What I wore this week + the post that stopped my scroll
April Capsule + some thoughts on and fair trade
If you’re here for the outfits, they are up first! But stick around for some thoughts that have been noodling in my head for a long time. It’s important and I think you’ll agree.
What I wore this week
One of the nice things about documenting a capsule wardrobe is being able to see which pieces you gravitate toward and which pieces you thought you would, but don’t. I’m really enjoying wearing all white. I’m really loving my Sand Suede Slings with my Jamie Haller slides.
And a note on these slides…the snake print I have are currently sold out, but they recently came out in 3 new colors, which are all gorgeous. The thing I love about them is they are so well designed, they are beyond comfortable, and they’re an elevated flat. I’m a person that loves a slide - I don’t love having to buckle sandals. So these are perfect. They are a splurge, but worth the investment.
I’m wearing a lot of pieces from woman-owned independent brands…Jamie Haller, Mirth, Vincent James, Na Nin, Loeffler Randal. I love that.
This Mirth button down is as close to a spring/summer must-have as I can think of. It’s so good for layering or on its own. It’s lightweight and just see through enough to make it interesting, but the box weave on it keeps you feeling covered up.
If you missed it, here’s the link to the full capsule:
April Capsule
This is going to be a long one, but I as I sit down to type this, I am really excited to share everything I’m about to share. I tend to be wordy, but I’ll try to be succinct! In this post:
Did we forget about fair trade?
This post stopped my scroll. Minna is a brand I have admired as an OG in the fair trade world. And it hit me hard because this is not the first or tenth fair trade business I’ve seen close in the past couple of years. It’s no secret all small businesses in the U.S. are being threatened…but I want to talk about a specific type of small business.
I am not sure where to start. Back when I started my business in 2016, I would say there was a strong appetite for shopping fair trade. So we’re on the same page, I’m defining fair trade products as products that are made globally by women and men who are being paid a fair wage. Consumers were being educated about how most of our clothing and accessories were manufactured by people who were being paid less than $2/day in unthinkable work environments. People were watching The True Cost and still horrified about the 2013 Rana Plaza collapse in Bangladesh, killing over 1000 garment workers. The idea of using your purchasing power to support brands who paid makers fairly was gaining traction with people who understood that the best way to make a difference in so many global issues (hunger, education, clean water, poverty, sex trafficking, etc) is to ensure people have jobs that pay fairly.
A few years later something started to shift. Hashtag “fair trade” started to get overpowered by “ethical fashion” and then “sustainable fashion.” These terms encompass more (including fair trade) and are more vague. This is when pleather started to be branded as vegan leather and marketed as sustainable. In what world is plastic, non-biodegradable leather sustainable? And this is also when every fast fashion brand started coming out with a “sustainable” line. How is it sustainable to produce more in the name of sustainability? I digress.
What does “ethical fashion” or “sustainable fashion” really mean? I think they can mean a lot of things. Good things to be sure. Things like natural fibers, handmade, small batch, etc. but fair trade seemed to get lost in the sauce.
Now here we are today. There seems to be more of a push for “made in America,” which I am all for. I love the idea of supporting your local economy and local makers. I love the idea that materials can be locally sourced. I love brands like Vincent James, Sheena Marshall, Taylor Street, Tatine, and Ozma and so many more. Love. AND I also continue to believe in the power of fair trade.
I know shit is hitting the fan in our part of the world in so many ways and maybe it’s hard to prioritize issues that aren’t right in front of us because there is so much to deal with right in front of us. We’re all doing the best we can. But it remains true that the best way to end poverty is for people to have good jobs. Especially women. Every time a brand like Minna closes I think about the impact that has on all the artisans involved. The world needs businesses like Minna to exist.
I know the women and men it would impact if my business closed and let me tell you that keeps me up at night when things are hard. In a country like Kenya, these jobs are oftentimes the difference between kids going to school and having to drop out to work…or someone getting the medical help they need or not.
I got into this business to prove that products made in Kenya are just as good as products made in Italy (or anywhere). That you don’t have to sacrifice your style to shop in alignment with your values. That our purchasing power is real power and we can change the world for the better.
I hope it’s still possible. I’m cheering for small businesses everywhere.
xo,
Abby
P.S. Here are some “fair trade” brands that I love and hope survive long enough to thrive!
Mirth (made in India and Peru) - you know my obsession
Anchal Project (made in India) - love these quilted jackets!
Laude the Label (made in India and Peru) - this dress is in my cart
Sidai Designs (made in Tanzania) - beautiful jewelry
Women Craft (made in Tanzania) - I used to design baskets with them, which are on my wall in my condo and our Bakuli bowls are made by them.
Creative Women (made in Ethiopia) - this is on my registry
Mango & Main (has products from all over the world) - shops like these make our communites cool. Great for gifts!
Ilava (made in Tanzania) - founded by my good friend. This is my favorite product of theirs currently.
SOS PJs (made in India) - cutest prints and so comfy and lightweight
Intiearth (made in Peru) - gorgeous pillows and home goods
World Finds (made in India) - colorful and fun jewelry
Tulia’s Artisan Gallery (made in Colombia) - really cool mobiles
Itza Wood (made in Guatemala) - gorgeous wooden products
Some of the items linked in this post are affiliate links where I will earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Please know I only link products I love and wear, whether I earn commission or not.
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