About Us
Daisy Daisy was founded in 2008 by brother and sister team Annabel and Nick. Annabel has a career background in retail and Nick is a qualified artist. Both have a passion for Fair Trade and a love of good design. They personally select all of the gorgeous items in the shop based on a combination of design merit and ethical credentials. At Daisy Daisy there is no compromise between style and ethics, you can have both! We are determined to show that Fair Trade can be fun, fashionable and affordable. This is why we purposefully try to keep our prices as reasonable as possible, after all Fair Trade extends to you the customer as well!
We source the majority of our stock from BAFTS or WFTO accredited importers. In particular we like to support those producers working to improve the lives of marginalised women. Much of our felt is made by women who have been victims of human trafficking for instance. We do also support a few smaller importers who are as yet unaccredited but who demonstrate exemplary commitment to the ideals of Fair Trade.
We are also committed to minimising our environmental impact. A great many of the items in our shop are crafted using recycled materials such as aluminium, iron, paper and silk and where possible natural dyes and chemical free processes are used. We aim to use the minimum amount of packaging and to use bio-degradeable materials where possible. The bubble wrap we use is recyclable and our packing chips are made from corn starch. We also reuse as much as we can.
From our HQ on the Isle of Wight we aim to provide you with an easy hassle-free online shopping experience, or if you are ever on the Island why not visit us at our base in the beautiful village of Godshill!
WHAT DOES ‘FAIR TRADE’ MEAN?
We regularly get asked what exactly ‘fair trade’ is, and it is very clear that many people find the term confusing. One very common conception is that it is a charity group. We thought it would be helpful to reproduce the BAFTS definition of ‘fair trade’ as it is the ideal we work to.
BAFTS say “ Fair Trade is a trading partnership based on dialogue, transparency and respect, which seeks greater equality in international trade. It contributes to sustainable development by offering better trading conditions to, and securing the rights of, marginalized producers and workers – especially in the South. Fair Trade organisations ( backed by consumers) are engaged in supporting producers, awareness raising and in campaigning for changes in the rules and practices of conventional international trade.” (www.bafts.org.uk)
I think the key point is that it is a trade arrangement rather than a charity. In order for it to provide a realistic alternative to conventional trading practice it must work as a business, the central point being that all the links in the business chain are treated fairly and not exploited.
In practice this means:
- Local skills are enhanced and respected
- Producers benefit from regular employment, a secure income and prompt payment, often in advance
- Full and fair prices are paid, middlemen are minimised allowing producers to profit directly from their work
- No child labour or sweatshops
- Employers work to improve and maintain excellent working conditions. Employees enjoy equal opportunities, good rates of pay and benefits such as holiday pay and maternity leave
- Producers who would normally be excluded from mainstream markets are able to trade with global buyers
- Trade not Aid
Many of our suppliers also fund community initiatives in the communities where there producers live - these include schools, health care facilities and well-digging projects.