If, like me, you're into cute, Japanese-style and folksy fashion then you'll probably have noticed that very few of your favourite garments carry the fairtrade label. Possibly the only one we're aware of that does is Onagono, and I was pleased to catch up with designer Tomo at the Fairtrade Fair yesterday.
The bright and cheery clothes looked quite out of place among the t-shirts and coffee stalls, so I had a quick browse through new collection. It includes skirts, tops of all shapes and sizes and even dresses, all in fairtrade and organic fabric. There's also a new range called 'Shining'; a casual wear collection with prints inspired by the beauty of nature. Onagono clothing is available at the Natural Store and in selected boutiques.
Fairtrade as the perfect name. And I like them - and I consume their products. But I have a few issues with them. They are not as perfect as their name implies. For instance, they do not work with the poorest of the poor, but only those organized in cooperatives. And farmers do not get the Fairtrade price, only a part of it and the rest goes to the cooperative. Don’t forget, farmers pay Fairtrade to be certified. More on my blog. But the quicker they come clean, the quicker we can address their reason for existence – making the world a better place. More on My Beef with Fairtrade at http://angryafrican.wordpress.com/2008/02/21/my-beef-with-fairtrade/