Kokova Magazine

For the first time, the Soil Association will be representing organic clothing and exhibiting organic products at London Fashion Weeks' Ethical exhibition Estethica from 16 to 20 September at Somerset House.

Brands on the Soil Association stand, co-designed by Telegraph style guru Tamsin Blanchard, will include Monkee Jeans, People Tree and Continental Clothing. The event coincides with Organic September, the Soil Association's annual, nation-wide celebration of organic production.

The Soil Association certifies to the Global Organic Textile Standards (GOTS), the international gold standard for organic textile processing. With regulation on organic textiles set to get tighter, and consumers increasingly asking for evidence to back up sustainable or ethical claims, certification to GOTS is a great option for businesses wanting to shout about their environmental and social responsibility and prove to consumers that what they are buying is the real deal.

Estethica started in 2006 showcasing 13 brands, and has gone on to support a total of 108 international designers over the past 5 years. It is now recognised as a leading ethical designer showcase with over 20 brands exhibiting this year who have to meet increasingly stringent ethical criteria.

Georgina Thomas, Soil Association Certification textile specialist, said:

It is increasingly clear that it is possible to produce modern, fashionable textiles in a way that is kinder, cleaner and better for people and the planet. It is great to be representing sustainable organic fashion at such a prestigious event.

The rapidly growing certified organic textiles market demonstrates burgeoning consumer appetite and an exciting and buoyant sector. There are now almost 3000 GOTS certified textile and garment businesses worldwide and Soil Association textile licensees saw sales grow a whopping great 35% in 2010.