A sun-bleached collection for Fairtrade Fortnight

Ethical retailer Bishopston Trading has launched an expanded Spring Collection using a palette of lilacs, mauves and greens. The inspiration for the new season’s colours comes from the sun bleached Mediterranean coast of south-west France, taking inspiration from the stone buildings, faded shutters, the abundance of flowers, olive trees and the deep blue green waters of the fishing ports.

The clothes will be available in Bishopston stores in time for Fairtrade Fortnight which runs from February 25 - March 9.

New styles in the Collection include:

- A pretty lawn dress with dropped waist, pin tucks and side ties. The dress, which can be worn on its own or over jeans, comes in cactus or blossom and is available in sizes 10-16. It retails at £33.

- Wide leg trousers with subtle printed yoke and a side zip. Available in sage, iris or marine, the trousers are available in sizes 10-16 and retail at £30.

- A pretty organic cotton handloom top with button detail on the neckline, available in cactus or heather, available in sizes 10-16 and selling for £17.00.

As interest in ethical sourcing and fairtrade grows, people who buy from Bishopston will know exactly where their clothes were made. The company has worked for more than 20 years with weavers and tailors in the village of K. V. Kuppam in southern India where it provides employment for more than 500 people.

Carolyn Whitwell of Bishopston Trading says: “Many people are becoming increasingly concerned with where their clothes come from and the conditions in which they have been made. They are concerned about working conditions and also the environment.

“Workers at K. V. Kuppam have secure employment and work in safe conditions. Rather than having to leave their home and community to seek work, they can remain close to home. Indeed, most of the workers walk or cycle to the factory each morning.”

Bishopston Trading has five retail shops in the west of England, including Bristol, Glastonbury and Totnes. In addition, the company has stockists across the country plus a mail order catalogue.

Most fabric used by Bishopston Trading starts as a non-GM seed grown organically in the Kutch area of Gujerat in North India. The spun cotton is transported by lorry to K.V. Kuppam in Tamil Nadu where it is dyed (using non Azo dyes) and then handwoven.

The main fabrics are handloom cotton, denim and calico, certified as Fairtrade by the Fairtrade Foundation.

Find out more at Bishopstontrading.co.uk.