Richard Nicoll :: stripe ruffle

This striped ruffled shirt is made of my favorite colored pin-striped cotton material. (Second only to the horizontal stripes in the style of the French Sailor tee).

The striped ruffle shirt is by Richard Nicoll for People Tree and is made by Artisan Hut in Bangladesh.

Here’s how People Tree explains their Fair Trade business model:

When you look at business like this – as a tool to support people – great things can be achieved. We actively support 50 Fair Trade producer groups, in 15 developing countries.

For example, we provide training to artisans and their organisations so they can improve their skills, and strengthen their businesses and social impact. And we regularly make 50% advance payments on orders, to help farmers and producer groups to finance Fair Trade. We often put money into local communities too, like in Kumbeshwar Technical School, Kathmandu, where we help fund education for children who would not otherwise have access to education.

We also allow enough time for production by hand, which is very rare in this world dominated by fast fashion.

Each group that we work with is unique. Many are founded specifically to deal with a crisis or social issues in a particular area or community.

So, one group promotes livelihoods, agricultural development and seed banks for indigenous Peruvians, another empowers physically disabled people in Kenya, and yet another provides vital income to hand-weavers in rural Bangladesh. Incomes are doubled on average, key changes put place help develop these communities – and their pride. And after all, we all like to be treated with respect.

Inspirational groups like these are transforming lives through Fair Trade partnerships. The fact that they provide us with beautiful alpaca knits, intricately-crafted jewellery, and delicate silks is incidental. (Well, almost! It’s what makes it sustainable and not just an intellectual pursuit.)

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