On Wednesday 10th June, FAD celebrated this year’s Fairtrade Fashion Club with a special event at The Hub in Canning Town.

Pupils from the four participating schools in Newham – Cumberland, Eastlea, Royal Docks and St.Angela’s – were invited along with their families, friends and teachers to join in the numerous activities on offer.

From trying on colourful Ghanaian dress and learning to play the ‘talking drums’, to making greeting cards and accessories using Adinkra symbol stamps, there was plenty to keep guests entertained.

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Eastlea students trying on traditional Ghanaian dress

Talking drum demonstration and speech by Flame Tree's Lesley Somers

Speeches were made by John Middleton of London Thames Gateway Development Corporation (LTGDC) who expressed the importance of the project for developing skills and awareness of the retail industry, while Lesley Somers founder of The Flame Tree spoke about the cooperative in Tumu, and why fair-trade is so important in fashion.

Ethical fashion designer, Julia Smith, was also on hand to talk about her fair-trade label ‘Made in Africa’. Her organic cotton dresses are hand-printed by a cooperative in Akra, the capital of Ghana, and sold by Topshop in their London store.

Making cards using traditional Adinkra symbols

Exhibition of the Fairtrade Fashion Club in schools

Fairtrade chocolate company Divine also had a stand at the event. They work with a cooperative of cocoa farmers in Ghana called the Kaapo Kokoo to produce their delicious chocolate. Students were able to enjoy free samples, while also learning about the process the farmers go through to harvest the cocoa beans.

Making accessories from Flame Tree cooperative cloth

Divine chocolate stand

Ethical designer Julia Smith admiring students fairtrade designs

FAD would like to thank everyone involved in this special fairtrade event, especially our funders LTGDC who have made this creative exchange possible.