“We love to listen to our customers and for this reason we would be delighted to hear from you if you would like a bespoke fair trade product made especially for you.”

The Six Items Challenge 2017 with LAbour Behind The Label

The Six Items Challenge 2017 with LAbour Behind The Label

Six Items Challenge with Labour Behind The Label with The Little Fair Trade Shop - March 2017

 Six Items Challenge 2017

Hello and Assalaam Alaikum (peace and blessings) everyone, Thanks for dropping by.

So here I am for the fifth consecutive year participating in the Six Items Challenge with Labour Behind The Label.

This year the challenge commences 1 March - 12 April 2017.

Six Items Challenge 2017

Everyday Hero Six Items Challenge 2017 - The Lilfairtrade Shop

For those interested I have also attached links to the Six Items Challenges 2016 and 2012 - 2015.

Six Items Challenge 2016

Six Items Challenge 2012-2015

 

VLOGS - the Six Items Challenge 2017

 

WEEK 6 - 5th April 2017

 

WEEK 5 - 29th March 2017

 

WEEK 4 - 22nd March 2017

 

WEEK 3 - 15th March 2017

 

WEEK 2 - 8th March 2017

I conducted a photoshoot Sunday, many thanks to my dear friend Mrs Saima Tahqiq for being a super star and applying my Odylique vegan, organic make up.

 

Six Items Challenge 2017 with Labour Behind The Label and The Little Fair Trade Shop - Odylique photoshoot March 2017 Dubai UAE

 

Six Items Challenge 2017 with Labour Behind The Label and The Little Fair Trade Shop - photoshoot March 2017 Dubai UAE

 My six items of clothing

Six Items Challenge 2017 with Labour Behind The Label and The Little Fair Trade Shop - photoshoot March 2017 Dubai UAE

Sparkle, sparkle and totally not me.

Six Items Challenge 2017 with Labour Behind The Label and The Little Fair Trade Shop - photoshoot March 2017 Dubai UAE

 Hand embroidered Balochi kurta designed by

Yasmeen who I interviewed below.

I interviewed Yasmeen at the Ra'ana Liaquat Craftmans Colony, Karachi, Pakistan during March 2015. Yasmeen is originally from Balochistan and is determined to raise the profile of Balochi traditional embroidery. I am honoured to support her and her business.

The Little Fair Trade Shop interviewing business woman and designer Yasmeen at the Ra'ana Liaquat Craftmans Colony, Karachi, Pakistan - March 2015

Yasmeen - entrepreneur, designer and advocate

The Little Fair Trade Shop interviewing business woman and designer Yasmeen at the Ra'ana Liaquat Craftmans Colony, Karachi, Pakistan - March 2015

Interview with Yasmeen at the RLCC, Karachi, Pakistan

 

 A wonderful and inspirational interview with Yasmeen about her work, designing and home life

 

Six Items Challenge 2017 with Labour Behind The Label and The Little Fair Trade Shop - Odylique photoshoot March 2017 Dubai UAE

Odylique vegan, organic and fairtrade make up

 

WEEK 1 - 1 March 2017...

 Why I'm here?

I have decided to participate and support the Six Items Challenge for the fifth year because I started to campaign for garment and factory workers while caring for my mother who had been diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer.

The six items challenge means I choose six items of clothing to wear for six weeks. Don't worry! This does not include under garments or exercise gear. You can wear an endless supply of these. :) 

For my challenge I've decided to wear one glamourous outfit as prescribed by my mother, a plainer everyday cotton Pakistani traditional costume and a hand embroidered cotton kameez (long blouse) and trousers designed and created by a young lady called Yasmeen.

This year I hope to design a clothes range in memory of my beautiful mother Mrs Meshar Mumtaz Bano and support fair trade certified cotton farmers and ethical producers.

It's been a difficult 9 months grieving for MUM.

I believe she would have been happy and proud of me to continue my campaigning for the millions of countless individuals producing clothes and accessories in factories and workshops around the world.

Hopefully by the end of the Six Week Challenge I would have educated a few people and raised a few pounds/dirhams.

 

What is fast fashion?

Fast fashion is a term the fashion industry uses to entice consumers to purchase new trends, products and accessories every six to eight weeks.

Most of the products are cheap, poor quality and mass produced by workers in sweat shops around the world.

Workers in many cases are under age children who endure long hours to support their families.

Many are as young as 14 are the only bread winners and often forfeit the chance of a decent education and future.

 

Photographs and What ''YOU'' can do?

Many thanks to Mrs Saima Tahqiq for taking my photographs.

