THE first-ever World Fair Trade tartan has been created to celebrate Scotland’s Fair Trade Nation status and will be presented to president WFTO Rudi Dalvai and the Minister for International Development, Alasdair Allan, on World Fair Trade Day on 13 May at the Fair Trade Fiesta at the Ross Band Stand.
This officially-recognised World Fair Trade tartan has been registered by the Keeper of the Scottish Tartans Register in time for World Fair Trade Day and Fair Trade Fiesta events this May, as well as being part of their crowdfunding campaign.
This new, vibrant and unique World Fair Trade tartan is the brainchild of Tania Pramschufer, director of Hand Up Events and founder of Fair Trade Fiesta and Parade.
Working in collaboration with House of Edgar, textile designers behind the tartan, the well-known and distinctive Fair Trade colours of green and blue have been replicated in the woven design.
Part of the Fair Trade Fiesta crowdfunding campaign includes a kilt reward – for a pledge of £800 – for one keen supporter who will receive an exclusive, bespoke Fair Trade tartan kilt hand-made by Cathy Hope from Edinburgh-based artisans – Braw Kilts.
Commenting on the new Fair Trade tartan, Tania Pramschufer, director of Hand Up Events, said: “It is such an incredible honour to have been able to bring the World Fair Trade tartan and kilt project to fruition. This will create a lasting legacy for Scotland as a Fair Trade Nation whilst also supporting our WFTO members around the world.
“I am also extremely happy to announce the very first World Fair Trade tartan products will be made and designed by Anak at Villageworks in Cambodia supported by Scotland’s World Fair Trade Organisation member, Eve Broads, from Fair Trade Scotland.
“This is a truly wonderful circular project, with the first new tartan bags from Anak going on sale this summer and all proceeds shared between Villageworks and Fair Trade Scotland.”
Anak, director of Villageworks, said: “We are very excited to be part of this new venture, which will see the new World Fair Trade tartan, incorporated into their extensive range of bags and accessories from Cambodia.
“Our unique designs, combined with the skills of the artisans, make the new Fair Trade tartan products a must for the ethically conscious consumer, wanting to buy into a truly sustainable supply chain.”
Eve Broadis, Fair Trade Scotland, added: “We are so proud to be launching a range of World Fair Trade tartan accessories from our Cambodian partner, Villageworks.
“The tartan range, which carries the WFTO Guarantee System logo, will be unique to Scotland. As WFTO members both organisations encompass the ten WFTO Fair Trade Principles into their daily working practice, and the consumer can be confident that their purchase contributes to sustainable livelihoods for the artisans and their families.”
Minister for International Development and Europe, Alasdair Allan, said: “The Fair Trade Fiesta provides an excellent opportunity for the people of Scotland to come together to celebrate our continued commitment to Fair Trade, whilst also raising awareness of the need to further support Fairtrade producers and help people in developing countries.
“In having our status as a Fair Trade Nation renewed, Scotland has re-affirmed itself as a caring and outward looking nation, committed to further enhancing fairness in global trade and supporting those around the world who are most in need of our help.”
Talking about the ethical responsibilities around the creation of the World Fair Trade Tartan, Nick Statt, sales manager, House of Edgar, said: “The House of Edgar is delighted to be weaving the very first World Fair Trade tartan.
“It is a wonderful tartan for Scotland and we hope it will now go on to support all WFT members worldwide.
“The fact that we were approached to collaborate on this project because of our vigilant approach to ethical supply chain and raw material sourcing is of great pride to the company and we hope to be able to help promote the WFT ethos for years to come.”
Supporting the events Rudi Dalvai, president of the WFTO, said: “I am delighted to be coming to Scotland for World Trade Fair Day to wear a kilt made in the strong and deep colours of the new Fair Trade tartan.
“The Fairtrade movement was launched more than half a century ago by people with strong social responsibility towards the weaker in the supply chain of international trade.
“At that time, there was still a low level of public awareness about the exploitation of small farmers and workforces in developing countries producing products of our daily consumption.
“Despite this, Fair Trade has become a success story, although the exploitation continues in many parts of the world.
“Today, consumers have the possibility to choose products with the guarantee that they are socially and environmentally clean.
“And now Fair Trade has also become fashionable. There is no excuse anymore!!”
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