What Fair Trade Fashion Really Means: How Your Clothing Choices Can Change The World

Happy National Fair Trade Month! The Passion Lilie team is excited to celebrate and discuss one of our favorite topics throughout the month of October. Fair Trade Month is a 31-day campaign for shoppers, brands, grocers, farmers, and creators to raise awareness for the Fair Trade movement. Our goal during Fair Trade Month (and throughout the rest of the year!) is to make fair the new normal. We want to eliminate exploitation at every step of every supply chain so that laborers, farmers, and creators are valued for their work.

In a world where fast fashion is the norm, it’s easy to forget how our choices impact people and the planet. But every garment tells a story, and when you purchase fair trade fashion, that story is one of empowerment, ethics, and sustainability. This post explores what fair trade fashion really means, how it can change lives, and why supporting brands like Passion Lilie can make a difference.

Fair Trade Month reminds consumers that creating the world we want is within our power. When we spend our money with fair trade brands, we shift the balance of trade so that the people who make our goods get a better deal. We work toward a better world – prioritizing equality, dignity, and respect for all.

A Brief History of Fair Trade Month

Fair Trade Month, celebrated every October, shines a spotlight on the global movement dedicated to making trade more equitable. It began as part of a broader fair trade movement providing better trading conditions, ensuring fair wages, and empowering artisans within developing countries.

We trace the beginning of the fair trade movement back to 1946, when Edna Ruth Byler began selling handmade lace from Puerto Rican artisans. She recognized that the women were living in extraordinary poverty despite their hard work and the beautiful products they made. She paid them fairly for their work, laying the foundation for Ten Thousand Villages – what is now the largest fair trade retailer in North America.

The fair trade movement gained traction in the late 20th century, with organizations like the Fair Trade Federation and the World Fair Trade Organization formalizing standards. Fair trade certification began with coffee in the 1980s and now covers a wide range of products, including fashion. You can read more here.

Why is Fair Trade important for fashion?

The fashion industry is dangerously unregulated. Across the globe, many workers are subjected to unfair wages, forced labor, and unsafe working conditions. Children are often pulled into this exploitative system, working long hours instead of going to school. Supporting fair trade fashion is a direct stand against these injustices.

Supporting Artisans and Fair Wages: When you purchase fair trade fashion, you’re directly supporting artisans and workers who often come from marginalized communities. Unlike fast fashion, fair trade ensures they’re compensated fairly and treated with respect. Brands like Passion Lilie partner with skilled artisans to create beautiful, handmade garments while providing fair wages and empowering entire communities.

Ethical Labor Practices: Fair trade fashion guarantees that people making your clothes are working in safe environments, free from forced or child labor. This is critical in an industry where labor abuses are common. By choosing fair trade, you can feel confident that the people making your clothes are being treated with dignity and respect.

Environmental Protection: Fair trade fashion is inextricably linked to sustainability. Brands committed to fair trade practices often use eco-friendly materials, natural dyes, and traditional crafting methods that minimize waste and reduce pollution. For example, at Passion Lilie, we use 100% organic cotton and natural dyes, ensuring that our garments are good for the people who make them, the people who wear them, and the ecosystems that support them.

How Passion Lilie Upholds Fair Trade Principles

At Passion Lilie, fair trade is at the heart of everything we do. Here’s how we integrate these principles into our daily practices:

• Artisan Partnerships: We collaborate with artisan groups in India, ensuring they receive fair wages and work in safe conditions.
• Sustainability: From organic materials to minimizing carbon emissions, our commitment to the environment goes hand in hand with our fair trade principles.
• Transparency: We’re an open book when it comes to our supply chain, giving our customers insight into the people who make our clothes and the ethical standards we uphold. Have questions? We welcome them – holding brands accountable is part of building a fairer future!

Our dedication to fair trade isn’t just a business model; it’s a mission to create a more equitable and sustainable world.

How You Can Celebrate Fair Trade Month:

Want to get involved in Fair Trade Month? Here are a few simple ways:

1. Spread the Word:Share a photo in your favorite Passion Lilie outfit or with your go-to fair trade goods. Use hashtags like #NationalFairTradeMonth, #FindFairTrade, or #FairTradeMonth, and don’t forget to tag us @PassionLilie!
2. Support Fair Trade Brands:If you have the resources, consider supporting your favorite fair trade businesses this month. Many sustainable brands are struggling, and your purchases or social shares make a big impact.
3. Advocate for Change: Support policies that promote fair trade and ethical labor practices. And always remember to vote in elections that align with your values on fair trade and sustainability!

Fair trade fashion is more than just a trend; it’s a movement that empowers workers, protects the environment, and challenges the norms of the fashion industry. When you choose fair trade fashion, you’re making a powerful statement: that the people who make your clothes deserve respect, and the planet deserves protection. We’re proud to be part of this movement, and we’re glad you’re joining us – one garment at a time.