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.

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...

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 didn't include People Treein my recent roundup of eco chic dresses for the summer, which was a bit of a crime as their Spring/Summer 08 collection really trumps all previous offerings, and the designs just keep getting better.

The waterlily dress is a good example of what they do best; it's simple, stylish and made from 100% organic, hand-woven cotton whose quality is clearly visible. The plainness of the classic shift style is offset by the soft pleats around the neckline and bold waterlily print. The dress is put together in India under fairtrade conditions, and like all People Tree garments, will be generously sized. Available from the Natural Store at £65

Hip American t-shirt label Wire & Twine has a fab range of sweatshop-free tees, each with a fresh design for men, women and kids. They remind me a lot of the Threadless t-shirts, which are hugely popular among my friends, and also a whole lot of fun.

For Earth Day, Wire & Twine have released two new eco themed designs: '50 ways to help the planet' (pictured) and Playstation; a steal at $25 each. And so you won't just be wearing your credentials on your chest, they've also detailed those planet-saving ways in this useful list.

Radishes and watercress are two tasty salad ingredients currently in season, so why not serve them in sustainable style with these recycled aluminium salad bowls from Namaste?

I'm particularly keen on the unusual, multicolour tongs, but the entire set is hand crafted, made under fairtrade conditions in India. The company that manufactures the items provide older employees with a monthly pension and give bonuses to all workers on festivals occasions - which we're told is a very rare practice.

I've just discovered Absolution Saves - a new-to-me label that's well worth checking out, as it ticks all the right green boxes and its clothes are stylish and fun.

As well as the kidswear range, there are men's and women's t-shirts, all with cool contemporary designs. All garments are designed and printed in England, sweatshop free and made with made with 100% biodegradable material, including organic cotton and super-soft bamboo. I really can't find anything bad to say about this range, only I wish it were bigger!

I love Accessorize for its cool, design-led bags, jewellery and hosiery so I was delighted to see that the brand has branched into fairtrade at last, starting with this funky, retro butterfly print tote bag and its hip cousin, the "I heart bags" bag.

The butterfly pattern looks a bit Bridget Riley to me, which gives it a bit of a 60s look. And best of all, it's made from 100% fair trade cotton, has a double handle for extra support in case you want to go on a mega-shopping spree, and costs just £12. [Via The Bag Lady]

What could be more fitting for an Earth Day party than serving your canapes on biodegradable plates made from leaves?

The all natural plates are made from sal and siali leaves, from the forests of Orissa, east India, where they have been used for centuries at festivals and weddings. Making the plates is a popular activity in these areas, with many women working on them at home for extra income; the plates are then sold through fairtrade organisations. You can buy a pack of 20 for £4.99 at Ganesha

As our friends at Catwalk Queen have already reported, tie dye is big on the catwalk this year, and the hippy-dippy style is bound to start blossoming on our streets as soon as the sun gets its hat on and spring gets going in earnest.

But if you'd rather wear the genuine article; hand-dyed garments that have been made under rigorous ethical conditions, avoid the high street and check out the new range at fairtrade label Namaste, which has really caught the major trends this season. As well as the tie dyed skirts, layered dresses and sunhats there are some really pretty floral pieces here that rival anything you'd find in Laura Ashley! It's also pleasingly affordable, with the long dresses pictured retailing at just £34.99

Spring is in the air, even if at the moment it just feels like one hour less in bed (grr) and slightly lighter evenings.

But before long those floaty, summery fabrics will be taking over your wardrobe and you'll want to accessorise accordingly, and Tearcraft have really come up trumps on that front. As well as this beautiful 'Butterfly Blooms' scarf, which features hand-applied batik printing and costs just £13, there are loads of seasonal jewellery items and other gorgeous accessories to see you through spring in style. And, of course, everything you'll find here is reliably fair trade.