whomadeyourpants has been featured in the Guardian Society pages – lovely!

The article titled ‘Scheme offers refugees work and produces ethical underwear‘ written by Frederika Whitehead is an in-depth piece depicting Frederika’s visit to the Southampton based cooperative, and covers some of the background to why founder, Becky John started the enterprise. 

Here’s a few snippets of the article:  

It’s a little after 11am and I am standing in the office of a Southampton factory unit with my trousers lowered while two women I have never met before discuss the design of my underwear.

“Two panels, two side seams, no top seam,” concludes Samir, an Afghan in her late 40s, looking her companion directly in the eye.

Becky Johns is English and a little younger: “Marks & Sparks spring season last year,” she says, nodding sagely. I am impressed. These women are connoisseurs of pants. They sit back and look thoughtfully at each other.

John – who previously sold corporate software for a living – says: “I’ve always loved underwear but I couldn’t bear to buy knickers from a sweatshop. I came up with the name Whomadeyourpants? and that was it – I had to do it.”

Visit the Guardian to get the full article.

whomadeyourpants? is an active member of Ethical Junction, learn more

Mimimyne, the eco online store to help children grow up green, has been made a Finalist in the Make Your Mark in the Markets Awards run by Enterprise UK. The judging ceremony is on on Wednesday 11th August in London (at Old Spitalfields Market) and Mimimyne has been selected as one of the top 14 businesses who traded at local markets (out of 197 competition entrants). This means Mimimyne is a Finalist and will be given an award on the day for Highly Commended, Runner up or Winner.

Tabitha Potts, the Director of Mimimyne, won 10 days free trading at her local market, Old Spitalfields Market, as part of the competition. She sold her organic baby and childrens clothes and eco friendly toys directly to the public and got to try out new products and display ideas. “This competition is a fantastic opportunity for me and the business, and could help propel it to the next level,” she said.

Mimimyne (Me Me Mine Ltd) is an active member of Ethical Junction, learn more

Following The Big Swish in association with www.bigwardrobe.com in January in Piccadilly Circus, we are back in London by popular demand. The Big Swish and stylist Lupe Castro invites you to Summer’s hottest
Swish Parties in London on the 10th July at Platform, London Bridge and the 13th July at the Long Acre, Covent Garden.

On the 10th July, you will enjoy complementary beauty treatments from 12pm from Dermalogica and Glam Spot Cosmetics, with scrumptious special 2‐4‐1 offers on brunch and the Platform BIG Swish™ and on the 13th July you will receive 2‐4‐1 specials on cocktails!

The rules of The Big Swish are simple:
Raid your wardrobe
Check your wardrobe for good condition clothing items (up to 15 and on hangers would be fantastic) and bring them to between the clothes drop off slot. The Big Swish team will then check them in for you and issue you with a Swish passport, to make sure the number of items you’re taking home correspond to the items you brought with you.
How many would you like?
If you just can’t help yourself and fall in love with more clothes than your clothing donation, then you can make a minimum donation of £2.50 per additional item (additional items can only be purchased after 30 minutes of the Swish to ensure all attendees have a fair chance of all items). Any clothing left at the end of the event will be donated to Cancer Research.

Entry: £5.00
Golden VIP Ticket: £20.00 This ticket comes with a goody bag, annual membership to www.bigwardrobe.com (valued at £12.00), and a five minute head start at the Swish.
Tickets for the public can be purchased from http://www.bigwardrobe.com/thebigswish/

Event date: Saturday 10th July 2010
Location: Platform Restaurant & Bar, 55‐58 Tooley Street, London, SE1 2SZ
Clothes drop off: 12.00 – 1:30
VIP’s swish entry: 1:55
General swish entry: 14.00

Event date: Tuesday 13th July 2010
Location: The Long Acre, 1‐3 Long Acre, Covent Garden, WC2E 9LH
Clothes drop off: 17.00 – 19.00
VIP’s swish entry: 19.25
General swish entry: 19.30 (strictly RSVP only)

People Tree are the award winning pioneer in Sustainable and Fair Trade fashion and sell exclusive clothing that is both beautiful and ethical.

We’re launching our Summer Sale on Friday 18 June with some amazing savings:

 Ivy Vest Top Was £12 now £8 SAVE 50%

Pom Pom Brooch – was £8 now £6 SAVE 20%

Esme Kids Polo Dress was £14 now £8 SAVE 42%

Daisy Gathered Dress was £40 now £25 SAVE 37%

Oval necklace and earrings was £12 and £35 now £10 and £25  SAVE UP TO 29%

James V neck cardigan was £38 now £28 SAVE 26%

Plus Goody Bags!   Containing £100 worth of People Tree products!  Now only £30!

