Hello December…
The month of joy, being merry and happy always as it is the most wonderful time of the year. November, in all true senses was a Fair Trade month! With the WFTO Biennial Conference coming to New Delhi, India, and all the events surrounding it, this was also an exciting time for all of us at Sasha- the much awaited Fair Trade Fair, Indigo Sutra, visitors, customers and much more. We kick started the month with the following events that kept us busy and being productive.
WFTO Global Conference
The 14th Biennial WFTO Conference became held in New Delhi, India this year. The theme of this year’s conference changed into ‘Fair Trade, A Path to Sustainable Development’. More than 300 representatives of 60 nations were part of the conference. The five-day event was co-organized by WFTO & FTF-I. Click on the link below for photos of the conference.
http://ymlptrack5.com/hjhalaebbyjadawyakauee/click.php
Each day kicked off with keynote speeches given by thought and industry leaders. Vandana Shiva, world-renowned advocate for sustainable farming, was just one of these illustrious speakers, and her words were as poignant as always. The days were filled with an exciting array of workshop sessions including Ethical Design & Trend Forecasting, Refugees in Fair Trade, Tourism as an instrument to promote Fair Trade, Gender, and Living Wage – to name just a few!
There were some interesting events like the Fair Cooking campaign, Fair fashion show, Fair Tourism for the week-long affair.
Sasha participated in the Fair Fashion Show and Fair Utsav, with more than 80 stalls of handmade crafts and goods, from woven scarves to home goods, garments. Follow the link for a glimpse of Sasha at the fair Fashion Show.
https://www.facebook.com/sashafairtrade/videos/1516036711767114/
The Fair Trade Fair 2017
The grand fair that we wait to host at this time of the year and we have been organising this event for the last eleven years. The Sasha Fair Trade Fair 2017 was inaugurated on 17th November at Calcutta Ice Skating Rink.
This is an exhibition by talented artisans from all over the country. Promoting Fair Trade, handmade and empowering the producer is our mission. A treasure trove of beautiful crafts & textiles from all over India; a valuable chunk of our priceless heritage and traditions: preserved, protected, uplifted and nurtured by Sasha; presented in a contemporary avatar. A wide range of popular craft items from four corners of the country was under one roof; the Fair will give a unique chance of bringing the consumer face to face with the producer.
The new RASA range, refurbished and in an attractive garb, was launched by noted film actor June Maliah at the Fair. The Fair, which was on till November 20, 2017 showcased Freedom Fabric (Khadi) from Malkha, Quilts from Purkal Stree Shakti & Woolens from Kilmora, Pashmina from Kashmir, Tussars from Weave craft, Bhagalpur, Block prints from Jaipur, Bengal cotton from Phulia, Batik from Bengal, Dabu printing from Bagru, Rajasthan, Tie/dye from Kutch, Handwoven sarees from Telengana, Natural dyed stoles, yardages & clothing, Organic children clothing from Sun Bird, Deshaj, from Shantiniketan, Sasha’s indo-western clothing line , Kantha embroidery from Sasha. Dhokra artifacts & jewellery from Odisha, Chattisgarh, Bengal, Copper & Silver jewellery from Karnataka, Hand-embossed Shantiniketan leather from Sasha, Bamboo craft from Tripura, Natural fibre from Kadam & ESAF, Shitalpati & Patachitra from Banglanatak.com, Eco-friendly & safe toys from MESH, Kalamkari rugs from Telengana, Bamboo Moorah from Bankura, Wood & Horn items from Midnapore, Calcutta Rescue. We have featured for the first time at #SashaFairTradeFair2017 Freeset, C C Shroff center, Mumbai. We are proud to introduce Mukul Joshi with his Phad paintings for the first time.
Sasha at the Grand Bazar of Indigo Sutra
Sasha displayed its diverse collection of naturally dyed products at Indigo Sutra Grand Bazaar. By supporting local and artisanal products dyed with natural dyes, Sasha is committed to contributing to a clean and safe environment. The muted hues of natural dyes speak eloquently of aesthetics while the subtle combination of colours is in perfect harmony, Natural dyes fit into Sasha’s philosophy of Fair and Sustainable Fashion!
A day in the Spice Bageecha
We were glad to be part of the exhibition organized by Earth Day Network at Garden Reach, showcasing our wonderful handmade products.
The Fair Trade Guarantee System workshop
SSA organized an interactive session on Guarantee System with all Kolkata based WFTO guaranteed members. The session was conducted by Carol Wills, Honorary member, WFTO & member, GS committee. Ms. Wills, reiterated that the GS is meant to be and should be a sustainable development tool, to help Fair Trade organizations to promote in the marketplace. WFTO board has asked GS committee to make it simpler, straight & clarified. There has been discussion about the significant changes within GS, especially regards to the Fair wages, Gender, the standards and their representation, importance, recognition and promotion; experiences of members and the future of the Fair Trade movement. Participants, mainly WFTO members, openly shared their views and articulated their thoughts in the workshop.
Geoff White from Trade Aid, NZ visit Sasha
Geoff White, CEO, Trade Aid, along with two of their board members visited Sasha as part of their trip to India. They were delighted with the Sasha Shop, meeting our colleagues and had coffee at the in-house cafe.
Magasins du Monde visit
We were delighted to have Sophie and Pierre from our long time buyer partner Magasins Du Monde visit us and showing great interest to know the impact of their association on Sasha’s producer groups.
Paul Myers and friends visit Sasha
Mrs. Roopa Mehta, Sasha CEO was invited by Fair Trade Egypt at the IHS in Cairo (with Rudi Dalvai & Mona El Sayed). What a fitting end to the month-long celebration of Fair Trade. Paul Myers, honorary member of WFTO and a long-standing friend and well-wisher of Sasha spent a day. We were delighted to have him with us and hear some of his inspiring views. In the words of Paul Myers: “You inspire me, Sasha inspires me.”
Also as we end this newsletter for the year 2017 here’s wishing everyone a Merry Christmas and very Happy New Year 2018!!