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Started this discussion. Last reply by Jem Bendell Mar 28, 2008.

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Sharing of information about authentic luxury in Montreal: Who / What / Where / When / How ----------------------------------------------Partage d'information au sujet du luxe authentique à Montréal : Qui / Quoi / Où / Quand / CommentSee More

Dany Comeau joined CharlieG's group Jun 9, 2010

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Montreal

Group posted by CharlieG Mar 8, 2010

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Work or Interest: Design, Advertising, PR, Journalism, Events, Other

Im interested in authentic luxury because:: I am a human rights activist in high heels Prada shoes, Louis Vuitton dress and Donna Karan business jacket…

I have been working in promoting human rights through international law and cooperation for development (with a focus on developing countries) for more than 10 years. I was told one day, with humor, that I cannot be a “genuine” human rights defender … as they don’t wear high heels…

I admit that this is all but practical when it comes to run away from tear gas thrown out at protesters in the streets of Seattle, during WTO meetings … But I am, in fact, from another generation, or at least have other perspectives on complementary means to address and convey our concerns.

I believe that the world of luxury: from the designers, through the production chain and to the consumers, has an underestimated power to contribute to the real changes that are needed. I also believe that we, from the human rights and sustainable development “business” need to open the doors of our quite closed world mainly made of "the already converted". We should find ways to articulate ourselves, and develop communications channels based on dialogue and collaborative process, rather then on the exercise of throwing stones on one side and building fences on the other.

Billions of people in the world – women, men, and children - suffer from violence and abuse, discrimination, poor work and health condition, or denial to access education. We all know that poverty is often the cause and the consequence of those conditions, supported by a number of factors that are direct impacts from the lack of fairness and ethics in the globalized world.

However, the values of, and commitment to do ones part to improve the condition of those people or even not to do more harm comes from human beings: whether they live and work in the luxury world industry, as grass roots level activists, or as policy advisors for international and intergovernmental organisations, as I do. On that point, it would be interesting to have a discussion about "social" or "green washing*, and when we should start balancing scepticism with collaboration towards: not perfection over night but at least, progress.

I am not wearing brands because of the brand itself…I am wearing them for the quality of the clothes both in design and fabric. The main challenge, of course, is to bring all sides on a sustainable common platform: I would certainly be more comfortable in ethical clothes, but currently – and I know it is changing since the last few years – the industry has not reached to a satisfactory level for the business class consumer. On the other end, we also need to seek, in collaboration with the stakeholders from the luxury world, means to maintain the profit level while being ethical - this is why those business exist, and this won’t change. We also need to articulate better the potential contribution they can make for the advancement of human condition and rights.

It may not be a coincidence that I am also wearing "Ange ou Démon" from Givenchy … I’ll certainly be in a more peaceful mind when my day to day outfits will be in greater harmony with the goals of my day to day work.

Congratulation for raising the profile of the issue through the publication of Deeper Luxury, and for this initiative: I look forward to the growing of a network of people with backgrounds as diverse as possible.

CG

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At 9:37am on July 12, 2008, Veerle van Wauwe said…: Hi, I love your motivation to join this network. I am on the other side of the spectrum. With a business background having worked for multinationals, now working with designers, jewellers and consumers to make clean gold a reality for all. ( mined without cyanide and mercury, by artisanal miners ( mining companies have not found a clean process yet- small scale artisanal miners work actively on it). I frequently feel I need to justify that I believe I can have impact building a business with these motivations, often I am challenged on why did I not create a NGO to address my concerns in the precious metal mining sector. Please check out my website www.transparencedesign.ch and connect with me if you have time for a coffee to further engage. Hope to hear form you soon. Veerle P.S. Transparence s.a. sells beautifully designer jewellery by leading designers in clean gold. So no trade-off needed between ethics and aestethics at our address.

At 8:02am on April 1, 2008, atique said…: HI Charlie, just say Hi from Indonesia :)

At 1:25am on March 31, 2008, Eco-Boudoir said…: Hi Charlie,
Thanks so much for sending the links to us - they were really appreciated.
I will keep you in the loop with how things are progressing.
Good to see a picture of the real you on here!
Jenny

At 10:45am on March 23, 2008, Jeremy Angelis, Designer for NICOLINA Luxury Footwear said…: Dear Charlie, thank you for the compliment and witty humour!

My best rgds,
Jeremy

At 8:28pm on February 27, 2008, Eco-Boudoir said…: Hi Charlie,
Thanks for the comment - you are a woman after my own heart. Slowly more and more designers are producing clothes ethically - but I must say there are still not many (except for my own of course) that I would wear - and there are definitely not any decent eco shoes or handbags on the market - yet there are fantastic organic leathers - unfortunately nobody is designing anything decent with them. I do however think that in 5-10 years everyone will be producing organically and ethically (hopefully) because it won't be acccpeted any other way. - we will have to be patient!