Fair Trade Fortnight - Day 2

Today's focus is a Skunkfunk skirt, worn with a Namaste pink blouse, a Nomads black longline cardigan and Patagonia boots.  Jewellery is via My Fair World again today as well.
I was very fortunate to get the boots in a sale - less call for size 2 maybe! Mostly an outdoor-wear brand, Patagonia's mission statement is Build the best product, cause no unnecessary harm, use business to inspire and implement solutions to the environmental crisis. Rather than claiming to BE a responsible brand they describe themselves as  BECOMING one, realising it is an ongoing journey.
I first came across Skunkfunk when I purchased a dress in Shimto the dress agency in St Albans (see blog post 5/8/13) and was delighted to find out about their ethics when researching the company. They hold GOTS certification and have a strong commitment to sustainability as part of their corporate responsibility. Primarily based in Spain, I am even more delighted to have found a few of their interesting pieces available from time to time in England.

Fair Trade Fortnight - Day 1

Yoday's outfit includes plum cord skinny jeans from my favourite Monkee Genes and a floral cotton overtop from Nomads.
The boots are from Vivobarefoot's 'Soul of Africa' range which helps to create employment in Ethiopia - and they go down to my size of 2.5! Just checking out the website for the address, I have had to order a pair of blue loafers in the sale!
Necklace and earrings are from Traidcraft, a number of years ago, but they still have pretty things.
The handwoven bag, dyed with natural vegetable dyestuffs, was purchased in 2010 when I visited a project in Pokhara, Nepal. You can see a video about the Women's Skills Development Project but I am concerned as to whether they have subsequently survived the earthquake. Their own website does not seem to be accessible, but there are reviews on trip advisor late last year.
Knickers are from my most recent exciting discovery Kerala Crafts, found online when my suitcase took a longer holiday and I needed to deal with a  distant shortage of underwear!
Don't mention the socks - I realise not having those in fair trade versions is a gap in my wardrobe - but the ones I have will last a good while yet, so better for sustainability to make them last than replace them!

Autumn Collection from Nomads

I visited the Nomads stand when I went to Pure London last year and was really impressed with their interesting prints and embellishments (as well as their 'clothing without compromise' principles). I particularly liked their coats, but can't justify when I have a similar coat already! However there is a patchwork pinafore dress I have my eye on (though I can't decide if I prefer the purple or the green!), from this collection - and I have a couple of their drapey cardigans that have been a good buy as an extra layer in cooler weather.








Do go online and take a look: either view the whole collection on their own site, or some items at Pinterest and also peruse their ethical policies.

Choolips Dress

I have had lots of positive comments when wearing my Choolips dress recently - and it's been warm enough to get some of my dresses out of the cupboard this year! It's a nice flattering shape as it skims across the tummy.

It was made in Ghana - you pay upfront so the dyers, printers and sewers can afford to make the dress, and then have the excitement of awaiting its arrival. I didn't get as many posts about its progress as I had been led to believe so did wonder if I had been taken for a ride, but the company is now confirmed as bona fide - and I saw an example of their latest collection at the Ethical Fashion Forum last month: beautiful space-dyed fabric in colours of indigo and deep red. The prices are now a bit higher - mine was a special offer as they were starting out - but worth it for a special event.

Have a look at www.choolips.com