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Much of what we read about in the garment trade comes of political decisions, which can be debated, added to manifestos, funded less or funded more.
This is an alternative manifesto ideas for government to help sort-out the fashion industry after recent factory collapses in Bangladesh
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Point One: helping UK factories compete
UK government can help UK factories compete, by releasing tax data to say what factories exist. Data could be made-up into trade directory by anyone who could do the work. This is a cheaper way of helping first-world manufacturers than running a fashion week to promote Chinese rivals because the designer happens to live in the UK. Factories earn taxes back into government by creating jobs in run-down areas. Designers might pay tax, just a little bit, with luck, and might employ one or two people who could get other jobs before sending an order to china. Trade supplier data is a lean & effecient way of attracting trade, which suits the way UK factories have to be; they don't have the money to deal with government initiatives or do a lot of selling. They need to get sifted turse customers from trade directories at no cost.
They need an email that says
"I see in the directory that you make kinky knickers at mid-range prices with a minimum order of 144 per style & colour. Will you make kinky knickers with my Jimmy Saville label, perhaps with my packing & design?"
"How long will it take if I pay by bank transfer just before delivery?"
"What would your knicker price be?".
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Point Two: reforming London Fashion Week
UK government can change the fashion week that we pay for in taxes (through Greater London Authority and Department for Business' UK Trade and Investment). It can insist that exhibitors are nominated by UK or European factories & display the names of the factories. This would get better value for UK taxpayers' money: UK taxpayers pay to promote employment amongst other UK taxpayers.
Working with factories would encourage designers who are fair to work with and pay their suppliers on time.
At the moment London Fashion Week pays for extra coaching for designers who aren't businesslike - even some in the past who didn't have a way of making the clothes they put on show! It also helps a wider range of people. At the moment, a report called "The Value of Fashion" lists people like PR agents as the beneficiaries of London Fashion Week. These are people who are likely to get other work without the subsidy. If the money and publicity helped machinists and factory owners as well, that would be an extra benefit for no extra spending.
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Point Three: reforming tariffs
European and US government can change the tariffs that tax trade from countries without democratic welfare states like Bangladesh or China.
This helps people in Bangladesh as well as their cousins in Bolton. There is a consensus.
A formula can start to be worked-out over time.
More democracy earns a lower tariff - there is already a democracy index that could help this one get started.
More of a welfare state earns a lower tariff.
More human rights earn a lower tariff.
And the reverse could also be true, so a country with more expensive exports because of the cost of a welfare state can still compete on price with China. Maybe such a policy will even help people in China!
For small orders & niche markets, factories in the UK can also compete more faiirly if their rivals' employees in the far east have to pay national insurance or a tariff.
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Point Four: Eastern government can end poverty, if a new tariff system gives them the incentive.
Bangladeshi, Pakistani, Indian & Chinese governments can reduce poverty.
The mothods that worked in the UK 100 years ago were universal schooling and national insurance. Schooling for girls helped them become more assertive and reduced the rate of child birth. Pensions helped parents plan for old age without having to have as many children as they possibly could. Other benefits and factory safety laws were important too, as most of us know.