Last week we featured our Peruvian Textile Pouch on our Instagram to celebrate Textile Tuesday. Many of our friends and followers commented on it's beautiful pattern and colors, which highlight the craftsmanship found in traditional Peruvian weaving practices.

Weaving has been an important part of the culture for thousands of years, predating any sort of modern writing system. Because of this, weaving was also used as a way to keep records and send information, an important step in progressing from an oral to written culture.

Alpaca and sheep wool harvested off small Andean farms helped keep villagers warm during bitter winters, but also served as a way to illustrate and express life around them. Diego Ortiz from Peru this Week writes that patterns often illustrated things found in nature, such as the sun, the moon, mountains, or rivers.

With modern business and technology practices, the ability for farmers and artisans to support themselves through weaving has severely diminished, endangering the knowledge and skill that has been passed on through culture. Part of what makes all of us at GGP so passionate about our work is seeing the revival of indigenous practices in the products that we sell.

We work with our artisans to find ways to incorporate their practices into contemporary designs so that they can find a place in the modern market. This way, practices that have sustained communities for thousands of years can continue do to so, as well as provide an outlet for expressing traditional culture.

What do you think of indigenous art being shown in modern fashion? Tweet us at @GlobalGoods and let us know!

We post fair trade and ethical fashion news articles daily on our Twitter, but in case you've missed out here are some highlights from the past week!

July 31, 2015 - The UK has passed a law saying that all companies with a turnover of 36 million pounds ($56,207,160) or more must have a transparent supply chain. This movement will combat human trafficking and slavery in large corporations. (Fairtrade Federation)

July 31, 2015 - More and more big South African companies have switched to fair trade coffee beans! This is reportedly because fair trade "delivers high-quality African beans that offer a phenomenal in-cup taste experience, but also supports the ideals that everyone deserves a fair wage and the ability to support their families and communities." (Mail & Guardian)

July 30, 2015 - This past Thursday was World Day Against Trafficking in Persons. Take a look at this report from United Nations Special Rapporteur Maria Grazia Giammarinaro to learn more about how trafficking is caused by cycles of poverty and vulnerability. (United Nations)

July 30, 2015 - Springton Lake Middle School in Media, Pennsylvania has become the first fair trade middle school in the US! Congratulations to all students, staff, and parents! (Delaware County Daily Times)

July 30, 2015 - An Amsterdam-based company has created Fairphone, "a phone created under the best possible conditions with the fairest components." Where could the Fair Trade Movement be headed to next? (Irish Times)

Have you heard any exciting fair trade or ethical fashion news lately? Tweet us at @GlobalGoods and let us know!

Autumn is just around the corner and with it comes our fabulous new fall line! Take a look for a sneak peak at some of the fantastic merchandise we have coming.

Our products will always be fair trade and handmade, but we’re starting to add more upcycled products as well! The glitter in our forthcoming wallets, cases, and pouches below is made from shredded wrappers, giving an eco-friendly flair to modern design!

Think the items below look like leather? Think again! Our new line features travel products made from recycled tires, giving them a high-end look for less!

We’ve got some adorable new baby products coming, including this hat, mitten and booties set from Bolivia! These hand-woven items are made from alpaca fur, keeping your baby warm and comfy when it starts to get chilly!

We love our Alpaca Stuffed Animals from Peru, and we’re very excited to add some new little friends to the mix! How sweet is that koala?

Do you have a favorite product or anything you hope to see coming this fall? Tag or tweet us at @GlobalGoods and let us know!

Hi, my name is Liza and I’ve been an intern here at Global Goods Partners for the past two months. The time has flown by in a fascinating whirl of social media posting, artful Instagram arranging, and countless other jobs that make me feel excited to be a part of this brilliant organisation.

I was thrilled to represent GGP at the Women of the World festival at the Apollo Theatre, Harlem in June, selling the amazing Bracelets for Change. I later couldn’t resist buying a Th(E) Bracelet and it’s been such a conversation starter, giving me a chance to proudly talk about the organisation and the good that comes from the pretty cotton on my wrist.

Working with GGP has been such an informative experience, and I can’t believe it’s time for me to say goodbye. I’m so grateful to the team for all they’ve taught me, and I look forward to coming back to say hello and seeing what they develop in the future.

Some of the things I’ve been loving, as I pin them to our page, is the Indigo Ikat Weekender. As someone who is lucky enough to do rather a lot of travelling, this would be so useful and it’s so beautiful! I’ve also been coveting the Rolled Magazine Rod Earrings which I think look so stylish, I can’t believe they’re made out of paper! Of course there's more, as you can see from the photo above (look at that bunny!), because GGP has so many great products.

Don’t forget to take a look at our Pinterest and Instagram pages to some of what I’ve been doing for Global Goods Partners, and why not tweet @GlobalGoods to tell me your favourite products are from our store? 

When one wants to plan an outfit where do they turn for inspiration? In recent years the answer has been Pinterest, the hub of creativity that gives you a wealth of choice for what you want to wear. The selection above is perfect for a fashionable lazy day, when practicality is necessary but style desired. Of course, in true GGP fashion, everything is fair trade and ethical, meaning you can look good and feel good every day of the week. 

Don't forget you can follow Global Goods Partners for more pinspiration, and why not put together your own fabulously fair trade outfits? 

People Tree Striped Breton / IOU Project The Vegetable Wash Jeans / TOMS Grey Suede Booties / GGP Peruvian Bucket Bag / Warby Parker Reilly Sunglasses / GGP Bead and Leather Wrap Bracelet / GGP Afghan Lapis Necklace