Fair Trade World Day:
Why Ethical Fashion Can’t Wait
.
AYA | MAY 9, 2025
READING TIME: 4 minutes
By Jordy Munarriz & Lesia Tello
AYA | MAY 9, 2025
READING TIME: 4 minutes
By Jordy Munarriz & Lesia Tello
A Day That Asks Us to Look Deeper
Behind every piece of clothing is a person. Fair Trade asks us to remember that.
On the second Saturday of May each year, Fair Trade World Day invites us to look beyond price tags and trend cycles—to reflect on the human stories woven into every thread of fabric we wear.
It’s a day that demands awareness. That calls into question the systems we support every time we shop. And it challenges us to see the invisible: the workers, communities, and environments behind our clothes.
At AYA, radical sustainability isn’t just about materials. It’s about dignity. It’s about refusing to disconnect the beauty of what we wear from the lives it touches. For us, fair trade is not a label—it’s a commitment to resistance, solidarity, and ethical transformation.
What Is Fair Trade and Why It Matters
Fair trade is a global movement built on one radical idea: that people and planet should never be exploited for profit. It ensures fair wages, safe working conditions, environmental care, and long-term partnerships that empower producers—not corporations. It seeks to hold brands accountable, focusing on transparency, workers' rights, and environmental sustainability.
And yet, in fashion—one of the most labor-intensive industries on the planet—less than 2% of workers earn a living wage [1]. Most garment workers survive on wages half the amount required to meet basic needs [2]. In Bangladesh, the legal minimum wage proposed by employers in 2023 was $95/month—yet labor unions and cost-of-living studies estimate a living wage to be at least $207/month, over twice the legal offer [3].
Fair trade, then, is not a luxury. It’s a baseline for justice.
What Is Fair Trade and Why It Matters
Fair trade isn’t just an alternative—it’s a disruption of the status quo. And it works.
When garment workers are paid fairly, they can access education, healthcare, and safety. When cooperatives are supported, communities thrive, traditions are preserved, and local economies grow.
In Peru, where AYA sources its organic cotton and works with artisan partners, we’ve seen the real impact of these principles. By prioritizing transparency and direct relationships, we ensure that every piece is created not only with care—but with equity. We say no to plastic, no to exploitation, and no to rushed production cycles.
Fair trade fashion is also slower, more intentional. It values people over speed. Process over mass production. It’s about creating clothing that supports life—not just style.
By fostering long-term trade relationships, ensuring stable and fair pricing, and strengthening local organizational capacity, this model empowers marginalized producers and builds systems rooted in autonomy and resilience [10].
Why Fair Trade Is a Climate Issue Too
Justice isn’t just social—it’s environmental.
Fast fashion contributes significantly to environmental pollution. Wet processing—a critical phase in textile manufacturing that includes washing, bleaching, dyeing, and finishing—often results in the release of large quantities of untreated toxic wastewater into the environment. The fashion industry ranks among the top contributors to industrial water pollution globally, second only to tanneries and the pulp and paper sectors [11]. Built on overproduction, synthetic fibers, and chemical-heavy processes, this system prioritizes speed and scale over sustainability, leaving a devastating ecological footprint.
But here’s the truth: climate justice and labor justice are deeply intertwined. Those most impacted by environmental degradation—rural garment workers, small-scale farmers, indigenous communities—are often the least responsible for causing it.
Fair trade offers an antidote. It promotes low-impact materials, biodegradable packaging, and regenerative practices. It resists overproduction by encouraging slow fashion models. And it treats nature not as a resource to be consumed—but as a partner to be respected.
Fair Trade converges on principles such as respect for the environment as well as transparent and responsible relationships.” Because ethical trade isn’t complete if it sacrifices the planet.
A man walks through colored rainwater past a dyeing factory in Shyampur in June 2018. Picture by: CNN.
Changing Demographics and Preferences
The pandemic also highlighted shifting demographics in the fashion market. Younger consumers, particularly Gen Z and Millennials, became increasingly influential in shaping purchasing trends. Research from the Institute for Sustainable Fashion indicates that younger generations are more likely to support sustainable brands, with 83% of Millennials stating they prefer to buy from companies that share their values [7,8].
