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Indigenous to be first USA premium fashion brand certified Fair Trade

Indigenous to be first USA premium fashion brand certified Fair Trade

Published 10-05-10

Submitted by Indigenous Designs

While many companies strive to cut costs at every opportunity and find ever-lower sources of labor and manufacturing, one fashion company is celebrating its commitment to paying its labor force a fair wage in a time of global economic worry.

Indigenous Designs, a Northern California-based fashion design firm, is proud to announce that its product will receive a first-of-its-kind "Fair Trade" certification for apparel from FairTrade USA. The certification demonstrates that Indigenous' business practices in its production--from organic cotton fields in South America to high-fashion boutiques around the world--treat people and the planet with respect and dignity.

"We couldn't be prouder to be the first premium fashion company to get this recognition," says Scott Leonard, CEO and co-founder of Indigenous. "When we started this company 15 years ago, we set out to do something different--make beautiful, quality fashion without treating the workers who created them like they were expendable."

Indigenous' business model has focused on building cottage industry production in deeply impoverished areas in Peru, Ecuador, Guatemala and other countries around the globe, where the artisans combine centuries-old traditions and modern technology to create sustainable growth in communities, to flourish economically.

"For a lot of places in the world the apparel cycle has led to exploitation, first of the environment, then of the workers," says ID President and co-founder Matt Reynolds. "We believe there's another way, a better way, a mindful way. And our success has come from the fact that a lot of consumers are thoughtful about whether their money is going to help raise someone out of poverty or keep them down."

To celebrate their TransFair USA certification, Indigenous is hitting the road in October--which coincidentally is Fair Trade Month--taking their message and their fashions to consumers to show that beautiful clothing can come with a clean conscience. The six-city tour will team Indigenous clothing with socially conscious retailers, and fair trade fashion guru Courtney Fuchs will be joining the style session tour to present the fresh breath of the companies Fall 10 designs.

"I will be discussing current trends such as sleek and flattering styles, rich color, feminine detailing, longer length options, designs for women who want to look great and be comfortable--that's what Indigenous is to me," she says.

"For 15 years, we've been building on fair trade values, elevating artisan communities, and producing premium organic fashion for thoughtful consumers who appreciate how their money impacts people and the planet, and to work with FairTrade USA on the launch of this pilot is extremely gratifying to Matt and I ," says Leonard. "Hopefully, we can be a catalyst for change in the fashion industry," adds Reynolds.

"Indigenous Designs is paving the way for consumers to demand more information about working conditions and farms where their fashion is produced," said Paul Rice, CEO of TransFair.

"We've been fortunate that our business has come of age at a time when consumers are becoming more aware of the impacts of their purchases on people and the planet, and they appreciate knowing their mindful purchase is helping entire communities to elevate and thrive," remarks Reynolds. "We've been very successful, and our success demonstrates that you can vote with your dollars for something positive while looking fashionable in the process. We are proud to broadcast that opportunity and that's what these styles sessions are all about."

Indigenous Designs is considered a true pioneer in premium eco-sensitive and socially"“conscious apparel. Indigenous has provided Organic and fair-trade quality clothing since 1994, and has established itself as the first name premium eco fashion, employing over 1,500 highly skilled artisans in knitting groups and cooperatives. The Indigenous collection is available through 700 premium specialty boutiques nationwide. Learn more at www.facebook.com/indigenousdesigns or www.indigenousdesigns.com.

The Crossroads of Fashion and Passion: Indigenous Designs Fall Style Tour Dates
Cavallo Point:

    Date: Saturday, October 23
    Time: 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
    Location: Cavallo Point Lodge, The Lodge at Golden Gate, 601 Murray Cir., Sausalito, CA 94965

Yoga Works San Francisco:

    Date: Wednesday, October 27
    Time: 4:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
    Location: Yoga Works, 1823 Divisadero St., San Francisco, CA 94115

Yoga Works Larkspur Landing:

    Date: Thursday, October 28
    Time: 4:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
    Location: Yoga Works, 2207 Larkspur Landing Cir., Larkspur, CA 94939

Louie Permelia Coeur d'Alene:

    Date: Wednesday, November 3
    Time: 4:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
    Location: Louie Permelia,Resort Shopping Plaza, 210 Sherman #149, Coeur d'Alene, ID 83814

Louie Permelia Redmond:

    Date: Friday, November 5
    Time: 4:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
    Location: Louie Permelia, Redmond Town Center, 16519 NE 74th St., Redmond, WA 98052

Louie Permelia Seattle:

    Date: Saturday, November 6
    Time: 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
    Location: Louie Permelia, University Village, 4610 Village Ct. NE, Seattle, WA 98105

About the FairTradeUSA Apparel Program:
http://www.transfairusa.org/content/certification/apparel_program.php

Fair Trade certification for Apparel and Linens is the first social, economic and environmental standard that directly benefits the farmers who grow the cotton and the workers who sew the garments. It offers companies and consumers an unprecedented opportunity to positively impact the lives of these farmers and workers.

Fair Trade certification directly benefits people at both ends of the supply chain.

Cotton Farmers
Cotton farmers in countries like Mali and India can earn up to 30 percent more on Fair Trade sales through a guaranteed minimum price and a community development premium for collective needs such as schools and medical centers. Farmers must also meet strict environmental standards, and are prohibited from using GMOs and dangerous pesticides.

Garment Workers
Garment workers have a voice in the workplace and earn a premium of up to 10 percent of the cost of the garment for community investment or a cash bonus. Factories must meet stringent workplace requirements based on the core conventions of the International Labor Organization.

Apparel and Linen Companies
The Fair Trade Certified™ label allows companies to invest in the farmers and workers from which they source, and to effectively communicate this commitment to social and environmental responsibility to consumers at the point of purchase.

Consumers
For the first time consumers are empowered to vote with their dollars when they buy clothing and linens bearing the Fair Trade Certified™ label. For each Fair Trade purchase, cotton farmers and factory workers earn a premium to invest in social development projects and to fight poverty in their communities.

Unravel more at www.facebook.com/indigenousdesigns or www.indigenousdesigns.com.

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Indigenous Designs

Indigenous Designs

Our garments are made by the hands and hearts of artisans in many types of communities throughout the globe. By working directly with these artisans and their knitting cooperatives, a strong partnership has evolved to support their visions in managing sustainable commerce. We assist the artisans with quality control measures, sound production and planning management, as well as research and design for the local and world markets.

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