Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Armani etc.....??

[ginger.ninja]

tscha...and here's a slogan for you: "Save a developing nation today! buy a gucci bag!"

MONEY isn't the answer for these developing nations. You have to dig a little deeper, my dear.

By supporting the local, you're taking a stance and making a statement. You're saying no to profits before people.

[bungoshlung]

so letting them die is taking a stance to saying no to profit before people? good one!

what do you propose as a solution for developing countries without providing them money?

[ginger.ninja]

Originally Posted by bungoshlung

so letting them die is taking a stance to profit before people? good one!

what do you propose as a solution for developing countries without providing them money?

For a start, you could go out and educate yourself, then spread the awareness and make a difference by working with NGOs to help provide direct education and empowerment in these nations.

You could begin by reading a book by Kevin Bales entitled: Disposable People: New Slavery In The Global Economy

However, that might take more effort than swiping your credit card at Holt's..

[SEAN!]

there is a difference in quality especially in the higher end hand made shit, but mostly your paying for name, the marketing budgets for all fashion labels are much higher then any of there other budgets.

In the specific circumstance of Men's suit and non causal wear there is a significant difference between mid level brands like hugo boss and DKNY with higher end stuff like armani, canali or zegna which is mostly hand made and out of higher quality wool and silk. This is a difference that you can feel cuz apperently hand made suits end up fitting better and lasting longer(i dont got any but my daddy do) and there is typically a very significant difference in the appearance between different price levels in this specific category. You can recognize the difference in suit quality right off the bat and this has significance if your in an occupation where appearance and impressions matter.

[SEAN!]

Originally Posted by ginger.ninja

tscha...and here's a slogan for you: "Save a developing nation today! buy a gucci bag!"

MONEY isn't the answer for these developing nations. You have to dig a little deeper, my dear.

By supporting the local, you're taking a stance and making a statement. You're saying no to profits before people.

If those people in the developing world thought they were getting a bum deal they wouldnt be willing to work in those factories

what do you think working conditions were like in the western world 100 years ago? economic development is an evolutionary process and those in the developing world will catch up alot faster then we did.


Besides your more likely to be culpable in propogating 3rd world labour then someone buying armani or gucci is, designer brands are usually made in developed countries like portugal or italy(how do you think they justify the price difference?). The source countries for cheaper brands are where the sweat shops are. But I guess your more comfortable burying your head in the sand and blaming rich people for supporting third world sweatshops, when its people who shop at walmart and zellers who are the real culprits.

[bungoshlung]

Originally Posted by ginger.ninja

For a start, you could go out and educate yourself, then spread the awareness and make a difference by working with NGOs to help provide direct education and empowerment in these nations.

You could begin by reading a book by Kevin Bales entitled: Disposable People: New Slavery In The Global Economy

However, that might take more effort than swiping your credit card at Holt's..

so what happens when we're all reading books and people of the underdeveloped countries have no money left cause theres no market? yes, you can try to educate people here and people there in hopes that they will recognize that their work is worth more than a few cents a day but as you can see, it doesnt work all perfectly like that. you dont think that active goups have been trying to persuade the governments over there to provide more and be able to do more to help their people? canada has aided a bit in that it has forgiven etheopia's (i think it's that country) debt.

education is a part of the solution, but not the only step

perhaps you should join up with djmarkpaul and have your sessions where you <joke> bring your own tinfoil</joke> and think you're helping the world just cause you're talking about the issue amongst yourselves, while you spend your money on locals who are able to earn and live decently here.

[lou_belle]

These specialty items always look way cooler than the ones that aren't killing your budget:(

I usually stay away from things made in developing countries, unless it says that it's a "Fair Trade" item.

Bungolashung....i didn't quite read your whole post, but I think that you said that these countries need our business, wether it is fair trade or not.

But, by creating Fair Trade Communities, lots of these people are now being treated fairly, and eat regularily.

People on here rant about paying ridiculous amounts for items with names on them....eh*hem...I pay top dollar for items made in countries that pay proper salaries to their workers. I'm not hurting anyone when I pay for these things. What really makes me cringe is when I hold onto something that has been made in China and I feel the materials and think about the workers that didn't make anything from my purchase:(The mark-up in fine quality stores is comparible to all of the stores that produce their products in developing countries, and if you take into account how long they last, it ends up being pretty good bang for your buck;P

[COMATOS3]

Originally Posted by lou_belle

These specialty items always look way cooler than the ones that aren't killing your budget:(

I usually stay away from things made in developing countries, unless it says that it's a "Fair Trade" item.

Bungolashung....i didn't quite read your whole post, but I think that you said that these countries need our business, wether it is fair trade or not.

But, by creating Fair Trade Communities, lots of these people are now being treated fairly, and eat regularily.

People on here rant about paying ridiculous amounts for items with names on them....eh*hem...I pay top dollar for items made in countries that pay proper salaries to their workers. I'm not hurting anyone when I pay for these things. What really makes me cringe is when I hold onto something that has been made in China and I feel the materials and think about the workers that didn't make anything from my purchase:(The mark-up in fine quality stores is comparible to all of the stores that produce their products in developing countries, and if you take into account how long they last, it ends up being pretty good bang for your buck;P

thats a good point. your paying top dollar to the produce leaders in China when the workers are getting jack shit. its a shame really. im with you on that one. id much rather pay more for something when i know the workers are getting the money they deserve.

[lou_belle]

Originally Posted by ginger.ninja

education could mean a variety of things, from photography school to travel to whatevs..

maybe you'd prefer to talk about your nails/hair/clothes. I personally am a fan substance and am FAR from boring.

Nails, hair, clothes, hardly a topic of everyday conversation, but when I splurge, it's not on my classes. It's on something that is instantly rewarding, like a poncho!

[ginger.ninja]

Originally Posted by lou_belle

Nails, hair, clothes, hardly a topic of everyday conversation, but when I splurge, it's not on my classes. It's on something that is instantly rewarding, like a poncho!

yeah ponchos can be cozy and fun. I guess I was just thinking about purchases in the $3000+ bracket.

Originally Posted by lou_belle

I usually stay away from things made in developing countries, unless it says that it's a "Fair Trade" item.

thanks for bringing this up btw.