Luxury brands are known for using expensive, exotic materials such as python skin and merino wool. But as concerns around animal welfare rise, the pressure is on to ensure ethical sourcing. It's why luxury houses are buying up animal farms to offer full transparency about their materials.

Unilever will start providing detailed information on the ingredients in the fragrances for all its personal care brands. Catering to the 94% of people who say brand transparency is important, the FMCG giant hopes the move will improve people’s trust in its brands and products.

After slumping during the recession, sales of organic food, fashion and beauty are on the up again, tapping into a consumer desire for authenticity and transparency. But what does the term ‘organic’ actually mean to consumers? And where do the opportunities lie for businesses?

Beautiful craftsmanship and fine fabrics aren't cheap, especially given the 800% markup between factory and shop floor. But now that US start-up Everlane is cutting the middle man to make ethical premium clothing affordable, its ‘radical transparency’ could really shake things up.