Last week Sister Vineetha, Founder of Assisi Garments, India, People Tree’s biggest partner, visited us.

It’s expensive to make good clothes – decorating, stitching, hand finishing – all that quality and integrity takes time and money. People must stop fishing for fast, cheap delivery, it is unrealistic. We need to forget ‘fast fashion’ and embrace ‘slow fashion’, fashion that is more planet friendly and people friendly; crafted clothes that last and are valued not instantly consumed and thrown away. Sister Vineetha, Assisi Garments

Assisi Garments produce many of People Tree’s most beautiful organic and Fairtrade cotton dresses.

Last week, Sister Vineetha from Assisi visited PT. We have worked together for 16 years, and together we were the first to develop a Soil Association certified product made totally in a developing country. From very small beginnings, hard work and our mutual bond of friendship and respect, Assisi now employs a manufacturing workforce of 200 including underprivileged women.

As the name suggests Assisi Garments is run by an Order of Franciscan Sisters. These nuns remain true to the teaching of Saint Francis of Assisi. Born in 1181, in Italy, the son of a wealthy cloth merchant, Saint Francis dedicated his life to outcasts, nursing lepers in the lazar houses near Assisi and begging for the poor at church doors. He advocated a love of nature, teaching that, as creatures ourselves, it is the duty of men to protect and enjoy nature.

Today, the work of Saint Francis is at the heart of Assisi Garments’ mission; a social enterprise producing 100% organic and Fairtrade cotton clothing and helping the most vulnerable in society to independence. At the same time, the Order is supporting 3 schools for deaf and mute children and a social work network of 800 Sisters throughout India working to help the poorest of the poor.

When you buy:

you are participating in this ASSISI PICTURE.