Fair Trade Fashion Blog

April 03, 2018

Rize Up - An interview about ethical consumerism with Nattali Rize

Singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Nattali Rize made a name for herself as the front woman of Melbourne-based urban roots band, Blue King Brown. Now days, ask her where she comes from and she’ll tell you “All Directions”. With no fixed address, Nattali is now based where the music takes her, whether...

- Niko

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March 16, 2018

What is a Fair Price? (or why we’ve decided to start increasing our prices)

When we started Etiko in 2005, we were determined to do things right from the start. In 2006 we became the first non-food brand in Australia and New Zealand to be Fairtrade certified. In 2007 we became the first fashion brand in the country to become FSC (Forest Stewardship Council)...

- Niko

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February 10, 2018

One Low-Carbon Future, Thanks

Big business, small businesses, households, and government at all levels – we all have a role to play in protecting and preserving the environment. In reducing carbon emissions, everyone has a role. Here at Etiko, we are conscious of the impact of our decisions and actions on our planet. Since...

- Niko

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January 18, 2018

A Fair Go for Fair Shopping

Way back in 2006, Etiko was the FIRST non-food brand to gain Fairtrade certification in Australia and New Zealand. People who know a little about Fairtrade may associate tea, coffee and chocolate with the brand when they see the familiar blue, green and black circular logo. Thankfully these products are...

- Niko

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December 07, 2017

(Saint) Niko's Tips for Conscientious Christmas Consumption

We are in the middle of the silly season and Christmas Consumerism Craziness has possessed some people. Does it need to be this way? Who said we need to go cray-cray, spend copious amounts of money and buy tonnes of gifts….just to prove we are in the ‘spirit of Christmas’?...

- Niko

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November 15, 2017

Value for Money: At What (whose) Expense?

Are you getting ‘value’ for money when shopping? Every day we are surrounded by signs proclaiming: Bargain, SALE, 50% off. Prices are Down, Down! When someone is gleeful about buying a t-shirt for a few dollars from Company X, [Etiko readers, feel free to insert pretty much any major store...

- Niko

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October 05, 2017

Dump the Wasteful Attitude

Growing up in Melbourne, Australia in the 1960s, families took part in the weekly ritual of placing their rubbish bin on the grassed nature strip, at the edge of the road. Late in the afternoon or early evening, suburban Dads* lugged small-to-medium metal containers - complete with matching metal lid...

- Niko

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September 13, 2017

Virtue Signalling: How much do you really care?

We don't mean for this question to be an insult, but we want people to reflect on their values. With the lack of thought that goes into these events we are starting to believe it’s less about fighting for values and more about fighting for a social image. Many social...

- Niko

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July 05, 2017

Fairtrade Should Never Be Free

Each week we at Etiko get an email or phone from some well-meaning people from NGOs, Churches, Eco-Events, Film Festivals, Social Justice, School, Sports club and Vegan groups asking us to donate some of our products or to sponsor their event. In the past, we’ve generally agreed to these request...

- Niko

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April 19, 2017

Etiko Becomes B Corp Certified

At Etiko, we’re totally committed to ensuring all our products are ethical throughout every step of their lifecycles. Ensuring responsible production of our products is obviously important to us – our business was founded on the principles of aspiring to do good in the world and putting people and...

- Niko

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February 07, 2017

When “best” shouldn’t just mean “cheapest”

Forget the cheapest supermarket. Which one is the most ethical? Every so often, on the nightly current affairs TV shows or in magazines and newspapers, I see stories discussing which Aussie supermarket is the “cheapest” offering the best deals for customers. They’ll pit the big two players –...

- Niko

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January 21, 2017

Etiko: Helping Make Human Rights Fashionable

You might have heard that Etiko was honoured last month by the Australian Human Rights Commission when we won a Human Rights Award for business. It was the first time an Australian fashion brand has ever won! We’re no strangers to winning awards at Etiko in our journey over the...

- Niko

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August 24, 2016

The Politics of Fashion

Punk Or $!@*head? – Or Judging People By What They Wear "Melbourne punks harass on city streets." "Punk thugs cause mayhem." "Serial pests." "Punks looking pretty nasty." "Unsavoury characters." In a recent published article, these phrases and more are just about every other line. One after the other about these...

- Niko

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August 24, 2016

Nothing Is Certain but Death & Taxes ....Unless You're a Multinational & Or Loaded!

To be honest I can’t say that I love paying taxes (actually I'm not sure anyone does) ...but then again I can see the need to do so. After all, how else is the government going to pay for those services we consider essential, like education, health, transportation, roads, pensions,...

- Niko

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August 24, 2016

The Rise of the Conscious Consumer

I have staked my business on the belief that there are rapidly growing numbers of conscious or ethical consumers. They are concerned about the impact of their purchases not only on the environment but also on other human beings. There is even an acronym for people like this – they...

- Niko

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August 24, 2016

Etiko : 10 Years of Stirring for Fairtrade

One of the frustrating things about running a small business is the limited time you have to reflect. Every day is largely taken up dealing with phone calls, endless emails, putting together new orders, chasing up orders that should have arrived weeks before, managing cash flow, trying to decide what...

- Niko

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August 24, 2016

A Question Of Connection

There’s nothing like a strong display of people power to restore your faith in the world. Right here in Australia, dairy farmers have been doing it tough for too long. The public’s response to their recent price struggle and ad campaign reconnected us with the man and woman in the field....

- Niko

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