Is the sheep shagged ?

A while back, in Monocle Magazine I read about the trials of the Harris Tweed industry. It seems things have got worse for the British Commonwealth with Wool prices hitting a 50 year low. In Britain the average price for a kilogram in 1997 was 93p. Last year it fell to 66p. The Prince hopes to recreate enthusiasm for a product that during the Middle Ages was this country’s most important trading commodity. The intention is to establish a new green label for woollen products and for shops to give a commitment to promote wool

A wool week, backed by John Lewis and Marks & Spencer, is planned for September, just before London Fashion Week, when shoppers start to plan and buy their winter wardrobe. The Prince hopes to encourage a return to woollen carpets and rugs instead of wooden flooring, and for woollen clothes that last instead of the “fast fashion” trend for cheap, synthetic, throwaway garments that are being dumped in landfill sites.

MY tupance: It seems fairly obvious (black&white) what is happening in the fashion industry with regards sustainability and ethically manufactured product. There is a huge standoff between cheap and traditional. I know what side im on, although fully aware I cannot always stock the traditional or authentic product. It's simple economies of scale. As long as there is huge demand for cheap, it will remain cheap. As long as there is little supply of traditional it will remain expensive, unless of course they are on their knees. Oh wait, they are.

2010 will be an interesting year, especially if governments get involved rightly or wrongly in protectionism.

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