High street fashion with a conscience
Make a fashion statement while helping to improve the lives of people in impoverished communities.
That is the goal of London-based "accessories brand with a conscience" Made, which has teamed up with Aussie accessories label Mimco to create a capsule collection of jewellery.
"All Made products are designed by influential designers, then sourced and created within disadvantaged communities across East Africa," the company said.
"Following the principles of fair trade, we train local artisans in new skills, providing fair wages and support at every level.
"Via this 'trade not aid' ethos, we believe we can help break the cycle of poverty and empower the people who create our products."
The "Made for Mimco" collection was designed by Mimco in Australia and handcrafted in Made's Kenyan workshop, a spokeswoman said.
"The collection boasts stunning reinterpretations of beloved Mimco accessories using sustainable materials - all locally sourced, including recycled glass, beads, brass and bone, which is a bi-product of the food industry," she said.
"There are 12 amazing produced by Made for Mimco for their Spring/Summer 2011 jewellery collection."
Made does not focus on mass production, but rather high street fashion with a conscience.
A CNN report by correspondent David McKenzie focused on Made's commitment to fair trade and its success in London's high street fashion scene, with stockists including department store Topshop.
"Made says all of its workers are paid more than Kenya's minimum wage," McKenzie said.
"They are given health benefits and bank accounts and they work in a safe environment."
Made co-founder Gerson Barnett told McKenzie that consumers wanted to know the origins of their fashion products.
"They are very interested to know how it's being made - if it's being made in a fair way and, most importantly, an ethical way," Barnett said.
Made has collaborated with fashion savvy TV presenter Alexa Chung and Peaches Geldof on various collections in the past.
Geldof has designed two jewellery collections for the accessories company.
"I like Made because it's ethical yet it doesn't compromise the fashionable status of their collections - the handmade attention to detail adds something special to each piece," she said.
Made for Mimco is available at enex100 in Perth.
