News
Fair Trade Fashion Show
Posted February 8th 2010
Young Global Citizens modeled ethical fashions at the Be Yourself. Be Bold. Be the Change. Fair Trade Fashion Show.
Be Yourself. Be Bold. Be the Change.
Make a fashion statement!
In buying fair trade and locally made clothing, you are taking a stand against exploitation and child labour. Check out our Photo Gallery for the latest ethical fashions.
These outfits were featured in a Fair Trade Fashion Show event organized by MCIC for International Development Week 2010.
Mention MCIC’s Fashion Show and you’ll get 10% off your next purchase from Global Connections at The Forks and Marigold Fair Trade Clothing.
“Unfortunately, exploitation and child labour are still common practises in our world,” says Janice Hamilton, Executive Director of MCIC. “By purchasing fair trade, ethical clothing, youth can take a stand against these practices and make a positive impact on the lives of people in developing countries.”
Special thanks goes to the stores that provided us with materials for the fashion show. You can see their products in our Photo Gallery.
Six Locations around Manitoba – See website for details
Ten Thousand Villages began in 1946 when Edna Ruth Byler, a Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) worker, visited volunteers in Puerto Rico who were teaching sewing classes in an effort to help improve the lives of women living in poverty. From this trip, Edna brought several pieces of embroidery home to sell to friends and neighbours. The pieces became quite popular and she soon added needlework from Palestinian refugees and hand-carved Haitian woodenware to her inventory.
In the early 1970’s, the flourishing project moved out of Byler’s basement and became Selfhelp Crafts, an official MCC program. Thousands of loyal customers and volunteers have helped to build this program into the strong alternative trading organization that, in 1996, became known as Ten Thousand Villages. Often referred to as “Fair Trade”, our philosophy of helping to build a sustainable future is based on the principle that trade should have a conscience. Through Fair Trade, artisans receive respect, dignity and hope from working hard and earning fair value for their work.
Ten Thousand Villages is a nonprofit Fair trade Organization (FTO). FTOs are non-governmental organizations designed to benefit artisans, not to maximize profits. Ten Thousand Villages is a member of the World Fair Trade Organization (WFTO), a global network of Fair Trade Organizations. WFTO’s mission is to improve the livelihood and well-being of disadvantaged producers by linking and promoting Fair Trade organizations and speaking out for greater justice in world trade.
Shoe Doctor 893 Westminster Ave., Winnipeg MB, (204) 779-7463
Marigold Fair Trade Clothing, Seattle, WA, 1-888-205-1697
Since 2004 Marigold has been working with a women’s co-op of over 200 women in the slums of Mumbai. We first discovered the women’s co-op at the World Social Forum, an international conference of over 100,000 people representing the grassroots community from all over south east Asia and the World. At the time, the co-op was creating children’s toys but was interested into moving more into fashion. We were struck by the gorgeous hand block printed fabrics and detailed embroidery. As supporters of fair trade we had often found it difficult to find fashionable fair trade clothes in the North American Market. We saw fashionable fair trade clothing as a powerful way to help grow the fair trade movement and to help the women from the co-op craft their own economic independence. We hope that you will enjoy our fair trade fashions.
Fibres of Life is a grassroots social entrepreneur project based out of Calgary, Alberta. Credible fair trade goods are designed in partnership with World Fair Trade Organization member groups in Nepal. These products are made from mainly felted sheep’s wool and include knitwear and other expanding textile lines for women’s accessories, baby/children’s goods, and homewear. From bags with removable silk-screened art panels to organic cotton onesies to tea and bodum cozies, these products are whimsical, full of colour, originality, quality and social/environmental integrity. Products and information on the socio-economoic and environmental outcomes of this project can be found at www.fibresoflife.com. Fibres of Life is a retail and wholesale operation.
Brave New World, 141 Sherbrook St., Winnipeg, MB, (204) 774-4222
Brave New World opened for business in May of 2001. We import clothing, jewelry, gifts and accessories from around the world. We also carry locally made products. The buyer for the shop goes directly to the source, shopping in the country where things are made, and visiting factories to ensure good working conditions. Our two main suppliers are in Nepal and Thailand, and have small factories, each consisting of between 10 and 25 employees, all adults (not children) of which some are very skilled and educated tailors. All employees are paid above the minimum wage standard for each country, and the trained tailors and master cutters have quite well paying jobs by Nepal and Thailand standards. One of our main focuses as consumers is to buy from small businesses and individuals. We believe that ethical business extends much further than just fair trade practices in developing countries, and we strive to be honest, fair and moral in everything we do.
Hempyrean, 215-1 Forks Market Road, Winnipeg MB, (204) 947-5223
Global Connections, 25 Forks Market Rd., Winnipeg MB, (204) 989-2173
Global Connections is a global concept retail store, located in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Established in 1993, Global Connections has become one of Winnipeg’s most popular stores, offering hundreds of worldbeat music titles, instruments, world folk art, paintings, wooden carvings, glassware, masks, mosaic works, jewelry, women’s clothing, scarves, bags, purses, hats and shoes to local customers, as well as to tourists from around the world. Located in the historic Johnston Terminal building, at the junction of the Red and Assiniboine rivers, Global Connections operates under Fair Trade principles wherever possible and offers certified fair trade coffee, tea, chocolate, cocoa and sugars. Our attitude and merchandise mix transcend culture, generations and gender. Come see what we can offer you!
Sew DAndee, 105 Osborne St, Winnipeg MB, (204) 453-5110
Find awesome handmade goods of all kinds at Sew Dandee! From smartass all-occasion cards to duct tape wallets, upcycled bags to silk screened baby onesies to reworked clothing and jewelry of all kinds plus much more. Most items are made right here in Winnipeg alongside fantastic designers and crafters from all across Canada and a few from the US. In addition to our handmade goods we’ve got a great array of men’s and women’s gently worn consignment clothing and we can do all kinds of custom sewing and alterations. Come see us today!
Jolica Jewelry, (204)832-1561 or 1-888-456-5422 (1-888-4-JOLICA)
Jolica shares the Art of Giving by empowering women in North America and around the world. Discover our collection of unique, handcrafted pieces from around the world - from stunning sterling silver to funky glass jewelry, from supple leather handbags to colourfully embroidered totes. Every gift from the Jolica Collection supports artisans, their families and communities in developing countries around the globe! Join our team as we share these stunning creations of exotic locations in North American homes and discover the opportunity that is helping North American women achieve their dreams.
