At Dubai Festival City
My cotton silk blouse (item 1)
A close up of the gold embroidery and pattern
My black and gold sentimental traditional Pakistani dress
purchased by my late mother (item 2)
A close of of the design
Turquoise blouse and white trousers (items 3 and 4)
I wore black cotton trousers which was my item 5 of clothing.
With playwright friends supporting Fairtrade Fortnight 2019, Dubai, UAE
At the Courtyard Theatre
Hello and Assalaam Alaikum (peace and blessings) everyone,
Thanks for dropping by.
So here I am for the seventh consecutive year I'm participating in the Six Items Challenge with Labour Behind The Label.
This year the challenge commences 6th March - 18th April March 2019.
Six Items Challenge 2019
I have decided to participate and support the Six Items Challenge for the seventh 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. :)
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.
My beloved mother was a great advocate for women's empowerment and education.
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.
Apologies it was my seventh year participating in the Six Items Challenge.
During Week 4 and 5 I hosted an environmentalist activist called Isatou Cessay from Gambia. I interviewed Isatou and would like to share her story of reducing plastic pollution and writing her book 'One Plastic Bag.'
Isatou's extended interview
During my last week of the Six Items Challenge 2019 I had the privilege and honour of travelling to India and interviewing Moon Sharma of Tara Projects in Dehli.
Interview with Moon Sharma of Tara Projects - Extended version
Interview with Moon Sharma - What does fairtrade mean to you?
How to purchase ethical fairtrade products
Fairtrade Kya Hai, What is Fairtrade? Hindi/Urdu
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.
Labour Behind The Label are calling on leading UK shoe brands and retailers (Schuh, Office, Faith (Debenhams), Dr Martens, Primark, Asda, Very.co.uk
(Shop Direct), Bohoo.com, Boden, Harvey Nichols and Sports Direct) along with leading global shoe brands (Deichmann, Camper, Prada, Birkenstock, CCC, Leder & Schuh) to:
Publish the names and addresses of all their suppliers.
Report on progress in moving away from dangerous chemicals
Show that they are respecting the human rights of the people who make their shoes, ensuring fair wages and safe working conditions.
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.
If you feel inspired, sign up and take the challenge with me.
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.
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.
This month my right shoulder is still very painful and I have struggled to record this vlog and type this blog.
This month I supported fairtrade fortnight 2024 and celebrated Fairtrade's 30th Anniversary.
Here is my Easy Fairtrade Cocoa and Fairtrade Bananas Recipe which I baked for Fairtrade Fortnight 2024.
I have tried my best to translate this recipe in Urdu.
یہ ہے میری ایزی فیئرٹریڈ کوکو اور فیئر ٹریڈ کیلے کی ترکیب جسے میں نے فیئر ٹریڈ فورٹ نائٹ 2024 کے لیے پکایا تھا۔
میں نے اس ترکیب کا اردو میں ترجمہ کرنے کی پوری کوشش کی ہے۔
This month I supported fairtrade fortnight 2024 and celebrated Fairtrade's 30th Anniversary.
Sign up to get the latest on fair trade fashion.
I'm Sabeena Ahmed owner and creator of The Little Fair Trade Shop. I've been an individual associate member of the World Fair Trade Organization since 2011 and together with my artisans I bring you a bespoke collection of ethically sourced fashion & gifts.
© 2024 The Little Fair Trade Shop. “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 Little Fair Trade Shop Ltd
Registered in England & Wales
Company Number 08189489
