fair-trade. not just for a fortnight, daily since 2005...

Fair-trade fortnight is upon us. A celebration, and a time for committing to a change in your buying habits. 

Chances are if you like your bananas or even your chocolate you're already making a difference. But what about your clothes or even your mp3 player?

We don't sell mp3 players because we prefer bananas over apples - it's the potassium content you know - but we do sell lots of great clothes for men and women as well as a selection of gifts that are ethically produced and wherever possible kind to the environment. In fact we've been doing this since we opened our doors almost 7 years ago. 

Take our own brand candles for example. Produced using soy wax rather then harmful petroleum based wax, they not only burn evenly, but don't give out that black smoke type thing that regular candle burners will know eventually tarnish your wallpaper. They're made in Canada through a return-to-work program that aids physically and mentally disadvantaged people. They are sea-freighted across the Atlantic to the UK and sell for £4.95. Packaged in an aluminium recyclable tin and available in 6 scents. 

Then there's the collections we carry made locally in the UK. Whether it's the stylish women's dresses made by Nancy Dee who's style is a nod to the 50s or the super soft bamboo and museling free merino by Frank & Faith. Or the pioneers of fair trade born in the acid- house era Komodo with ever so sexy and stylish pieces made for the 21st century man and women. 

Let's not forget the crop of new emerging designers that we support. Plane Clothing's carbon neutral, organic cotton raglan sweatshirts are hand printed in London with iconic images of London buildings photographed and digitally manipulated. N V London Calcutta's super soft leather bags are designed here in London and then manufactured by a cooperative in Calcutta. Outsider's mantra "We believe ethical fashion should look just like fashion" rings true in their sleek sophisticated style.

Elvis & Kresse take recycling to the max with their range of bags belts wallets and purses made from decommissioned fire hose. Look carefully and you'll see the original markings from a material that has been in service for 50 years and has been remade into lustful objects. Vegan brand Matt & Nat have for the last 10 years shown that vegan accessories can be as stylish as their leather counterparts without the toxicity of conventional leather production. 

And finally, if you remain unconvinced, come and discover for yourself at our store in Bloomsbury. Like the couple who shopped with up last weekend who we stopped going to Primark and who left with £5 organic cotton tee shirts and a pair of fabulous Monkee Genes chinos. They were genuinely surprised at the prices, bowled over by the quality and lapped up the style.

So why is that we don't sell Mp3 players? Well the company who claims to "change everything" have not changed one simple thing and that is their manufacturers treat the workers in an ethical, just way. If they make this commitment then maybe we'll think their claims to be true, and who knows we may even stock the next iGadget. Well, maybe... 

"fair-trade. not just for a fortnight, since 2005..."