I'm a big fan of acrylic jewellery, but this is the first time I've seen it sold with the fairtrade label.
The necklace I've picked out here is part of a larger collection of jewellery and accessories by design duo Cassandro and Dong of Dialog, who advised their lady shoppers in a recent press release that "this season it's the jewellery that's acrylic not your nails". That's us told, then!
Each piece in their collection is made under fairtrade conditions and a percentage of sales go towards training and welfare in Borneo and Hong Kong. Available online.
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Ben & Jerry's has added another classic flavour to its family of fairtrade ice creams: Chunky Monkey has become the latest variety to be granted certification.
If you've not had the pleasure of sampling it, Chunky Monkey is a mix of cream and chocolatey bananas, with chunky walnuts thrown in too. Ben & Jerry's is now working with the El Guabo banana producers' assocation in Ecuador, whose Vice-President Silvia Arevalo said: 'thanks to this co-operative, lives have been changed. Our farmers have guaranteed European sales for their bananas at a stable price all year round. If you want a fairer world you can make it happen...by helping disadvantaged producers, buying their products and spreading the Fairtrade message.'
Great to know that my favourite aspect of summer indulgence can now be entered into with a clear(er) conscience; the only question I want to ask is where on earth are they going to fairtrade monkeys? ;-p
A few years back when I was reporting on alternative fashion, I remember a label that seemed to be a bit of an underdog at the time.
Nomads did stuff that I personally loved, but very few of my contemporaries ever appreciated. The phrase 'eco chic' would have been a contradiction in terms at the time, and I got called a 'mad hippy' for liking their floaty skirts and beaded accessories; mainly by people who never gave a second's thought to where their mass-produced 'alternative' clothes had come from. This was no more than five years ago, so it's amazing to see how much things have changed. But even back then, there was a feeling in the air that the cheap clothes we loved so much were beginning to look decidedly tacky...
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This adorable black and floral party dress has become one of the hottest and most sought-after summer pieces for 2008, and it's been hiding a secret...it's green.
In fact, everything by its designer Annie Greenabelle has an exemplary ethical record, being made from 100% organic cotton and under fairtrade conditions. Loved by Marie Claire, this is definitely a name to watch in eco fashion that's not only utterly on-trend, but affordable, too. This dress that's sure to become a classic is just £69 at Equa
Related: Pick of the best eco chic summer dresses
Tomorrow, 10th May, is World Fair Trade Day; an international celebration of Fairtrade, with events organised worldwide.
Our good friend Nigel of the eponymous Eco Store is entering into the spirit, with a free gift for anyone who spends £35 or above on the site over the coming weekend. A free fairtrade football will be yours if you place an order of this value or above, just in time for many a sunny day's kickabout in the park. While you're browsing, I'd suggest looking at the shoe section, where you'll find these classic style low-cut sneakers by Ethletic; a snip below the football theashold at £33.99.
In my quest to find the holy grail of eco-chic summer dresses, I've now scoured most of my favourite green and ethical stores, but let's not forget there are some fabulous offers to be had at The Hunger Site, including these fun and flirty wrap dresses.
The 'Zoe' dress is made from organic cotton and buying it will fund 50 cups of food for people affected by famine. Each dress is hand-sewn by women's groups in Nepal who work under a fairtrade scheme. Synthetic dyes are the biggest cause of pollution in Nepal's rivers, so these garments are coloured with 100% natural dyes, helping preserve the health of millions who live around the rivers. $46.00
Related: Pick of the best eco-chic summer dresses #1 | Pick of the best eco-chic summer dresses #2
Move over Cath Kidston; the funkiest, prettiest floral print designs are now being created by someone called Sarah Smith, and every one of her products is ethical to the core.
Sarah Smith's cute range of bags, tea towels, aprons and all manner of other items essential to domestic goddessery is made from 100% fairtrade certified cotton, so you can rest assured that your eco shopper has never seen the inside of a sweatshop. There are four different print designs to choose from, and the bags are available in either beach or shopper style. From £4.50 at Ethical Superstore
I'm a big fan of acrylic jewellery, but this is the first time I've seen it sold with the fairtrade label. 
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