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We develop Artisan Businesses through fair trade, empowering them to grow sustainably and impact their communities.
Noonday Collection is a member of the Fair Trade Federation. We are fully committed to following the principles of fair trade in how we do business. We also ensure that our Artisan Business Partners follow the principles of fair trade in how they do business.
At Noonday, our commitment to fair trade means much more than simply meeting a list of standards – it means building strong relationships with Artisan Businesses so we can make an impact together. This commitment also means actively engaging in the fair trade community and publicly affirming our commitment to fair trade.
We design our collection in collaboration with talented Artisans around the world. Artisans use indigenous materials and traditional skills to create modern, fashionable designs.
Case Study: Guatemala
In Guatemala, we partner with an Artisan Business that specializes in hand-beaded jewelry. The owner of the business is Cristobal, who in addition to running the operations of the business is also a talented designer and bead worker in his own right. To design the styles that his Artisans create for Noonday's customers, Cristobal collaborates with our design team to dream up sparkling accessories that harness his unique perspective and aesthetic. By fusing modern design and traditional Artisan techniques, we bring you pieces that capture the beauty of partnership.
We offer no-interest loans and advance payments that provide Artisan Businesses with the cash flow they need to grow sustainably.
Case Study: Rwanda
In 2011, we met a group of 11 women in Rwanda who were struggling to provide for their families. We partnered with women across the United States to send these Rwandan women to sewing school. To enable them to launch their business, we purchased their first sewing machines and offered no-interest loans. Since 2011, we have provided responsible financing that has empowered them to grow sustainably. Today, these women are proud business owners who are able to provide for their families and give back by creating dignified jobs for more women in their community.
We strive to make a long-term commitment to Artisan Entrepreneurs, empowering them to earn a sustainable income and create dignified jobs in their communities.
Case Study: Vietnam
Around the world, many talented Artisan Entrepreneurs are unable to grow their businesses because they do not have orders they can count on. We have been purchasing from an Artisan Business in Vietnam since spring 2014. The owner of the business, David, has been living and working in Vietnam since 1995. David’s business invests in developing local Artisan leaders with the goal of empowering them to independently run their operations one day. We have partnered with the business to expand its jewelry making capacity and encourage collaboration between Artisans in different villages.
We are committed to helping Artisan Businesses grow. We invest to develop their business’ capacity through design, operations and production training.
Case Study: Ethiopia
In Ethiopia, we partner with an Artisan Business that provides holistic support and job opportunities to vulnerable women involved in the sex trade, enabling them to start new lives. We have partnered with this business since 2013, originally to make intricate woven scarves. When we discovered that many of the Artisans were struggling to learn how to weave scarves by hand, we began to look for new opportunities. Beginning in 2014, we partnered with the business to provide training and capacity building, enabling them to build a jewelry workshop and to create dignified jobs for more women.
What is the Fair Trade Federation?
The Fair Trade Federation (FTF) is an organization that brings together 250 businesses and non-profits that share a commitment to the principles of fair trade.
What is Fair Trade membership?
Noonday Collection became a member of the FTF in 2014 and is actively engaged in the fair trade community in the United States and around the world.
To become a member of the FTF, Noonday Collection successfully completed an intensive screening process that required us to be fully transparent about how we work with our Artisan Business Partners. We have demonstrated how we follow the principles of fair trade and how we evaluate and monitor our Artisan Business Partners to ensure they do the same. The FTF has affirmed that we are following the principles of fair trade. Visit our FTF profile page.
What are the principles of fair trade?
The Fair Trade Federation principles have been created using the global principles of the World Fair Trade Organization as their foundation. Noonday Collection is committed to following these principles in all aspects of our business.
How do we ensure our Artisan Business Partners are fair trade?
We require the Artisan Businesses from which we source products to meet our minimum requirements in how they do business. These requirements are based on the principles of fair trade.
Many of our partners are members of the Fair Trade Federation, World Fair Trade Organization, or other fair trade membership organizations. We regularly visit these businesses to ensure they are meeting these standards, including paying fair wages, providing safe and healthy working conditions, and prohibiting child and forced labor.
What are fair wages?
We collaborate with Artisan Businesses to set prices that allow them to grow sustainably and pay Artisans fair wages. We do not set Artisan wages. Rather, we ensure that Artisans earn wages that are fair based on the cost of living in their country. A fair wage is established through a collaborative process and is mutually agreed upon through dialogue with Artisan Entrepreneurs and Artisans. This process is designed to increase Artisans’ incomes, ensure sustainable livelihoods and empower communities.
