Kate’s clothes or my clothes?.

The Kate Moss collection at Topshop has brought Philip Green more media exposure than even he expected and will net him a profit even after her reported £3M signing fee is paid.

However a quick calculation will show that he has paid more for her designer name than the cost of the goods themselves estimated to be somewhat nearer £2M.

Amongst the articles, have been those about the ethics of her clothing production and I for one know it is only possible to work like that if current cotton, stitching and transport prices stay as they, are leaving out the true environmental and social costs.

But I, who know what the true life of a cotton farmer is like, as well as the high risk and chaos of the clothing industry, will not knock Philip Green for his adventure.

He has done the honest thing and offered the wandering girl who has put a pretty face on other peoples brands something of her own - her name her face and even an office have all come together for her at last thanks to Philip.

No my question is more about the state of our self image – why do we have to pay so much to get a look – do we know so little about how to dress that we only feel comfortable looking like someone else?

If we really do want to see a fairer trading system we must start by getting a little braver with our dressing habits. We must understand the fabrics and more about how to love and care about our clothing. The people of Lewes who patronise our local shop Gossypium know what they want and they vote with their wallets.

Time for more of us to start to do the same. There is only 1 Kate Moss and 60 Million British citizens. Where are you all ?