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Faire Collection
Meet the Artisans of Faire Collection
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Fair Collection (formally Andean Collection) is a preeminent brand of accessories, with a social mission that is as inspiring as its aesthetics. Designed in New York City and handcrafted by artisans in South America, Andean Collection is adored across the globe and can be found in thousands of locations, from Paris to Poughkeepsie. Our fresh, on-trend jewelry is made from sustainably harvested seeds, while our line of hats, scarves and belts are exquisitely handmade and fair trade. As a social enterprise, we substantially reduce poverty in disadvantaged communities in South America and inspire positive change through our social programs, which are funded through your purchase. Beautiful creations should have beautiful impacts. With one life to live, we intend to make the most of it and inspire you to do the same.
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About Faire Collection
Source: https://shopfaire.com/about-us-fair-trade-luxury/our-journey-as-a-social-enterprise/
Four years after college, Amanda Judge decided to completely start over and left her job in finance to find inspiration and volunteer around Latin America. Judge, then 26, didn't know exactly what she wanted to pursue, but she hoped to bridge her financial aptitude with a desire to make a positive impact on the world. While researching how communities could sustainably bring themselves out of poverty for her masters degree in economic development, her ideal blend of interests finally clicked. Her fair trade accessories business, Faire Collection, was born. Her project entailed meeting local artisans, and Judge immediately saw the potential for their work in a world market. She spent afternoons wandering through the Ecuadorian markets and fell in love with the atmosphere. "I realized that if I could spend more time in more markets around the world and meet more artisans, it would be a really fulfilling life," Judge says. She identified the number one reason those artisan families are stuck in the cycle of poverty - lack of access to profitable markets. "They were forced to give whatever price the middleman asked," Judge says. Judge came back to the U.S. with a suitcase of jewelry she had designed with the artisans and walked around to stores in Boston's Harvard Square until she had her first client. Faire Collection supplies its fair trade products made in Ecuador & Vietnam to thousands of boutiques around the world as well as many major clients - including Tommy Bahama, Anthropologie, DKNY and J.Jill. Judge's award-winning business has 20 employees worldwide and works to provide better lives for hundreds of artisans. As a social enterprise, Faire Collection was founded to bring sustainable change to impoverished communities in South America. As a fashion brand, Faire Collection has changed the landscape of what to expect from fair trade products. -- From the Story Exchange's feature on Amanda Judge.
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Fair Trade Matters!
At Yoga Geek we feel that the principles of Fair Trade mirror the finest principles of the various Yoga and Meditation traditions and practices that we respect. Fair Trade is a global movement that began in the 40’s and exists now as various parallel initiatives throughout the world. Driven by the efforts of Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and socially motivated individuals, Fair Trade began by providing advice, assistance and support to disadvantaged producers. Fair Trade has come to be a trading partnership, based on dialogue, transparency and respect, that seeks greater equity in international trade. It contributes to sustainable development by offering better trading conditions to, and securing the rights of, marginalized producers and workers.
In keeping with the spirit of the Eight Limbs of Yoga, here are eight reasons we feel so strongly about, and are happy to be offering, Fair Trade products to our Yoga and Meditation communities:
- Fair Trade products are made in safe and healthy working conditions, where artisans receive a fair price and have a voice in how their workplace is run.
- Fair Trade embraces practices that minimize our environmental footprint.
- Artisans take pride in their work. Crafts are handmade, which translates into closer attention to detail and in the end higher-quality products
- By working through cooperative structures, Fair Trade artisans are able to invest Fair Trade earnings in their communities, improving housing, healthcare, and schools.
- Fair Trade products are unique to the places they come from and the people who make them. Farmers and artisans are involved in the entire process, and Fair Trade products reflect the people and cultures they come from.
- Fair Trade gives farmers and artisans control of their own future. They can build their own businesses, rather than working for a middleman, and the profits stay in their communities and go back into their businesses.
- By choosing Fair Trade products, you are not only accessing high quality products, you are making a difference in the lives of the people who grow the food you eat and/or the goods you use.
- Fair Trade prohibits child labor, ensures health and safety measures are established in order to avoid work-related injuries and follows International Labor Conventions (ILO). Workers are guaranteed access to healthcare and community development premiums can be used to provide greater access to /quality of healthcare and education.
