Safia's Blog

Saf’s MBE – friends and family lunch

Member of the British Empire (or My Bloody Effort… or so they say) but even though I’m not an elite, bureaucrat with assistants running around me, or ‘born to it’ I’m sure it’s down to my bloody team. My family and friends who merge with being the People Tree team, designer friends, non-execs, trustees and the office team – all brilliant at what they do and change makers in their own right.

A trip to the Palace

Today Prince Charles gave me an MBE for Services to Fair Trade and the fashion industry. (I wore a People Tree dress of course, designed by Bora Aksu in hand-woven silk and hand embroidered at Swallows in Bangladesh and a pair of Terra Plana killer heels).

Love Fashion, Hate Sweatshops

I’ve joined People Tree Ambassador Jo Wood in supporting War on Want’s latest campaign ‘Love Fashion, Hate Sweatshops’.

An exciting new People Tree concession in Ginza, Tokyo

I was in Japan opening a new People Tree concession in Ginza, Tokyo last week. It’s on the third floor of MOSAIC department store, so if you happen to be in Tokyo have a look round. We have two other shops; one in Omotesando, and our longest standing store of 12 years in Jiyugaoka close to our office.

What’s hot at Topshop People Tree Concession?

Other than Emilie of course! I caught up with Emilie Wall who has been running the Topshop, People Tree concession for 18 months now. If you go into Topshop, Oxford Street, down the escalator and right to the bottom you can find us near the shoes at the moment. Topshop moves around the floor a bit so if you’re reading this a month after the blog is posted you may need to have a look around.

Strictly Fair Trade Dancing!

I’m so proud of our friend and People Tree Foundation Ambassador Jo Wood’s bravery on Strictly Come Dancing! She’s doing great! It must take so much courage to put those dancing shoes on and face millions of viewers every week. Don’t think I could do it!

Helen Bamber Foundation and Emma Thompson @ Ronnie Scotts

My second passion after human rights is Jazz Funk, so I was thrilled to be asked to come along and support the Helen Bamber Foundation by Stephen Brenninkmeijer, a friend and big supporter of People Tree and social business.

Safia interviews Galahad Clark – Founder of Terra Plana

Galahad, who founded the ethical shoe company Terra Plana has taken the time to answer a few of my questions. Terra Plana use innovative design and eco-friendly materials in the manufacture of their shoes – have a look at their great Autumn Winter collection.

Interview with Ms Koruna Rangsa – a tailor at the Birisiri project in Bangladesh

During my trip to Birisiri I was lucky enough to talk with some of the producers at the project. I met Ms Koruna Rangsa who works in the tailoring department and asked her a few questions about her work and family, the Garo people and climate change.

… a bumpy road to empowerment of the tribal people in Bangladesh

… there’s suddenly a burning tyre smell and black smoke. The tyre of our car is not only flat – it’s disintegrated! Amazing we didn’t come off the road and somersault off the raised road into the rice fields!