Fairtrade Fortnight kicks off

Yesterday was the first day of Fairtrade Fortnight, kicking off two weeks of championing all things fairly made and traded.

From 22^nd February to 7^th March the Fairtrade Foundation is adopting the theme of ‘The Big Swap’ and is trying to persuade a million and one people to swap their usual product for a Fairtrade-marked equivalent.

This might seem like a big feat but now more than 1000 products available in the UK carry the Fairtrade mark. Many food, clothing, homeware and beauty products have been given the stamp in recent years, making it so much easier to buy ethically.

Now that fairly traded items are becoming more mainstream, shoppers are realising that Fairtrade doesn’t mean compromised quality. Leading Fairtrade brands have done really well to overcome the misconception as many consumers tended to associate fair trade with ‘hippy rubbish’.

Proving that Fairtrade can be stylish, fantastic quality and desirable, here are a few of our favourite items:

Boots Extracts Honey Body Butter £7.50 (will be available in-store from Wednesday) www.boots.com

Striped resin bangle £6 www.traidcraftshop.co.uk

Rookwood Lion Tank by Emma Watson for People Tree £65 www.peopletree.co.uk

Damask Jacquard Duvet Cover £65-£95 www.johnlewis.com

Birdies t-shirt THTC £22 www.thtc.co.uk

Power Berry Facial Wash £14.50 www.nealsyardremedies.com

Fairly Dotty Knickers £12 www.lifesnotfairbutmyknickersare.com

Hotpants £25 www.topshop.com

Fruit of Love cushion cover £25 www.onevillage.org

Fairtrade Roses £37.99 www.clareflorist.co.uk

To celebrate Fairtrade Fortnight, Aura Que are also giving customers 10 per cent off all products in their Online Boutique until 7th March – this includes all sale items and the new Spring/Summer 2010 stock that will be available from 1st March 2010. They also provide free postage and packing www.auraque.com.