Vanity boosting prosperity and biodiversity?
The combination of the rapidly expanding global fashion and beauty industry and the internet is providing opportunities for developing countries.
Environmentally responsible fashions can become cultural ambassadors that change global value sets and lead to other economic changes that also foster greater respect for the environment.
It enables them to use their creative talents and cultural heritages to create jobs and sell products that are environmentally responsible. And even better, results can come swiftly thanks to the internet. Their ideas, designs, and products can be displayed online and sold rapidly around the world.
Experts at UNCTAD’s “Best of Nature” conference believe fashion, cosmetics and perfume can lead to significant increase of employment in developing countries. We are mainly talking about small businesses which there, as well as in the rest of the world, is an important component of progress. With the right marketing such creative work can be not only profitable but promote different cultures and biodiversity as well.
Biodiversity is a source of creativity and new products for the perfume industry. It is vital for supply chains to be transparent so that natural ingredients are responsibly harvested to make sure that the supply of valuable plants is not exhausted, Michel Mane, President of Mane USA said. He added that “by establishing techniques for the growth of perfume ingredients in developing countries we are able to ensure the ecological viability of our ingredients. By using both cutting-edge, environmentally benign agricultural practices and providing local employment we are able to ensure the ecological viability of our ingredients”.
More than 40% of Unilever’s turnover is now in developing countries, said Giulia DiTommaso, Unilever’s Director of External Affairs for Africa, the Middle East and Turkey. They are one of the largest buyers in the world of ingredients such as palm oil and have noticed increased consumer interest in environmentally friendly products. Unilever is hence focusing on sustainable use of water, soils and, not to forget, respect for biodiversity.
A vital issue is how environmentally responsible products can be certified and traced. We want to be sure of what we are buying. According to Sean Ansett, Managing Partner of At Stake Advisors, “customers will want to be able to trace their purchases “from farm to fork and from mine to mobile phone”. Current technology is showing that such traceability is now possible, if difficult”.
“There are “tool sets” to allow corporations to improve the transparency of their supply chains. Doing so generates brand trust and loyalty, especially as customers increasingly demand that products be environmentally responsible”, Tim Wilson of Historic Features said. They supply such tools to customers like Wal-Mart.
Definitions of “natural” and “organic” still have not been set by for instance the European Union, but are under development and definitions hence still vary from country to country.
Organic African fashion popular in the West
African fashion is increasingly popular in the developed world and is creating thousands of jobs in Africa. There is for instance a fashion school in Niger that’s helping 150 African designers develop their talents.
What Africa needs is the capacity to mass produce fashion, says Anggy Haif, a Cameroonian fashion designer. The continent lacks the infrastructure and industry needed for widespread production of natural-fibre clothes. But there is a huge market for that kind of clothes and many jobs depend on developing such facilities.
So now that concern over the environment is mounting, and words such as “green” and “sustainable” and “responsible” are heard widely, environmentally responsible fashion and beauty products have the opportunity to shift from niche products to being much more widely used. Environmentally responsible fashions can become cultural ambassadors that change global value sets and lead to other economic changes that also foster greater respect for the environment.
Wouldn’t it hence be an idea for aid and donor organisations to devote more time and money to assisting developing countries with getting the infrastructure and know-how needed to develop more such companies? To do so would lead to sustainable development that would enable the nations to gradually work and trade themselves to a better standard of living. As opposed to most aid it would not just have a temporary effect but would assist the developing world long term starting now.
photo: Ethan Allen Flickr
Tags: Africa, beauty, biodiversity, cosmetics, environmentally friendly, green, international, palm oil, perfume, prosperity, UNCTAD, Unilever, vanity, Wal-Mart
February 23rd, 2010 at 03:55
An excellent idea, Catarina. Intellectual Property (IP) is a readily exportable commodity; couple it with access to raw materials (cotton, fragrances, natural dyes…) and a pool of affordable labour and you could certainly build an industry.
