BEHIND THE BRAND | People Tree: Sustainable for 26 years and counting
Ever since birth in 1991, People Tree has been setting the example for sustainability in fashion. Safia Minney founded the company and fair trade was always the primary focus. They grew gradually with the years and in 2013 became the first clothing company to receive the World Fair Trade Organisation’s Fair Trade Mark. Most recently, People Tree has released a tencel collection, a fabric made from wood pulp that is also used in EKO, a lovely Cornish clothing company that we also love to have in our shop.
With Fair Trade at the heart of the brand, there are several farmers, artisans and producers involved with People Tree’s products. Some have been set up to deal with a specific issue or help a specific community, for example ‘Swallows’ which is set up in Thanapara Swallows, Bangladesh and provided opportunities for woman after all of the towns adult men were massacred during the war of independence. With People Tree’s fair trade practices, the village now has economic stability and empowered the local women.Another great example of how People Tree has been able to help communities is Kumbeshwar Technical School, which was originally established to assist the local Pode community of street sweepers - as a caste of untouchables, these people had been denied education and employment opportunities. The school, which is in Kathmandu, makes hand knitted and embroidered clothes and accessories for People Tree and now is able to hold a free nurse and primary school, offer welfare and education, and provides training for women and young men in carpet wearing, hand knitting and carpentry. You can read more about People Tree’s makers here: http://www.peopletree.co.uk/about-us/who-makes-our-products
With an amazing team behind them, People Tree are able to make beautiful and sustainable pieces for every occasion. From business to activewear and from fancy to cosy they have it covered. Not to mention a range of wonderful handmade jewellery too. Ethical bloggers such as Nat & Ceri from Eat Sleep Organic have been spotted wearing the label and the always sustainably stylish Emma Watson even collaborated with PT in 2009. A great recent collaboration has been with People Tree and the V&A which uses crisp vintage patterns and light but bright florals that are perfect for the coming Spring and Summer.
For Ula, being situation by the beautiful coast we have selected some favourites from the new collection that we just know you will adore. If the ethos wasn’t enough to clinch it, these may just do it. All images show our beautiful clothing and People Tree collection, and pop in store to see some more (Ha, that rhymed).
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