WHY YOU SHOULD SUPPORT FAIR TRADE

In todays' markets most of the goods we have available are produced in large facilities in third world countries.  It's cheaper because the wages are dramatically lower and the laws are less protective, for the workers and the environment.  We're told that FREE trade will help growth in these countries, by stimulating the economy with jobs.New trade agreements like NAFTA make it easier to import from member countries, in theory giving needy countries a larger market for their goods.  But it also allows large corporations to set up facilities in underdeveloped countries without the need to comply with US environmental and humantarian laws, large scale production replaces small businesses that can't compete, and the new found revenue which was to stimulate the local economy is absorbed right back into big business and out of the area.

FAIR TRADE is meant to benefit the people and artists themselves.  It is the idea that trade can support worker's rights, protect the environment and stimulate the local economy of countries who need it.  As consumers we can make a huge difference by demanding change simply by supporting it with our purchases.  The Fair Trade Federation claims Fair Trade organizations in Europe and the US now account for some $400 million in generated business, just .01% of all global trade, but as a rapidaly growing movement could redefine world trade standards to be more socially and environmentally sound.

Given the choice, wouldn't you prefer to spend you money with companies and artists that don't exploit the vulnerable?

~One thing to be aware of when you buy FAIR TRADE goods, the term "Fair Trade" is not regulated as terms like "organic" are (to advertise as organic is must be officially certified) so there is no real control over what is actually "Fair Trade."  The best bet is to think about what you're buying and how much you're paying for it, taking into account that most items come through distributors who purchase from the crafters then pass it on to wholesalers, so there are markups along the way, sometimes 3-4 middle men.  If the price seems very low, chances are the crafters themselves aren't recieveing very much of the actual price.  If you can, buy as close to the source a possible, if you can't just keep in mind price reflects what the artists recieve~

CONSCIOUS CLOTHING

At Conscious Clothing we strive to offer the very finest boutique quality FAIR TRADE imports.  Our FAIR TRADE goods are all imported by IRON LION IMPORTS. For several years they have imported directly from the artists themselves and many of the items they custom design, so you won't see them anywhere else.  The assortment is constantly changing, as each item is made only in a limited number.  We try to offer sustainable products, favoring HEMP and RECYCLED SILK along with other ecologically sound products. We have one of the largest assortments of FAIR TRADE hemp and recycled silk goods on Ebay.  Please read a little about us on our ABOUT ME PAGE or check out our EBAY STORE, and as always feel free to email with any questions.