Katharine Hamnett

To best understand Katharine, I recommend reading her online biography. She has had a significant impact on international fashion, from inventing stonewashing, distressed and stretch denim, to launching the first protest t-shirts in 1983 - designed to be copied and raise awareness whilst a percentage went to charity. 

In 1989 Katharine became aware of the impact of conventional cotton agriculture and it's causing 1,000,000 deaths per year through long-term acute pesticide poisonings amongst other by-products. She campaigns from then on, particularly focused on the issue of cotton, and in 2003, having been invited to visit cotton farmers in Mali with Oxfam, decides she must be the demand for organic cotton. In 2004 Katharine launches a new, online store KATHARINE E HAMNETT - E for being manufactured Ethically and as Environmentally as possible. In 2005 she designs and sources the manufacturing of organic cotton for the 'Make Poverty History' campaign. And in 2006 she signs a contract with Tesco for an ethical and environmental organic cotton clothing collection. 

Katharine Hamnett wears

 '58% DON'T WANT PERSHING' T-shirt 

to meet Margaret Thatcher at Downing Street.

The Katharine Hamnett website sells organic and ethical clothes, as well as being the platform for several campaigns. There is a plethora of information, well compiled and explained. It is particularly interesting in terms of cotton agriculture. For example, 

'Conventional cotton represents 10% of world agriculture and uses 25% of the world's pesticides.' 

'20,000 people die every year from accidental pesticide poisoning in conventional cotton agriculture (World Health Organisation). Death by starvation is alarmingly prevalent and 200,000 cotton farmers commit suicide annually due to spiralling debts incurred from buying pesticides. A further 1,000,000 people a year suffer from long-term pesticide poisoning (Pesticide Action Network).'

'By growing organically, farmers get a 50% increase in their income - due to a 40% reduction in costs - and the 20 % premium for producing organic cotton allows them to feed, clothe, educate and provide healthcare for their children.' 

Well worth a read and consideration.