It’s pretty safe to say that ethical progress in the fashion industry will not be the thing most people will remember about 2008. Nor should it be, given the magnitude of other things that have happened in the world. But to those of us fashion enthusiasts or industry stakeholders, this year delivered some landmark moments that are worth revisiting.

The ethical fashion movement took a big step up last year. What may often seem as a pet issue to us — wasted garments, waste in making garments, ethical treatment of textile manufacturers, conscientious buying habits — finally caught the attention of journalists, readers, and industry leaders across North America and Europe, and even beyond to some extent. In other words, ethical fashion is making its way into the mainstream.

So as we look forward to what will hopefully be a year of even more progress on fashion-related issues in 2009, there are a few 2008 moments that are well worth revisiting. Click below for a brief slideshow of some of our favorites.