UK fair traders launched early this month the Fair Trade Fashion Network to spread awareness of Fair Trade in fashion and to involve industry in this strive.  Fair Trade pioneers such as People Tree, Gossypium, Bishopton Trading, Epona, Pachacuti and Fairly Covered lead this initiative.

The creation of a visible network in the UK is the outcome of an agreement among these organizations to work together to mainstream Fair Trade in the UK fashion industry through advocacy and campaigning. 

Why now?

	Photo: People Tree Magazine

The transformation of fashion with Fair Trade principles is due largely to the growing public support.  The Fair Trade market for Fashion has already impacted small scale producers.  People Tree and Gossypium, working with cotton farmers for over 10 years, reported that cotton producers earned better income than before due to high demand of Fair Trade and organic cotton in the fashion industry.

Carry Somers of Pachacuti also saw a huge impact to her producers in Latin America when Pachacuti was certified under the Sustainable Fair Trade Management System (SFTMS) of the WFTO, as the first to be certified under the pilot phase of WFTO’s SFTMS Version 2. 

The network aims to go beyond the initiatives of Clean Clothes Campaign, the organization responsible for advocacy on labour and human rights of fashion industry workers.  It encourages the working directly with artisanal groups and small scale producers who deliver supplies to the fashion industry.  This will ensure small producers’ survival in the market and better, fairer income!

More updates will follow on the network’s next move.  (Mrs. Paisley, People Tree Magazine)