The totes, clutches and zippered pouches are made of brightly colored raffia, jute and wild seagrass. Handles are made of wood.
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Showing posts with label fair trade. Show all posts
Showing posts with label fair trade. Show all posts
Fair trade handbags and totes
Mar Y Sol calls itself "a socially responsible resort accessories company that collaborates with artists in New York and artisans in Madagascar." The company designs and creates authentic accessories made by hand using natural materials sourced sustainably from Madagascar’s forests. The sale of the products enables families to gain economic independence and promotes environmental conservation. This is achieved through fair trade partnerships with artisans who make a living wage through Mar Y Sol's “trade not aid” business model.
The totes, clutches and zippered pouches are made of brightly colored raffia, jute and wild seagrass. Handles are made of wood.
In Atlanta, see the bags at the Aesthetic Movement showroom (building one, 10th floor).
The totes, clutches and zippered pouches are made of brightly colored raffia, jute and wild seagrass. Handles are made of wood.
Fair trade home decor, jewelry and stationery
- Providing work and income for the most economically disadvantaged artisans throughout the world;
- Promoting fair trade;
- Encouraging the empowerment of women and physically challenged individuals through raising their self-esteem, dignity and self-sufficiency;
- Creating a non-exploitive, supportive business environment in which women of different religions, ethnicities and ages can gain energy and learn to work together
- Protecting children's rights;
- And developing employment opportunities for many artisans, many of whom would not be employable in mainstream business.
Hand-woven textiles
See the company, a member of the Fair Trade Federation, at the New York gift show.
Retailers: Contact the manufacturer for prices and minimums.
Shoppers: Ask your favorite independent retailer to order this item for you.
Guest blog: Why Fair Trade Changed My World
Whether you source items from local artisans or those manufactured by large factories in China, the fact of the matter is that someone was responsible for making those items. And the question we should ask ourselves as retailers is: Are we hurting others in the process of merchandising our shops with beautiful items?
I first learned of fair trade almost a decade ago when I was working in the gift and home industry for a large trade show producer. I love the little shops that dot Main Street and was overwhelmed by the choices of tantalizing products awaiting retailers down every aisle and showroom. How could they choose, I asked myself?
As I spoke with retailers and manufacturers, it became clear that prices, next to products, were very important to them. And in order to keep prices low, the cost of producing the products had to be as low as possible. Well, someone had to “pay the price” of keeping prices low and you can imagine who has to bear the brunt – those who toil to make the products.Fair trade, at its very core, is about paying those who make the products a fair wage. It also means they are working in decent working conditions and do not employ sweatshop or child labor. This concept made so much sense to me – why would I ever want to sell (or wear or use something) when I knew another person had to suffer for me to have it?
I launched World Shoppe as a way to offer beautiful and on-trend gifts and home accessories that were all handmade and fair trade to test my idea – Is there a market to support fair trade? Is there ever! World Shoppe quickly gained steam and within a few weeks of going live, I received a call from a national consumer fashion magazine editor who wanted to feature three of the items from the site in its holiday gift guide. Within two months I was shipping out hundreds of gifts and home accessories all over the country.
Last year I had the opportunity to visit with artisans in South Africa where I was able to work one-on-one to create a beautiful collection of copper and brass jewelry. The designs are new to the United States and definitely not for the wallflowers. The necklaces are more statement pieces, the cuffs are to be noticed and the earrings will complement almost any outfit – day or night. Within days of U.S. Customs releasing my shipment, I had my first retail customer who also offered to host a launch party for the new line. Within two weeks, I had three more. Are American consumers ready for fair trade? Absolutely.
Is fair trade easy? Not always, since you’re often working with developing countries strife with political or other type of turmoil. Postal office strikes, lack of road access, not properly marking products with country of origin and having your packages held up at U.S. Customs are all very real issues that affect packages coming into the United States. Nonetheless, the rewards of positively affecting another person’s life is what motivates me daily.
So next time you’re eyeing some new gifts or home accents for your shop, take a moment to ask another critical question after you ask about the prices or minimums – how is the product made? While no one will tell you the item has been created using sweatshop or child labor, the answers may surprise you – positively or negatively. For a list of organizations currently wholesaling fair trade gifts and home accessories, visit the Fair Trade Federation. The non-profit also lists organizations exhibiting at various gift and home trade shows throughout the country, making it ways to find, and source, socially-responsible merchandise for your shops!