Sabeena Ahmed and Saima Tahqiq for the Six Items Challenge with Labour Behind The Label - March/April 2017, Dubai UAE

 

Sabeena Ahmed (The Little Fair Trade Shop) for the Six Items Challenge with Labour Behind The Label - March/April 2017, Dubai UAE

My glamourous outfit

 Sabeena Ahmed (The Little Fair Trade Shop) for the Six Items Challenge with Labour Behind The Label - March/April 2017, Dubai UAE

This beautiful zardozi wire work and crystal beads outfit in the photograph above was chosen by my late mother for me to wear at a cousins wedding. For MUM!

I believe global goal 10 is so important for all women garment workers around the world.


Natascia Radice supports Global Goal 10 Reduced Inequalities for the Six Items Challenge 2017 with the lilfairtrade Shop Dubai UAE

Natascia Radice supports Global Goal 10 #ReducedInequalities!

 

.My gold tattoo transfer for the Six Items Challenge with Labour Behind the Label - Dubai, UAE

 

My gold tattoo transfer for the Six Items Challenge with Labour Behind the Label - Dubai, UAE

My Gold Tattoos

 

Afternoon tea with Nadiya Hussain at the Emirates Airline Literature Festival and the Six Items Challenge 2017 with Labour Behind The Label, Dubai UAE

Afternoon tea with Nadiya Hussain coincided with the challenge

 

Mrs Saima Tahqiq, Nadiya Hussain and Sabeena Ahmed at the Emirates Airline Literature Festival and the Six Items Challenge 2017 with Labour Behind the Label Dubai UAE

Afternoon Tea and Book Signing with Nadiya Hussain

 

Many thanks to my sister in Manchester for donating to a generous amount this week.

 

What can ''YOU'' do?

Every little helps and your donation will provide Labour Behind The Label the opportunity to raise awareness about the rights of factory workers and improve their wages and working conditions.

A Living Wage is a Human Right.

To read more about Labour Behind The Label and their campaigns please click on the link below.

Labour Behind The Label

If you feel inspired, sign up and take the challenge with me.

Could you wear only 6 items for Six Weeks? Join the Fashion Fast and the Six Items Challenge with Labour Behind The Label, The Lilfairtrade Shop Dubai UAE

 

 Helen Barlow Scott (One Line Studio) and Sabeena Ahmed (The Little Fair Trade Shop) during fairtrade fortnight 2017 Dubai UAE

Helen Barlow Scott and Sabeena Ahmed

WHEN YOU'RE OUT AND ABOUT BEING ETHICAL IS SO EASY

With the help of my creative director Helen we've created a little reminder of how easy it is to support fairtrade producers and be ethical at the same time.

We hope you will find it useful.

WHEN YOU'RE OUT AND ABOUT BEING ETHICAL IS SO EASY POSTER - The Little Fair Trade Shop

 

TOP 10 TIPS TO FAIR TRADE AND ETHICAL SHOPPING

1. Seek Fairtrade, organic, slave free and eco friendly labels.

 2. Support socially conscious brands.

3. Buy only what you love and be selective

and ask 'Who made my clothes?'

'Do I really need to buy it?'

4. Do your research if you can't see where the product is made the company does not want to know.

5. Think beyond the end result where did the sourcing happen and what is product made of?

6. Reduce waste by avoiding disposable products.

7. Shop locally and support independent designers and boutiques.

8. Shop vintage and upcycled for truly unique products.

9. Speak up - ask designers and shops where their products are made.

10. Make it yourself and impress your friends with your new found skills.

HAPPY SHOPPING, SEWING AND CRAFTING! :)

 

More Questions we all need to ask ourselves...

Think twice when out and about conducting that much needed retail therapy.

Do you really need that skirt, blouse, dress, shoes, bags?

Could you purchase an ethical alternative that supports artisans, doesn't exploit animals and protects the environment?

IF the answers are yes than find out where the shops are in your local area.

Do you have a creative streak?

Why not upcycle that old blouse, dress or jacket you just can't throw away. Take up sewing or enrol on a fashion design course at your local college maybe even invite a friend or two.

Alternatively, if like me you like a good bargain, how about walking down to your local charity shop, visit your local car boot sale or donate your clothing to organisations who support millions without adequate clothing.

A recent survey indicated that American consumers throw away 68 pounds of clothing in their lifetime. Clothes and accessories that take years to decompose in landfills.

Why not host ''The True Cost'' a documentary showcasing fast fashion and the treatment of garment workers around the world and organise a clothes swap.

Why wait?

Start today...inspire others and be an ethical conscious consumer, support garment workers, fairtrade and ethical producers receive a decent living wage and good working conditions.

Beautiful minds inspire others - Inspire others to ditch fast fashion and support fairtrade and ethical producers

Thank you for reading.

