Fair Trade Fortnight - Day 6

I attended the first session of a series of workshops in Bedford Archives today as part of a Textile Arts project entitled 'Weaving Narratives'. We had been warned it might not be warm so I was searching out thick clothing and realised I knitted this jumper with handspan wool from Botswana. This was a newly set up project for local income generation when I was there in the 1980s. Here it is worn with a pair of bamboo Monkee Genes and my comfortable blue Conker buckle shoes (looks like they don't make this style any more).
There is debate about the ethics of bamboo fibre - it grows fast, but does require energy and chemicals to produce - it is a 'regenerated cellulose fibre', which basically means the plant is chemically mushed down and then extruded to create the fibre. However the plant grows fast and doesn't require the pesticide use or water supplies of cotton and the fibre does hold colour and shape well - these jeans haven't worn on the knees .... yet! Bamboo Clothing are in favour, Patagonia are not.

Fair Trade Fortnight - Day 5

Back to the plum Monkee Genes cords today, with a white Bishopston shirt, red Nomads cardigan lined with print fabric, red Conker bar sandals, red Elvis and Kresse belt from recycled fire-hose, ear-rings from Covent Garden and an angel necklace from UKUnicorns.

Bishopston Trading Company closed down after 28years of working with the village of K V Kuppam in South India creating employment in weaving and sewing. However by then all of the workers children and been educated and many gone on to higher education, no longer wanting work in weaving or tailoring, Coupled with that we ethical purchasers in the UK were buying less. Fair Trade Fabric sold Bishopston cloth by the metre but fortunately have managed to find alternative suppliers so we sewers still have that ethical source of lovely cotton fabric in wonderful colours.

Conker Shoes website says: Conker Shoes has always been a small friendly business with a strong ethos of fair trade. Each pair of shoes is individually made especially for you.
While they may look pricey (they were about half this price when I bought mine) they really do last 'forever'. They will resole and repair - but mine have not needed it yet.

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)