Wow -- what a week! Between the end of the semester (which isn't quite there, but almost) and serious job hunting (I highly recommend faxing your resume' to relevant companies), I haven't had much time for anything else. It's good to be back...!
sustainablog's favorite fashion mode/social entrepreneur/jack of all trades Summer Rayne Oakes "will be the lead model for the FairTrade Symposium to be held in Hong Kong during the WTO Ministerial." From her press release:
"Human rights at work, environment, and human health, particularly in developing or least developed countries have been overshadowed by global trade rules in the past," comments Oakes."The purpose of the Fair Trade Symposium and People Tree's fashion show is to demonstrate that by providing fair wage and fair prices, families and their communities are given opportunities that wouldn't otherwise be made available."Sounds like a cool event (that could definitely use a onsite blogger... hello....).
Oakes will also be representing two brands that she models and consults for under her company, SRO, LLC . These brands include Mercado Global and a high-end luxury line, AD Schwarz, which will be due out in the U.S. in 2006. She will also be bringing information on TransFair USA , the only third-party certifier of Fair Trade products in the United States. "I met the TransFair crew just the other day," comments Oakes. "Paul Rice, CEO of TransFair said it best: 'We are breaking the cycle of generational poverty. With fair trade, we can reach our hand halfway across the world and help someone put food on their tables or stay in school.' Now that is both a powerful and sobering thought."
Current market numbers for fair trade products ring in at $500 million annually and are quickly increasing between 40 and 700%, most likely due to consumer education and interest. The Fair Trade Symposium will highlight this growing interest over three days and will feature: a press conference, an opening reception, a one-day symposium, and a fair trade fashion show, all of which Oakes will be a part of. She will also be one of many independents managing a play-by-play of the happenings for the Fair Trade Symposium and Radio Hong Kong blog. Viva Fair Trade!
Categories: summer rayne oakes, fair trade, fashion, WTO, Hong Kong, event
