J. Crew Group launches ethical initiative with Fair Trade USA

By

Gabriella Lacombe

Published
Jan 29, 2019

J. Crew Group, the owner of brands like J. Crew and Madewell, is the latest company to launch a major initiative for the good of the planet sure to appeal to Gen-Z consumers, entering into a new partnership with Fair Trade USA and releasing an ethical denim line. 

In addition to having future plans to grow their Fair Trade USA program, J. Crew Group additionally aspires to have its J.Crew and Madewell brands offer one of the largest Fair Trade certified apparel assortments to their customers in the coming years.

In honor of the partnership, J.Crew is launching a new ethical collection of denim, featuring nine total styles for women – five eco and fair trade styles and four Fair Trade styles, with prices ranging from roughly $78 to $168 – and six eco and Fair Trade styles for men (retailing at about $129). 

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To ensure its commitment to Fair Trade standards throughout the production process, J.Crew Group has funded the Vietnam-based Saitex Factory for its Fair Trade certification, and is looking to certify additional factory locations in the future. 

For every Fair Trade certified product sold, J.Crew will put money toward a Community Development Fund that goes directly to the workers that made the clothes, who will then collectively vote on how to spend the funds on local issues.  

According to a press statement from Fair Trade USA, jeans must be ecologically responsible on both a fabric and factory level, made of organic cotton, and both dyed and washed sustainably in order to qualify as "eco" under its regulations.

To qualify as "Fair Trade," the denim must be made in a factory that has been legally certified as Fair Trade and that possesses certificates of fair treatment toward workers, such as proof of easily accessible healthcare, access to maternity leave, and proof of no child or forced labor.