engagements, events, media articles and interviews. We believe it is just as important for consumers to understand the Buy it to Vote mentality, and the power that they hold within their wallets. The more consumers demand and pay for ethical, sustainable fashion, the quicker we can get to where we need to be.