Megy Karydes is founder of World Shoppe), a fair trade retailer and wholesaler of handmade jewelry from South Africa. You can contact her at megy [at] World-Shoppe [dot] com
Fair Trade Federation Offerings Expanded at California Gift Show
from a press release
Los Angeles, CA (December 3, 2009)—This January, the California Gift Show and the Fair Trade Federation are joining forces again to offer the largest Fair Trade Pavilion in the industry, January 15-18, 2010. This unique pavilion demonstrates the importance of Fair Trade products in the gift industry. This large selection of products promotes equitable and sustainable trading partnerships and creates opportunities to alleviate poverty. Located at the heart of Kentia Hall’s World Style Collection at the Los Angeles Convention Center, the Fair Trade Federation Pavilion will offer products from nearly 20 Fair Trade members alongside an extensive collection of ethnographic art, international handicrafts, textiles, home decor, furnishings and fashion apparel and accessories.
The California Gift Show is known for providing a global marketplace and long supporting Fair Trade Organizations, emphasized through its creation of the first designated Fair Trade Federation Pavilion in the Gift Industry. “Within Fair Trade, there are specific criteria which make an organization or a product Fair Trade,” said Carmen K. Iezzi, executive director of the Fair Trade Federation.
“Federation members undergo a rigorous and thorough evaluation process to demonstrate their work in nine Principles, so buyers know that they have Fair Trade at the heart of what they do.” Carmen K. Iezzi will be present at the California Gift Show to give an introduction to Fair Trade and the Federation. Fair Trade offerings will bring a strong sense of community and social consciousness to market. Buyers that shop the Fair Trade exhibitors in the special section have a keen interest in developing a profitable business by supporting global community enterprise. “
As consumers embrace social responsibility and global awareness, it is vital for retailers to include ethically produced merchandise in their stores,” said Pam Williams, divisional manager, World Style at California Gift Show. ”The Fair Trade Federation pavilion provides a place for retailers to find these unique Fair Trade products consumers are requesting.” Fair trade is a system of exchange that seeks to create greater equity and partnership in international trading. Fair Trade is about bringing great products, from clothing, coffee, food, furniture, home décor, and house wares, to jewelry, tea, toys, and personal accessories to the public. It strives to keep prices affordable for consumers while fairly compensating producers. And finally, Fair Trade creates huge impacts on communities. The system helps to pay children’s school fees and health cares costs, meet nutritional needs, empower women and the less fortunate, and alleviate environmental impact. Visit www.fairtradefederation.org and www.californiagiftshow.com for more information.
Los Angeles, CA (December 3, 2009)—This January, the California Gift Show and the Fair Trade Federation are joining forces again to offer the largest Fair Trade Pavilion in the industry, January 15-18, 2010. This unique pavilion demonstrates the importance of Fair Trade products in the gift industry. This large selection of products promotes equitable and sustainable trading partnerships and creates opportunities to alleviate poverty. Located at the heart of Kentia Hall’s World Style Collection at the Los Angeles Convention Center, the Fair Trade Federation Pavilion will offer products from nearly 20 Fair Trade members alongside an extensive collection of ethnographic art, international handicrafts, textiles, home decor, furnishings and fashion apparel and accessories.
The California Gift Show is known for providing a global marketplace and long supporting Fair Trade Organizations, emphasized through its creation of the first designated Fair Trade Federation Pavilion in the Gift Industry. “Within Fair Trade, there are specific criteria which make an organization or a product Fair Trade,” said Carmen K. Iezzi, executive director of the Fair Trade Federation.
“Federation members undergo a rigorous and thorough evaluation process to demonstrate their work in nine Principles, so buyers know that they have Fair Trade at the heart of what they do.” Carmen K. Iezzi will be present at the California Gift Show to give an introduction to Fair Trade and the Federation. Fair Trade offerings will bring a strong sense of community and social consciousness to market. Buyers that shop the Fair Trade exhibitors in the special section have a keen interest in developing a profitable business by supporting global community enterprise. “
As consumers embrace social responsibility and global awareness, it is vital for retailers to include ethically produced merchandise in their stores,” said Pam Williams, divisional manager, World Style at California Gift Show. ”The Fair Trade Federation pavilion provides a place for retailers to find these unique Fair Trade products consumers are requesting.” Fair trade is a system of exchange that seeks to create greater equity and partnership in international trading. Fair Trade is about bringing great products, from clothing, coffee, food, furniture, home décor, and house wares, to jewelry, tea, toys, and personal accessories to the public. It strives to keep prices affordable for consumers while fairly compensating producers. And finally, Fair Trade creates huge impacts on communities. The system helps to pay children’s school fees and health cares costs, meet nutritional needs, empower women and the less fortunate, and alleviate environmental impact. Visit www.fairtradefederation.org and www.californiagiftshow.com for more information.
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