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Fair Trade Fashion Marketplace

By Marie Oser ecomii.com
April 20, 2009
File under: Business News, Green Practices, Sustainable Products

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Fair Trade fashion is eco-chic, and trendy fashion designers are forging a number of strategic partnerships that will increase visibility and distribution.

Bono, activist and U2 lead singer, introduced Edun last year, a Fair Trade fashion brand that sells high-end goods through upscale stores like Saks and Nordstrom. American Apparel is a publicly traded basics brand that is best known for tee shirts and underwear aimed at young urban buyers. Their Fair Trade clothing is made in Los Angeles and sold internationally.

Fair Indigo is a young company founded by a handful of Internet retailers that relies mostly on the Web and catalogs to sell its reasonably priced upscale casual clothing line.  Industry veteran and Chief Executive Bill Bass said that Fair Indigo was the first mainstream clothing line made in accordance with Fair Trade practices.

Mercado Global recently announced a partnership between a line of Fair Trade fashion accessories and Levi’s that will include a collection of Fair Trade bags and accessories from Guatemala. Lotus by LOA is a trade label focused on skilled artisans’ cooperatives in India. They are offering chic and sophisticated décor and accessories through traditional retail outlets, partnerships and corporate gifts.

World of Good works with 133 artisan groups in 31 countries, distributing thousands of ethically sourced, eco-friendly products through colorfully displayed kiosks in spas, salons, bookstores, malls and yoga studios, and has recently launched WorldofGood.com by eBay.

The global network of Fair Trade organizations and its allies, connect the world’s most rural communities to the mainstream U.S. market empowering producers with intensive training, technical assistance, education, product development, and more. Fair Trade provides income-earning opportunities for producers who are frequently based in remote areas with scarce resources and infrastructure.

Fair Trade artisans from diverse cultures in Asia, Africa and Latin America produce some of the most unique handmade gifts, jewelry and clothing. Fair Trade certification guarantees eco-friendly, equitable and sustainable practices and buying Fair Trade certified goods is your vote against exploitation of people and the environment.

The Fair Trade movement has been steadily gaining momentum. Retailers are offering larger selections and lower prices. Nowhere is the growth in Fair Trade more evident than among online retailers.

Marie’s Fair Trade Finds:

GAIAM Fair Trade Marketplace  – Clothing, accessories and home décor and furnishings, yoga and fitness.

Indiginous Designs – Designer Fair Trade organic knitwear and accessories from around the world.

A Greater Gift - SERRV International - nonprofit organization working with artisans and farmers for 60 years.

Marigold Fair Trade Clothing  – Women’s co-op exporting handmade Indian clothing from Mumbai, India.

Manic Organic – Fair Trade organic clothing and accessories that are reasonably priced and stylish.

Bead for Life  – Ugandan women craft beautiful beads out of colorful recycled paper, “eradicating poverty one bead at a time.

North Country Fair Trade – Linking Fair Trade producers in Latin America with consumers in the US.

Solidarity Clothing  – High quality polo shirts, tee shirts, and reusable shopping bags from Bolivia.

Fair Trade Sports  – the first sports equipment company in the US offering fairly traded soccer balls, sports apparel and more.

Global Exchange Online  – 3 stores on west coast and online store everything from clothing and sneakers to candles and coffee.

Pachamama, World of Artisans – Pacha World features Fair Trade Clothing, jewelry, toys, artwork and more.

Ten Thousand Villages  – one of the world’s oldest and largest fair trade organizations, offering jewelry, home décor and gifts.

Indigo Handloom – Elegant collection of scarves, separates and   dresses in partnership with handloom weavers in India.

Birch – classic and contemporary apparel, accessories, gifts, linens.

 
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3  Comments
  1. Mzuribeads
    April 26, 2009 12pm EDT

    Lovely, clear instructions on our favourite technique (:
    Mzuribeads is an ethical business who have been individually hand rolling recycled paper beads to make unique pieces of jewellery from the village of Ndejje in Uganda for over two years. I would like everyone interested in the art of rolling paper beads to visit our website, where you can locate a stockist near you or goto our online shop to buy our loose paper beads and paper bead jewellery. http://www.mzuribeads.com Thank you.

  2. Lisa Zaslow
    May 25, 2009 10pm EDT

    Thanks for introducing some wonderful fair trade companies. It’s great to know where you can find fair trade fashion and accessories, as they tend not to be in the mainstream as much as coffee, tea, chocolate, bananas, etc. I would like to throw my online company into the mix…http://www.bluepeoplefairtrade.com., where you can find tagua jewelry, recycled handbags and other sustainable and fair trade accessories. Buy fair trade…it really matters to so many!

  3. Marie Oser
    October 10, 2009 5pm EDT

    Thanks! I was not aware of Aldea Artisans. I appreciate the turn on. http://www.aldeaartisans.com

 
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