Themester

Fast fashion might be fun and fit into your budget, but the consequences of that purchase might be greater than you think.  

Two disciplines in the College of Arts + Sciences, merchandising and economics, have joined forces at Indiana University to examine issues of ethical labor on a global scale with a one-day Ethical Labor Speaker Series on Nov. 8. With fashion closely tied to identity, this series will discuss consumerism, merchandising, and economics in the clothing world today.

Dr. Gerhard Glomm, professor in the Department of Economics, says this is an important event to teach students more about the impact of the clothing industry.  "I think one of the reasons for students and faculty to attend this conference is that the conference will lay bare connections between economic, social, political, and ethical issues that are typically not covered in a coherent framework in single classes," Dr. Glomm said. "It is, in my experience, exceedingly rare to bring together representatives of corporate America, higher education, and major human rights organizations to engage in a dialogue on a very important issue."  

The series starts at 4:30 p.m. with  Zoltán I. Búzás, associate professor of global affairs at Notre Dame, then Lena Simet, Human Rights Watch senior researcher and advocate and finally Francisco Luna Vilalta, Patagonia's director of sourcing & production . After the guest speakers, there will be a group panel open to the audience for a Q&A.  

The event was organized by students Cassie Driver and Claire Potter. Potter urges students to attend to learn more about ethical labor practices. Not only will this provide further insight, Potter says, but it will also kickstart new questions for students in their own area of study.  

"Our main goal is for students to walk away learning the reality of labor rights issues and what actions can be taken to support change," said Potter. "We hope that this conference will inspire students to consume ethically, pursue impactful careers, and make positive and meaningful changes as they enter the workforce." 

The Ethical Labor Speaker Series takes place on Nov. 8 at Ernie Pyle Hall from 4:30 – 7:30 p.m. For more information about this event, visit Themester’s News + Events website.  

  

Plan your visit

Parking and accessibility:  

This event occurs at the Ernie Pyle Hall. Ernie Pyle Hall is located near Indiana Memorial Union on Seventh Street.

• Bloomington downtown parking: Parking at meters can be found in downtown city streets adjacent to the university. Rates are typically $1.00 an hour.
   
• IMU parking: Parking is available at the IMU. Please see IMU Parking for rates and hours.
  
• Downtown IU parking lots (free parking): These downtown-adjacent lots are free to anyone on weekday evenings after 5 p.m. 
  

Lot #404: Von Lee 
Lot #412: corner of Fourth and Dunn streets 
Lot #402: corner of Sixth and Dunn streets 

• Accessible entrances: Visitors with limited mobility can enter Ernie Pyle Hall via the ADA accessible entrance at the north side of the building. 
   
• Accessible parking: The nearest accessible parking is across the street and at the Indiana Memorial Union parking lot. Some ADA parking is limited to those with IU permits. Please see the list of campus lots with accessible parking spaces  for more information.