What's more, "African Fashion" – as an example – doesn't have to be about indigenous patterns, etc., that might nor work in the big Western markets (although there will be a place for that, too). A good example of international fashion can be found at a place called YDE (Young Designers Emporium) in Jo'burg: young designers produce limited runs of their designs and people can purchase these off the peg. Some good, some bad – but it gives the opportunity to be noticed.
Take this to the next level with an international show for the buyers from the western retailers and the results could be interesting, indeed.
It all goes back to the "Teach a man to fish" proverb that I've mentioned before.
February 23rd, 2010 at 15:38
Good points Guy.
February 23rd, 2010 at 20:22
Catarina,
USAID ( under "missions" at their website) is also doing a fantastic job of teaching people in developing countries how to be environmentally friendly and economically sustainable, such as teaching sewing skills, business classes, and more. As you read in one of my articles there is a huge problem with the Environment and Development and where we draw the line. This has been a pervasive problem throughout the world, so I agree, while USAID and UNCTAD may be making progress in this area there is a profound need for other organizations to get involved.
February 24th, 2010 at 12:35
Glad USAID does!
March 12th, 2010 at 02:18
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March 12th, 2010 at 11:28
Thank you.
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April 11th, 2010 at 00:43
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April 11th, 2010 at 10:33
My pleasure.
April 11th, 2010 at 10:35
Glad you like it!
April 11th, 2010 at 18:49
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April 14th, 2010 at 10:34
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April 14th, 2010 at 11:10
Hello Gayle
Just click on "subscribe to Catarina's World" on the top right, just below the picture of me in Riyadh.
April 14th, 2010 at 11:12
Glad you like it Ron.
May 7th, 2010 at 18:52
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June 27th, 2010 at 19:14
I’m wanting to get some reliable dealers of rare trees. Do you have any suggestions? -Best Regards
June 27th, 2010 at 22:05
Sorry, can’t help you with that.
August 24th, 2010 at 15:44
EXCELLENT post Catarina. Though raised in the US, my roots are in India. I've witnessed charitable donations to women in villages in the form of sewing machines and tutorials on how to use them. What a win win situation to see these fine ladies sustain themselves and their families while also contributing to the local… and in some cases global markerts. I'm a big fan of supporting the hard working "little guy". I'm also inclined to think that the majority of these people are inclined to be honest about organic fabrics or ingredients.
August 25th, 2010 at 02:26
Catarina, This is a wonderfully uplifting story. I’m continually amazed at the impact that the Internet has had globally. It makes it so easy to build awareness of causes and issues and unites people in developing countries with the rest of the world.
August 25th, 2010 at 09:47
Catarina, again a really interesting post. For companies or governments to do this would need long term commitment not only from them but also the countries involved. As with any business venture it takes time and fine tuning from lessons learnt to make sure it is worthwhile for all involved.
August 25th, 2010 at 12:41
Yes Sherryl, the internet is amazing isn't it. Suddenly it's one big world at our finger tips.
August 25th, 2010 at 12:42
Good points Susan. Hopefully the commitment will be made hence enabling developing countries to develop this nische.
August 26th, 2010 at 02:33
Catarina, I agree with your ideas. I think it is an example of the quote by Lao Tzu – "Give a Man a Fish, Feed Him For a Day. Teach a Man to Fish, Feed Him For a Lifetime"
August 26th, 2010 at 17:28
Yes, that quote is so true, isn't it Julia.
August 26th, 2010 at 17:57
I love the idea of third world women and men creating their future by creating beautiful products from the resources in their environment. What a way to make a difference in our world.
August 26th, 2010 at 19:54
Yes Merry, it is isn't it.
August 27th, 2010 at 19:42
Just another of the ways that the internet has had a major impact on the entire world and changed how we look at ourselves and others. One of the biggest obstacles to getting started with a ground level business is getting yourself seen. It used to require a great deal of effort and cost just to get noticed on a global level. Now it's possible for anyone anywhere to get noticed and all it takes is some clever ideas and savvy targeting.
As internet access expands, expect the face of business and marketing to change even more. Traditional forms of communication are already struggling to keep up and stay competitive, which in my opinion is a good thing. The internet has added a level of competition that can only help to reduce the costs for advertising.
Great post.