My name is Sophie and I am the founder of “Love Fair and Ethical” I am the driving force behind the business, and I currently manage all aspects of the business as a sole trader.

Love Fair & Ethical is a business that looks at the bigger picture. We didn’t want to be another money minded profit focused start-up but to try to make a real difference to the world, our environment and the people that live in it.

We wanted original products with a real story behind them, the sort you wouldn’t find on the high-street. So we developed the idea to source products from suppliers around the world supporting key fair trade projects whilst also considering recycling and sustainability and how as a business we could make even a small difference.

We are based in Conwy Wales, and the business is run through an on-line website we have also just started to attend local festivals and events with our pop-up shop.

Who is Involved..?

Q.Who makes your Jewellery?

We work with a number of suppliers supporting Key projects across the globe providing artisans with a fair wage, safe working conditions, access to education, medical care, opportunities to develop key skills and the chance to escape exploitation and poverty.

Our Jewellery is sourced from many countries including India, Africa, China, Thailand, and Bali & South America.

The products we sell are made using traditional methods preserving Tribal ancestral techniques and designs. Many of our items are handmade in small Home workshops, This allows us to offer a unique handmade range of products.

Asha Handicrafts have been involved in Fair Trade since 1975 basd in Mumbai, Asha in Sanskrit means ‘hope’ and Asha Handicrafts have most certainly brought hope too many offering an outlet for their handmade products whilst giving them the opportunity to develop skills, and access health and education projects that otherwise would not be available to them.

Q. How did it all begin?

I had always wanted to start my own business from a young age, in 2009 I spent 4 months travelling through Asia and visited and stayed with a hill tribe community in Thailand and I fell in love with the beautiful tribal jewellery and handicrafts they created.

I have to admit it has taken a long time to get to this point. I spent around 2 years researching products, suppliers, and business ideas, and test selling products. I also completed the enterprise course with the Princes Trust.

After realising there are so many cheap and badly made products originating from China and other less developed countries where workers are unfairly treated and paid I decided I wanted to become an Ethical Brand. The thought of being un-knowingly involved in trading practices such as this made me realise I wanted my business to be completely transparent so we could trace the product right back to the maker and be sure they were treated fairly, safely and provided with a fair decent wage. That’s when I decided to create a fair, ethical, unique Business.

Q. Why ethical jewellery?

Fair trade Fashion is about better prices, decent working conditions and fair terms of trade. Buying fair trade means workers get a better deal, they get a fair wage and work in safe conditions having the security of a fair trade agreement allows them to support themselves and their families.

Fast Fashion has been created by the want and need for ever changing styles and fabrics we stand out from High street stores because our products are handmade and created in small batches, this keeps them original, unique, timeless…

We also consciously source products made from recycled materials keeping our environmental footprint in check. We LOVE the idea of creating New from Old, up cycling and using up waste materials.