Everyone loves the cooling effect of cotton clothing in summer, the feel of fresh bed sheets, and the comfort of fluffy new towels when jumping out the shower. Unfortunately, continual supply from this US$30 billion industry comes at a price to both environment and humanity.

Children are particularly at risk. Often forced to work in cotton fields to earn a living, schooling is disrupted, and exposure to toxic chemicals present in pesticides can have a detrimental effect. In order to end child labour in cotton production and put a stop to the route to ecological devastation, the Environmental Justice Foundation (EJF) has launched a new, exclusive collection of organic and fairly traded cotton T-shirts.

Playful designs from Giles Deacon, Allegra Hicks, Zandra Rhodes and John Rocha, based around the theme of childhood, lost innocence and hope, represent more than a million children around the world compelled to work in the cotton industry.

EJF, a UK-based charity, work globally to empower those suffering from environmental and human rights abuses. Their latest Cotton Campaign, previously backed by Christian Lacroix, Luella, and eco-activist Katharine Hamnett, has already amassed a celebrity and fashionista following.

In London, Brit supermodel Lily Cole, singer Sophie Ellis-Bextor, top male model Max Rogers, and fashion expert Louise Roe were snapped for the campaign. Whilst in New York, renowned fashion photographer Eric Guillemain captured America’s Karlie Kloss, South Korean sensation Daul Kim, and Russian stunner Anne Vyalitsyna, alongside 20 other international models.

Over US$2 billion of chemical pesticides are used on cotton crops each year, with almost half classified as 'hazardous' by the World Health Organisation. British model Jasmine Guinness, photographed by Jane McLeish Kelsey, was particularly eager to stress environmental impacts associated with cotton manufacture: "Cotton production today can be incredibly poisonous to the world’s ecosystems. We have had it too cheap for too long and now we have to pay a little more not just for the quality of our t-shirts but for the quality of the lives of the pickers, the producers and the planet".

It is certainly important to consider our buying power on the high street to eradicate inequitable trade. Juliette Williams, Programme Director for EJF says “With public support, companies have been inspired to look at the way the cotton they buy and sell is produced, and high street names are saying “no” to cotton from Uzbekistan until child labour and environmental abuses are eradicated. Together we can change our world”… Time to get your wallets out!

The t-shirts are available in ladies fitted and men’s classic styles from £30 on the charity’s website www.ejfoundation.org/shop. Money raised will go towards supporting the EJF’s valuable work.