For over 30 years Equatorial has developed a network across the world to bring you the best in fabulously funky fair trade clothing, bags, crafts, textiles and loads loads more. We have long standing relationships with individuals and small family run workshops and we are proud that we have supported each other over all these years through the good times and the bad. You can see some of the collection here, everything else in our shops in Ashbourne and Matlock Bath in Derbyshire.
ETHICAL, FUN, FAIRTRADE
In April 2015 an earthquake in Nepal killed almost 9000 people, devastating the country and destroying many villages. Lots of our suppliers come from one such village and over the last decade Equatorial has been helping it to rebuild its school.
To donate to the school building project use the DONATE button. 100% of the money goes direct to the project. Here's a short film about the school:
Our Principles
We find and vet our suppliers according to our ethical policy; i.e. BUY DIRECT. Where possible, we buy from small family concerns, but in cases where we use factory/workshop outlets we inspect regularly to ensure fair working conditions.
Working in partnership. We develop long term relationships and rapport with our suppliers. This enables them to plan for the future and gives them the necessary stability they need to grow.
We pay a fair price to suppliers, and money is paid in advance to cover their production costs. Because there is no middle man, this also means that we can sell at a fair price to our customers.
We consider the environment. For example, minimising packaging. Our products are sold without any wrapping. When importing we wrap clothing in cotton rather than plastic. We use natural materials where possible.
FAIR TRADE
We pride ourselves on the fact that we have been sourcing our products direct from the producer for the past 20 years, and over time have built up a substantial network of providers around the globe.
Whenever possible, we work face-to-face with small family producers, but where we are working with small scale factory/workshop units, we personally inspect on a regular basis to ensure that working conditions are what we would expect from a fair trade importer.
In times of trouble we will do whatever we can to assist, paying higher amounts, raising money, giving extra production time etc.
Most of all we are proud to say….
"our producers work with us, not for us"
