World Fair Trade Day 2008 in Tokyo, Japan.

Global Village / Fair Trade Company

Fair Trade + Ecology People Tree/ Global Village

Over 800 people came to enjoy the organic Fair Trade market, listen to an engaging line up of speakers and to watch People Tree's unique fashion show - it was the best show ever!

The event was opened by Steve Hesse, an environmental columnist at Japan Times and professor of environmental law at Chuo University. Steve also ran a workshop on Fair Trade. Miyako Maekita, author of 'Eco Shift ' , from Sustena., followed with an insightful talk about how Japanese society is moving towards eco-friendly lifestyles and business models. workshop on the Fair Trade movement in Japan was also held with pioneers from Fair Trade organisations.

This theme of changing our behaviour continued throughout the day with discussion between Safia Minney, founder of People Tree, Yoshiko Ikoma, editor of Marie Claire Japan and Noe Okamoto from the fashion brand Miharayasuhiro . Yoshiko Ikoma talked about the role of women in transforming Japanese society into a more ecologically and equitable society. She reminded the audience that as People Tree is proving you can look great whilst being environmentally friendly and supporting people in the developing world.

Two of People Trees partners from India and the Philipinnes talked about their organisations work in promoting Fair Trade and sustainability. Sofronio L. Lapitan from Saffy Handicrafts in the Philippines, and Shailesh Patel from Agrocel Industries in India showed how they promote organic and Fair Trade agriculture and handicrafts and how they use natural, biodegradable and plentiful materials. Mihoko Aida, a freelance essayist, facilitated a handicraft workshop, where she used Fair Trade hemp to show the hand skills involved in the making of handmade accessories.

The highlight of the day was People Tree's much anticipated fashion show. Artist Keeda Oikawa opened the show. The show was watched by an audience of 400 mesmerised media and people. Professional models presented People Tree's new collections made by 12 producer partners. People Tree show cased the best by combining the hand skills of People Tree's producer partners with the flair of People Tree's designers and 3 independent designers Bora Aksu, Thakoon and Richard Nicholl.

People Tree's fashion show provided the best showcase for the best Fair Trade and sustainable fashion in the world ? hand skills have never looked so good!

People Tree and Global Village's World Fair Trade Day closed with a discussion about strategies to expand the Fair Trade movement in Japan. Naoko Tanemori, from People Tree, Aya Sumita from Earth Juice (a Tokyo based Fair Trade shop), Narumi Sakuma a freelance writer with a passion for ecological fashion and Shailesh Patel from Agrocel all contributed their unique perspectives.

People Tree and Global Village would like to thank their sponsors Mitsubishi Jisho, the British embassy and MOFA, and of course all of those who came to this great event and their many supporters. The models hair was styled by Miho Matsuura from Twiggy, their makeup was done by Mariko Shimada from switch management and the show was produced by Shotaro Okutsu from Kaneko Jimusho. Thanks to Megumi Date for helping style the show.