We are all a part of the $1.5 trillion global fashion industry and we may be supporting forced labor, environmental pollution, and animal cruelty without knowing it. Conscientious consumers should be aware of the fashion industry's tremendous global impact on people, our planet, and animals. We can all choose to not support unethical practices with our dollars every time we purchase fashion.

Nikki Duong Koenig is a proud graduate of the SMU Meadows School of the Arts. She is the Founder and President of Cykochik Custom Handbags, a creative and cruelty-free fashion company she founded while a student in 2003. Nikki has cultivated an international award-winning company through her love for art, fashion, and activism for social justice, animal rights, and environmental protection. In 2013, PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) awarded Cykochik with the Compassionate Business Award.

This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at http://ted.com/tedx