Kingston University students get fashionable for Fairtrade Fortnight

From drinks tasting to catwalks to clothes swaps, Kingston students revelled in a spectacular Fairtrade extravaganza. Nicole Milloy of the University's sustainability team reports on their 'Trade Fair' event.

Kingston University t-shirt made by Epona with Fairtrade cotton

A model showcases Annie Greenabelle

To celebrate the end of another successful Human Rights week at Kingston University, and as a precursor to Fairtrade Fortnight, a free Fairtrade extravaganza was held on Friday 12 February 2010.

The event, organised collectively by People & Planet society, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences Human Rights School and the university Sustainability Team, was called ‘Trade Fair!’ and had a wide range of entertainment on offer from Fairtrade rum and cola tasting to a high fashion catwalk show in which two innovative organic and Fairtrade certified designers were showcased by Student Union volunteer models.

The items modelled included beautiful evening dresses from Annie Greenabelle and yoga clothing from Gossypium (whose items were also available to purchase on the evening, and all sold out!). People & Planet support office helped by loaning the Annie Greenabelle clothing and having some great tips on how to organise the show, and both the Kingston student UN society and Aegis society were supporting the event.

After the fashion show a swap shop was held where excited participants could pick up some great new clothing and accessories for their wardrobe simply by swapping. By donating their unwanted clothes, KU students, staff and local community members received a ticket entitling them to pick up the same number of new items at the swap as they had donated. Around 30 people joined in the swapping and most items were snapped up in a matter of minutes with any un-swapped clothing being donated to local Oxfam charity shop at the end of the evening.

As Kingston is a Fairtrade status university this was a great chance to again support this worthwhile cause and raise awareness within the staff, student and local community. Fairtrade has helped many cotton growers gain a fair and guaranteed price for their produce as well as helping develop and support the local community they live in. The ‘Trade Fair!’ event was a great success and a fantastic end to Human Rights week 2010 and a welcome introduction to Fairtrade Fortnight!

See our guide to planning your own Wear Fair fashion show to promote Fairtrade cotton at your school, college or university.