Warmest regards and love

Sabeena X

 

Further Reading and Links

To learn more about how your fashion choices can make a difference  please click on the links and articles below.

Everyday Hero Six Items Challenge 2017 - The Lilfairtrade Shop

Labour Behind The Label

Labour Behind The Label Living Wage Campaign

The True Cost

Fashion Revolution

The true cost of your clothes: slave wages for Bangladesh factory workers

Cambodian Garment Workers to Earn $140 a Month

What Happens When Fast Fashion Becomes Fast, Disposable and Cheap?

35 Fair Trade and Ethical Clothing Brands Betting Against Fast Fashion

Grow Your Own Clothes: Three Concepts For The Fashion Of The Future 

Fairphone2





Also in The Little Fair Trade Blog

May 2024 - Newsletter Video Blog Summary
May 2024 - Newsletter Video Blog Summary

This month my right shoulder is still very painful and I have struggled to record this vlog and type this blog.

Despite my pain I managed to edit my Fairtrade Ramadan 2024 video.

I happy to announce that I completed my 12th year participating in the Six Items Challenge 2024 with Labour Behind The Label.

I hope to upload videos of my Six Items Challenge 2024 when I feel better.

Translation in Urdu

اردو میں ترجمہ


اس مہینے میرے دائیں کندھے میں اب بھی بہت درد ہے اور میں نے اس بلاگ کو ٹائپ کرنے کے لیے بہت جدوجہد کی ہے۔

اپنی تکلیف کے باوجود میں اپنی فیئر ٹریڈ رمضان 2024 ویڈیو ایڈٹ اور پوسٹ کرنے میں کامیاب رہی 

مجھے یہ اعلان کرتے ہوئے خوشی ہو رہی ہے کہ میں نے لیبر کے پیچھے لیبر کے ساتھ سکس آئٹمز چیلنج 2024 میں حصہ لیتے ہوئے اپنا 12 واں سال مکمل کر لیا ہے۔

مجھے امید ہے کہ جب میں بہتر محسوس کرونگی  تو اپنے سکس آئٹمز چیلنج 2024 کی ویڈیوز اپ لوڈ کرونگی ۔

 

Continue Reading →

World Fair Trade Day 2024, ۲۰۲۴ ورلڈ فیئر ٹریڈ ڈے with Sabeena Z Ahmed
World Fair Trade Day 2024, ۲۰۲۴ ورلڈ فیئر ٹریڈ ڈے with Sabeena Z Ahmed

This year the World Fair Trade Day was observed on the 11th May 2024.

The World Fair Trade Organization (WFTO) theme was ''Business Revolution.''

This year I was unable to record a video in English or Urdu but did manage to handwrite a poster in English and Urdu.

Translation in Urdu

اس سال عالمی منصفانہ تجارت کا دن 11 مئی 2024 کو منایا گیا۔

ورلڈ فیئر ٹریڈ آرگنائزیشن (WFTO) کا تھیم ''بزنس ریوولوٹن'' تھا۔

اس سال میں انگریزی یا اردو میں ویڈیو ریکارڈ  نہیں کر سکی لیکن انگریزی اور اردو میں پوسٹر ہاتھ سے لکھنے میں کامیاب رہی۔

 

Continue Reading →

World Cancer Day 2024 ورلڈ کینسر ڈے (Engish and Urdu) with Sabeena Z Ahmed
World Cancer Day 2024 ورلڈ کینسر ڈے (Engish and Urdu) with Sabeena Z Ahmed

This World Cancer Day 2024 I  hand wrote the poster in Urdu and English and posted it to my Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn Profiles.

I attended a sisters only art therapy workshop with my sister Irem, this workshop was organised by The Muslim Bereavement Support Service.

Due to my own going shoulder issues I have struggled with my right shoulder to type this blog has been painful to type.

اس ورلڈ کینسر ڈے 2024 میں میں نے ہاتھ سے پوسٹر اردو اور انگریزی میں لکھا اور اسے اپنے X، Facebook اور LinkedIn پروفائلز پر پوسٹ کیا۔

میں نے اپنی بہن ارم کے ساتھ ایک سسٹرس اونلی آرٹ تھراپی ورکشاپ میں شرکت کی، یہ ورکشاپ دی مسلم بیریومنٹ سپورٹ سروس نے منعقد کی تھی۔

میرے اپنے کندھے کے مسائل کی وجہ سے میں نے اپنے دائیں کندھے سے ٹائپ کرنے کے لئے جدوجہد کی ہے اس بلاگ کو ٹائپ کرنا تکلیف دہ رہا ہے۔

Continue Reading →

 

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