Culture & Entertainment
Clothes with Conscience
Culture & Entertainment
Clothes with Conscience
[caption id="attachment_2219" align="alignnone" width="203" caption="Annabel hamming it up in her Peekaboo Beans skirt"]
[/caption] In the wake of last month's
tragedy in a garment factory in Bangladesh, where more than 1000 people lost their lives because of appallingly unsafe work conditions, it's impossible not to look at where the clothes I have are made. I agree with Loblaw chairman Galen Weston that pulling out of Bangladesh is not the answer. Instead, it's about creating safe work environments and paying these folks a living wage. I'm definitely going to use my consumer dollars to show support for those companies that treat their workers fairly and safely, unlike those refusing to sign the Bangladesh safety pact or take any responsibility for what happened. I also like to support companies that do good in the world instead of just mass-producing piles of cheap clothes. I'm sure most people are aware of
TOMS One for One movement. This is the sort of corporate social responsibility I like to throw my money behind. I've also recently discovered a Canadian company that produces incredibly well-made kids' clothes, and also supports great charities.
Peekaboo Beans clothes are
designed for play because they believe that playing is a critical part of being a kid. I agree. To demonstrate this belief, they've partnered with
Playground Builders, which is a registered Canadian charity dedicated to building playgrounds in war-torn countries like Afghanistan, Iraq and the Palestinian Territories. They use local contractors and work with the communities to determine where best to build the playgrounds. Jen Daramola, a Beans stylist, tells me that she makes a monthly donation from her commissions, which the corporate office matches. Daramola is also a mom of four, who was so impressed by the quality of Peekaboo Beans and what the company was doing that she quickly signed on to be a stylist last year. "I was so interested and excited by this clothing brand, I just really wanted to be a part of it all," she says. "I love how comfy they are for my kids to play in. The quality is amazing and the resale value is fantastic. But more than just the clothes, I love what Peekaboo Beans stands for, which is play. Children need to be able to play in order to grow and truly experience life." Here, here. Let us know about other clothing companies you love that do good in the world.
[/caption] In the wake of last month's
tragedy in a garment factory in Bangladesh, where more than 1000 people lost their lives because of appallingly unsafe work conditions, it's impossible not to look at where the clothes I have are made. I agree with Loblaw chairman Galen Weston that pulling out of Bangladesh is not the answer. Instead, it's about creating safe work environments and paying these folks a living wage. I'm definitely going to use my consumer dollars to show support for those companies that treat their workers fairly and safely, unlike those refusing to sign the Bangladesh safety pact or take any responsibility for what happened. I also like to support companies that do good in the world instead of just mass-producing piles of cheap clothes. I'm sure most people are aware of
TOMS One for One movement. This is the sort of corporate social responsibility I like to throw my money behind. I've also recently discovered a Canadian company that produces incredibly well-made kids' clothes, and also supports great charities.
Peekaboo Beans clothes are
designed for play because they believe that playing is a critical part of being a kid. I agree. To demonstrate this belief, they've partnered with
Playground Builders, which is a registered Canadian charity dedicated to building playgrounds in war-torn countries like Afghanistan, Iraq and the Palestinian Territories. They use local contractors and work with the communities to determine where best to build the playgrounds. Jen Daramola, a Beans stylist, tells me that she makes a monthly donation from her commissions, which the corporate office matches. Daramola is also a mom of four, who was so impressed by the quality of Peekaboo Beans and what the company was doing that she quickly signed on to be a stylist last year. "I was so interested and excited by this clothing brand, I just really wanted to be a part of it all," she says. "I love how comfy they are for my kids to play in. The quality is amazing and the resale value is fantastic. But more than just the clothes, I love what Peekaboo Beans stands for, which is play. Children need to be able to play in order to grow and truly experience life." Here, here. Let us know about other clothing companies you love that do good in the world.
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