Issue 155

Fairtrade fashion

14th May 2007

When we consider fashion, most of us are familiar with brands from Topshop or River Island, but it's important to recognise that fashion can also be highly beneficial as well as stylish. This month we celebrate World Fairtrade day on May 12 where more than 300 companies, including Oxfam and Amnesty International, from 70 countries around the world will take part.

The Fairtrade day is organized with the intention of encouraging businesses to sell fair trade products in order to empower and aid people in less industrialized countries in moving from positions of poverty to more stable standards of living.

One such event that aided the fight for Fairtrade was the Fair Trade fashion show that took place on May 4 at the Waterfront Museum. Organiser Lindsay Hill was keen to dismiss any misjudgements about Fairtrade fashion that people may have, "people tend think of horrible hemp sacks that only the hardcore fairtraders would wear but nowadays that really isn't the case. We've tried to choose a real selection of fairtrade clothes for our fashion show ranging from funky surf wear to jeans and dresses. The range of Fairtrade clothes and companies that do them has really grown in the past couple of years with companies like 'People Tree' getting celebrity support now too - apparently Sienna Miller is a fan!"

More and more people are becoming interested in where their clothes come from, the ethics of the clothing trade has become an especially important issue. "We are definitely more ethically and socially conscience when we shop and I think more and more Swansea shops will start to realise this and do something about it," points out Lindsay.

Although most Fairtrade clothes are available online, a lot of high street shops are beginning to get involved. For example Marks and Spencer now sells Fairtrade clothing and Topshop has also shown its support by stocking People Tree clothes in it's London brances.

Lindsay has huge passion for her work and other issues in fashion have also caught her attention.

When asked about the size zero phenomenon, Lindsay discusses how "[size zero] is actually really scary. I think pressures on people to be thin have always been around but it has definitely reached new heights! That's why we allow anyone to model in our fashion shows, regardless of size."

The Fairtrade fashion show was a huge success, and Lindsay adds that Fairtrade fashion is obviously here to stay. "Companies are realising people want to know their ethical credentials so the more we demand it the more they will have to convert to fairtrade. Plus more and more clothes are available now so you don't have to sacrifice your fashion sense to wear fairtrade clothes!"

So there you have it, Fairtrade fashion is here to stay. Not only does it promote a healthier body image but it guarantees fair treatment to the people who produce it!

Best of all as Lindsay says fair trade can be fashionable and contrary to popular belief its not all sacks and loin cloths!

The next big Fairtrade event in Swansea is a picnic which coincides with the "Earth from the Air" exhibition coming to Swansea, which will be held outside the Waterfront Museum on July 1, 12-2pm.

Waterfront Online