OUR STORY

At the beginning of November 2008 four local Fair Trade importers joined forces to achieve their goals of empowering individuals in the developing world to escape poverty through making design-led Fair Trade fashion, gifts and homewares accessible to the ethically conscious Brighton consumer. Two weeks, and a lot of hard work, later FAIR opened its doors to the public.

OUR PHILOSOPHY

At FAIR we want to contribute to our customers’ ability to live a thoughtful, considered lifestyle. We lovingly select beautiful, individual, quality items for you, your wardrobe, your family and your home to show that Fair Trade and ethical fashion and household goods are stylish, functional and affordable. Of course, our producers are at the heart of what we do. We support organisations working hard to generate a livelihood through the use of traditional craft and skills by either purchasing their products or working with them to create new products perfect for the UK (and FAIR!). Any brands we stock must have strong ethical credentials including Fair Trade production and the use of environmentally friendly materials. Buying Fair Trade feels fantastic and we think everyone should be able to experience that.

PEOPLE WE LOVE

Maura, Gautam and Family, Joydev, Bilash and Kirsty, Rahul and Family in Kolkata and Santiniketan, India who generously open their doors and take us from project to project. They have now hosted four of us and are amazingly hospitable every time.
Rachel Holland – Eco-stylist extraordinaire! Rachel pulled FAIR together in the brief two weeks from knowing we had the shop, to getting the doors open. E-mails with mood boards and concepts were flying back and forth at 1am in the morning. We went from doctor’s surgery to boutique in no time at all.
Steve George – who took all but a few of the beautiful photos on this site. More about Steve.
Zara Baker – who wrote such a lovely piece about us in Latest Homes
Siobhan’s family – who drive, fetch, carry & care for FAIR and its owner

LINKS WE LOVE

Lovethatstuff
Fairly Covered
Shika
Kolkata
Ethical Fashion Forum

ORGANISATIONS WE LOVE

The Brighton & Hove Fair Trade Steering Group. FAIR staff are core members and contributors. Proof enough, if it’s needed, of our passion for Fair Trade!!
The World Fair Trade Organization
The Fairtrade Foundation
British Association of Fair Trade Shops