Introducing a Blue & Green friend: People Tree

Each day we’re introducing one, two or three of our new affiliate friends. If you click through the link in this article, the link is tracked and may generate a small payment to us. Sometimes the payment is per click, per user, per application, per accepted application or any combination of the above. That payment funds us so we can grow and encourage even more readers to live, spend and invest sustainably. Today it’s the turn of People Tree.

People Tree is a pioneer in Fair Trade, ethical and environmentally sustainable fashion. When they design their clothes, they think about sustainability and supporting local craft skills. They apply the same approach to promoting livelihoods and development in rural areas. They pay fair prices for the clothes and they pay in advance to support Fair Trade groups in buying materials and paying wages.

At People Tree they make beautiful garments that are a living blueprint for their values: people and the planet are central to everything they do. Most of their garments are hand crafted in certified organic cotton and sustainable materials, dyed using safe and natural dyes and they choose natural and recycled products over toxic, synthetic and non-biodegradable materials.

For every beautiful garment People Tree makes, there’s an equally beautiful change happening somewhere in the world. When you wear People Tree, you look good and feel good knowing your unique garment was made with respect for people and the planet.

People Tree is recognised by customers and the fashion industry as a pioneer in Fair Trade and environmentally sustainable fashion. For over twenty years, People Tree has partnered with Fair Trade artisans and farmers in the developing world to produce a collection of ethical and eco fashion. Fair Trade is about creating a new way of doing business, creating access to markets and opportunities for people who live in the developing world.

When you shop with People Tree, you can trust that your goods were made ethically and sustainably.

People Tree is a different kind of fashion business. They give customers an alternative to fast fashion. The fast fashion industry is fuelled by insatiable demand for cheap clothing and accessories. Fast fashion has a devastating impact, from sweatshops and child labour to pollution and global warming. Slow Fashion means standing up against exploitation, family separation, slum cities and pollution – all the things that make fast fashion so successful.

They make beautiful garments that are a living blueprint for their values: people and the planet are central to everything they do. Their garments are hand crafted in organic cotton and sustainable materials, using traditional skills that support rural communities.

In the past, ethical, Fair Trade, organic, sustainable were not words people think of as fashionable. People Tree has transformed ethical fashion into something that is desirable and glamorous. They design and produce high quality, fashionable products for women and men. They also collaborate with leading designers to produce unique collections.

They provide you with exclusive fashion while at the same time they improve the lives and environment of the artisans and farmers in developing countries. While many fashion brands talk about corporate social responsibility or ethical fashion, they go further. They follow the principles of Fair in every aspect of their business. All of their products are made by artisans and producers who work to Fair Trade standards. In 2012 and 2013, People Tree has been a pilot case for certification for Fair Trade Manufacture under the World Fair Trade Organisation.

Fair Trade makes a powerful difference. People Tree is helping to alleviate poverty in the world’s most marginalised communities.

People Tree developed the first integrated supply chain for organic cotton from farm to final product and they were the first organization anywhere to achieve GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) certification on a supply chain entirely in the developing world.

They also work hard to ensure that they pioneer sustainable methods of production to minimise environmental impact. Not only is most of their cotton certified organic and Fairtrade, all their clothes are dyed using safe and natural dyes. They source as many products as they can locally, choosing natural and recycled products over toxic, synthetic and non-biodegradable materials. They ship their products by sea instead of air and weave fabric by hand, reducing their impact on global warming.