| Fair trade denim jeans are becoming increasingly | | | | the value of the ethically manufactured bluejeans is |
| more popular amongst shoppers worldwide. The | | | | incomparable. |
| demand for ethically produced goods has expanded | | | | Certification Is Required in Order to Bear the Label |
| greatly as publicity about working conditions at major | | | | Each item that tries to bear the mark of certification |
| manufacturers' has been exposed. What consumers | | | | has to follow an internationally agreed upon set of |
| are finding (to their delight) is that these fair traded | | | | policies in order to ensure ethical practices are |
| goods are available at competitive prices relative to | | | | understood and followed. Although it initially may |
| brand name goods. It was not until the brave | | | | seem onerous to overcome the administrative |
| efforts of a few high profile celebrities brought the | | | | hurdles, many companies are making the commitment |
| first products to market. The surprising result was | | | | to hold themselves accountable to ethical business |
| that ethically produced clothes, coffee beans, and | | | | standards. Some of the more prominent names in |
| handbags were price competitive because they did | | | | the industry are Paul Newman and Ben and Jerry's |
| not carry the burden of excessive advertising, | | | | Ice Cream, both vanguards and pioneers in their own |
| marketing and administrative expense of similar | | | | right. |
| branded goods. | | | | Fashion Conscious Shoppers Embracing New Model |
| Welcome New Entrant Fair Trade Denim Designer | | | | When given the choice between goods produced |
| Jeans | | | | under a high ethical standard and fair labor practices |
| One of the latest entrants in the market is fair trade | | | | and goods that are not, shoppers have been |
| denim designer jeans. While a fashion branded | | | | overwhelming choosing ethical goods. The reasons |
| shopper might expect to pay over one hundred | | | | are many and obvious. When price and quality are |
| dollars for a single pair of designer denim blues, a fair | | | | not substantively different, consumers |
| trade denim consumer will pay less than half that | | | | overwhelmingly prefer to spend their money in an |
| price typically. When the value of hand made | | | | equitable trade partnership rather than an abusive |
| craftsmanship and custom embroidery is factored in | | | | one. |