People Tree is an active member of Ethical Junction, learn more

Bourgeois Boheme is an active member of Ethical Junction, learn more

Using traditional Kantha stitches, these beautiful scarves are made from recycled Indian vintage saris, put together by hand and hand stitched. Soft to the touch and full of vibrant colours, these scarves will make a great addition to your winter outfits. Scarf dimensions are approx 30(w) x 190(l) cm.

Sari Bari is a business initiative that seeks the freedom and restoration of Kolkata’s red-light areas through dignity-giving employment opportunities for women affected by the sex trade. Every scarf’s tag includes the name of the woman who made it. Every purchase participates in her freedom.

To see the range, visit  http://www.freesetbags.co.uk/cat_products.aspx?catid=7834

 The name ‘Sari Bari’ comes from two symbols. A sari is the traditional clothing worn by women in India. Saris represent the essence of womanhood. The word ‘bari’ in Bengali means ‘house’ or ‘home’. Our hope is for Sari Bari to be a safe home where women who have been exploited in the sex trade can have their dignity restored and experience new life in the making. 

Freeset is an active member of Ethical Junction, learn more

Ethical Fashion and more at Richmond’s first Eco Christmas Fair

Guest speaker Zac Goldsmith – local champion of independent retailers, organic wine and nibbles, and a special Eco Christmas raffle!

There will be a range of eco and ethical stalls including: beautifully designed organic cotton eco shopping bags Bags of Change that get you discounts when you shop with them at over 70 stores; Bourgeois Boheme’s stylish ethical vegan fashion accessories; Kenyan fairly traded sisal and sustainable soapstone products from Voodoo Blue; Bam’s bamboo clothing for men and women; Plant Your Tree gift cards, organic T-shirts and towels from One Green Earth and Green Sisters; plus sustainable stocking fillers from the Sea Shepherd marine conservation charity.

WHEN: 6.30 – 9.00pm, Wednesday 2nd December 2009

WHERE: Bourgeois Boheme Showroom, Hydrex House, Garden Road, Richmond TW9 4NR.

This event is organised by Bags of Change and hosted by Bourgeois Boheme and Voodoo Blue.

Bags of Change is an active member of Ethical Junction, learn more

 
ETHICAL FASHION SAMPLE SALE!

Come and grab a bargain in time for Christmas.
 
This weekend on Brick Lane there is an ethical fashion extravaganza taking place!

You can find some amazing ethical bargains from some of the top eco fashion labels including HOWIES and KUYICHI, with up to 80% off the retail prices.  

From men’s organic denim to fair trade t-shirts and 100% organic dresses to fair trade hand made shoes. The ethical fashion sample sale is the perfect one stop shop for all your Christmas presents.
 
The ethical fashion sample sale is taking place from Thursday 26th November until Sunday 29th November at:
 
Dray Walk Gallery (next to Big Chill Bar)
Dray Walk
The Old Truman Brewery
Brick Lane, London, E1
 
Thursday 26th November 5pm – 9pm
Friday 27th November 10am – 7pm
Saturday 28th November 10am – 6pm
Sunday 29th November 10am – 5pm  

Foundation Agency Ltd is an active member of Ethical Junction, learn more

After many months of hard work, whomadeyourpants? the hottest new worker co-op in town, is about to launch – and we’d love it if you and your friends came and celebrated with us. Supporters, suppliers, distributors and friends are all invited. Come to our premises, or join us later for a drink – or both! There will be a chance to meet the women, the volunteers and staff, and see samples at both events.

From 5 – 7

Evening drinks reception in Committee Rooms 3 and 4 at the Civic Centre. Hear speakers, met the team, see samples.. you can even place orders. There will be delicious food and drinks available.

Please feel free to share this invitation with friends, colleagues and groups you are involved in. RSVP to admin@whomadeyourpants.co.uk (cc’d) and tell us which event you’d like to come to and we will get back to you with directions and car parking information. We would really love to see everyone who has been involved so far – and those who have yet to be – there.

With best wishes,

Becky John, Founder and Managing Director

whomadeyourpants? is an active member of Ethical Junction, learn more

Anti-Slavery International this month will be holding its ‘BID FOR FREEDOM’ online auction, with profits contributing to their work against slavery.

Frank & Faith have donated some of this season collection, so go grab yourselves some fantastic Eco Fashion and help out this most worthy cause.

Due to the workings of eBay, I can’t get a link to you guys until the auction goes live this Wednesday, sorry.

Anya x

Frank & Faith is an active member of Ethical Junction, learn more