Usually when we hear that a product has been imported from somewhere like Thailand, our good consumer radar starts going off: “How do I know the person who made this was paid a living wage for their labour?!” we rightly ask ourselves. For the people behind TAMMACHAT Natural Textiles , though, working with women’s artisan groups from Thailand and Laos is a good news story. TAMMACHAT Natural Textiles imports fairly traded, handcrafted textiles from women artisans in Thailand and Laos, and has a mandate to educate consumers about environmental textile practices and the value of supporting fairly traded products.
This month, TAMMACHAT is collaborating with Nova Scotian dressmaker Theresa Eagles to create and sell unique jackets at the Ethical Gift Show. Following the 10 principles set out by the World Fair Trade Organization , TAMMACHAT partners with groups that are dedicated to member empowerment and eco-friendly practices, developing long-term relationships that are mutually beneficial and respectful. The co-founders of TAMMACHAT, Ellen Agger and Alleson Kase , work with women in Thailand and with Eagles to create distinctive designs to match the one-of-a-kind nature of the materials. Calling each jacket “a work of art,” the jackets will be debuted at TAMMACHAT’s Ethical Gift Show on Saturday, November 10 at the Universalist Unitarian Church , open from 10am to 5pm.
