Fair Trade Fortnight - Day 4

Today's warm fleecy sweater dress is by People Tree (these days they seem to be calling it a 'loopback  dress', with the same Patagonia boots as before. The websites states that "People Tree is a different kind of fashion business. We give customers an alternative to fast fashion. Slow Fashion means standing up against exploitation, family separation, slum cities and pollution – all the things that make fast fashion so successful."

My scarf today is hand-painted silk by local artist, Hilary Anderson, while the ear-rings come from My Fair World, and are also hand-crafted. Part of buying ethically is to support artists and the craft skills which add value and a unique quality to items.

Fair Trade Fortnight - Day 3

Today's outfit comprises a lovely jersey tunic dress from Nomads. A version in a different colourway is still available in the sale! This is worn with a blue Nomads drape cardigan and cream Terra Plana Shoes. Jewellery items are local crafts.
The shoes state inside: "This shoe is made from natural and recycled materials". Terra Plana do not seem to have a website of their own any more, though I believe there is a shop in London. I have found various items for sale on the internet - but often from sites I wouldn't use! A dilemma - does one buy ethical items from an unethical source?
My friend Barb bought me the dress for Christmas - she knows my taste well! I had seen this and wondered, but wasn't sure I could justify it! While I love fashion, and buying clothes, I am aware we need to consume less for the good of the planet and its people. However, on the other hand. our purchasing does keep people employed. Somehow we need to work out an optimum balance of buying the right things at the right frequency - and there are so many factors to consider. Fair Trade Fortnight is a time to become more aware of the issues and take stock of what we can do to enable decent employment, a fair share of the earth's resources for everyone and the survival of the planet.

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!

Fair Clothes for Fair Trade Fortnight?

Inspired last year by Knickers Model's Own who spent all year wearing pre-loved garments from Cancer Research shops, I wondered if I could wear fair trade, ethical, or sustainable clothing every day during Fair Trade Fortnight this year. So to kick things off on the eve of the fortnight, the photo depicts part of the reason.
T-shirt from War on Want - a movement of people committed to global justice
Jeans from Monkey Genes who guarantee that everyone involved in their garments has been paid a decent living wage
Ear-rings purchased in Durban from a project that supports people living with HIV
(and knickers from 'Life's not Fair but my knickers are' - sadly no longer in business)

Came across an interesting infographic today telling us about the problems with jeans. I would recommend buying Monkee Genes so as not to be part of the problem! I love their skinny jeans - especially my plum corduroy pair!

I went to do a talk today on the ethics of clothing, and had called it 'How clean are your clothes?' which I was told lead some to believe I was going to teach them how to do their washing. OK, so I did mention washing at 30C being better for the environment but I started with ethiscores from Ethical Consumer for the clothing shops they suggested, and discussed reasons for the low scores.

Jacket on view in Wardown Museum 2012

Then I talked about my Fashion and Textile Degree including the reversible Olympic jacket made to show the good and bad sides of the Games. 



I decided it was time I wore the dress and coat made from reclaimed fabrics as part of my final year projects - and found I had a jumper and tights (and hair!) that picked out the colour of a corduroy patch.

The dress and jacket modelled
in the college fashion show 2013

They were encouragingly positive about my fledgling business "Wild Angels" as, like those we researched while at college, older women don't want to be frumpy, but can't wear some of the stuff they may view with envious eyes in 'younger' shops! I should have had more stock made up - I might have sold more than the one t-shirt!