Though Fairtrade Fortnight is not officially over yet, it has been named as the most successful in promoting fair trade goods in all of Fairtrade Foundation's history. This year, over 20 villages, towns and cities have been certified Fairtrade and schools and committees up and down the country have been hosting Fairtrade fashion shows, proving support and awareness is steadily rising. Even Hadrian's Wall is officially certified Fairtrade as of this Fortnight.
The Fairtrade Foundation have also reported that "public loyalty" towards buying products at a fairer price for farmers, artisans, and producers in developing countries has increased, claiming even the tough economic climate has not hindered the "double-digit growth" of Fairtrade sales to £800m in 2009. With an extra £800m going straight into the pockets of farmers, factory workers, seamstresses and everyone involved in the Fairtrade process in a developing country, what's not to love about Fairtrade?
For anyone who's still unsure as to how to make the first step towards switching to a fairer product, start with the smaller pleasures in life - such as tea. Whilst there are dozens of brands to choose from, you only have to look a little closer when doing your weekly shop to see ethically traded tea is easily bought for almost the same price as non-ethical brands from your local supermarket. Brands such as Yorkshire Tea, Clipper (who are incidentally the very first Fairtrade certified tea in the UK), and Traidcraft to name just a few are doing their bit for their tea pickers, which means a fair wage, no pesticides, and investing money back into their local community. 100 percent fair for everyone involved.
Fairtrade fashion's image long ago lost its itchy hemp and stuffy anorak image, as it emerges stronger than ever this year thanks to a successful seventh season of London Fashion Week's ethical fashion exhibition Esthethica (sponsored by Monsoon and co-curated by Orsola de Castro and Filippo Ricci), which ensured dozens of high fashion ethical labels such as Angel Jackson and Noir showcased their goods. Ethical fashion publicity has also been successfully drummed up this Fairtrade Fortnight by a certain Harry Potter actress. While I don't believe for a second Miss Watson single-handedly "designed" the pieces for the "Love From Emma" line at People Tree, anyone who is willing to raise awareness of the fact that workers in the clothing industry from developing countries are typically paid 5p an hour and work 80 hours a week, deserves a mention this Fortnight - especially since she is one of the first in her generation to lend her name to such a cause.
If People Tree's designs don't work for you, or what you do want is out of stock (as is quite often my case) why not try Bibico, Aura Que, Lowie, or Tara Starlet for some ethically made, lovingly-crafted, vintage, wooly and guilt-free shopping delivered to your door? You know you want to, especially since their sales stuff is smoking hot and affordably so!
Just remember, Fairtrade Fortnight is about giving as well as receiving, so start receiving now =).
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