[neiltat]

I'm up in Scotland just now visiting relatives and we got round to talking about fake handbags. I'm amazed to find out (maybe not that amazed) that many girls up here will buy a genuine bag (eg Prada, Gucci etc) and then buy 2 or 3 fakes. During the conversation we got onto how these were made and the idea of children being involved in the process was completely foreign to them. Unbelievable really, sad and annoying

[Dunnymonster]

Hmm...I think more people know what processes go into making fakes than they let on, call it a guilty conscience. Its amazing how people will turn a blind eye to get that Designer handbag, Jeans or whatever just to get them, rather than admit they know that somebody out there suffered to make it

[neiltat]

Your too right

What do you think is a possible way forward?

[LXIX]

I just saw some huge presentation on child labor camps in my dorm, they were raising money for an organization that fights it. Showed this crazy horrible video of when they were pulling the kids out of their living conditions. Basically a hole in the side of a wall.

[Dunnymonster]

Originally Posted by neiltat

Your too right

What do you think is a possible way forward?

All you can do is educate the people out there, let them know the truth. In the end hopefully when nobody will buy the goods made this way then things will have to change, sort of the same thing that has pretty much happened in the real fur industry. Celebrities are tripping over themselves to tell everybody that the fur they wear isnt real cos they know how the public feels about it, in fact it is in vogue to wear fake fur now!

[CD!]

I feel alot of this is just plain common sense! Do the sums - how can it be possible to manufacture cheap goods (t-shirts for £1, beaded/sequined dresses for a few quid etc)?? You look at everyone in the chain, right from growing the cotton, designers, manufacturers, transport, retailer etc each one needs to make money (or cover their costs) and it just can't be possible unless they cut corners by using poor quality materials/manufacturing or whatever. The easiest and quickest way to cut costs is to use 'slave/child' labour.
Personally I disagree with cheap 'throw-away' fashion. I'm sure there are designer brands out there that cut corners but by paying more for garments we (well I do at least) assume the cutting of corners won't happen as often as with cheap throw away clothing.
If people stop buying decorated garments and extremely cheap products then there won't be a market for using child labour.