Moreover, with the rise of remote work, many consumers reported a preference for comfort over style. A study published in the Journal of Fashion Marketing and Management noted that comfort became the primary driver of clothing purchases for many consumers, with 65% prioritizing comfort in their buying decisions [9]. This trend is likely to persist as remote work becomes a more permanent aspect of many industries.
Changing Demographics and Preferences
The pandemic also highlighted shifting demographics in the fashion market. Younger consumers, particularly Gen Z and Millennials, became increasingly influential in shaping purchasing trends. Research from the Institute for Sustainable Fashion indicates that younger generations are more likely to support sustainable brands, with 83% of Millennials stating they prefer to buy from companies that share their values [7,8].
Moreover, with the rise of remote work, many consumers reported a preference for comfort over style. A study published in the Journal of Fashion Marketing and Management noted that comfort became the primary driver of clothing purchases for many consumers, with 65% prioritizing comfort in their buying decisions [9]. This trend is likely to persist as remote work becomes a more permanent aspect of many industries.
Changing Demographics and Preferences
The pandemic also highlighted shifting demographics in the fashion market. Younger consumers, particularly Gen Z and Millennials, became increasingly influential in shaping purchasing trends. Research from the Institute for Sustainable Fashion indicates that younger generations are more likely to support sustainable brands, with 83% of Millennials stating they prefer to buy from companies that share their values [7,8].
Moreover, with the rise of remote work, many consumers reported a preference for comfort over style. A study published in the Journal of Fashion Marketing and Management noted that comfort became the primary driver of clothing purchases for many consumers, with 65% prioritizing comfort in their buying decisions [9]. This trend is likely to persist as remote work becomes a more permanent aspect of many industries.
Changing Demographics and Preferences
The pandemic also highlighted shifting demographics in the fashion market. Younger consumers, particularly Gen Z and Millennials, became increasingly influential in shaping purchasing trends. Research from the Institute for Sustainable Fashion indicates that younger generations are more likely to support sustainable brands, with 83% of Millennials stating they prefer to buy from companies that share their values [7,8].
Moreover, with the rise of remote work, many consumers reported a preference for comfort over style. A study published in the Journal of Fashion Marketing and Management noted that comfort became the primary driver of clothing purchases for many consumers, with 65% prioritizing comfort in their buying decisions [9]. This trend is likely to persist as remote work becomes a more permanent aspect of many industries.
This Fair Trade Day: What Can You Do?
Fair trade is not charity—it’s justice.
You don’t need to overhaul your entire wardrobe. You just need to start where you are. Here are five simple ways to take action this Fair Trade World Day:
- Research the ethics of your favorite fashion brands. Look for transparency reports, worker pay disclosures, and certifications.
- Support fair trade or artisan brands that invest in community wellbeing—not just profit margins.
- Speak up. Use your voice on social media to raise awareness about fashion justice.
- Buy less—but better. Choose timeless pieces made with respect.
- Ask questions. When in doubt, ask who made your clothes—and under what conditions.
Fair trade isn’t about perfection. It’s about intention. About building a culture of responsibility and refusing to normalize exploitation.
Fashion worker handling harmful dyes without the necessary protection.
Final Reflection
If fashion is about expressing who we are, then what does it say when our clothes are built on injustice?
We live in a world of contradiction. A world where a t-shirt costs very little money, and we don't consider the environmental cost, stolen wages, and invisible lives. But Fair Trade World Day reminds us that change is possible—and urgently necessary.
At AYA, we believe clothing is a statement. Not just of style, but of values. We design every collection with care, traceability, and respect. Because we are not just in fashion—we are in community. In resistance. In global consciousness.
This Fair Trade Day, let’s remember: fashion isn’t neutral. It can either uphold inequality or dismantle it.
Glossarykeywords
Artisan:
A skilled craftsperson who makes products by hand, often using traditional methods passed down through generations.
Climate justice:
A term that links human rights and development to climate action, emphasizing that those least responsible for climate change often suffer its worst consequences.
Dignity:
The state of being worthy of respect. In fashion, it refers to treating workers as valuable human beings, not disposable labor.
Exploitation:
The unfair treatment or use of someone for personal gain, especially by paying them unfairly or subjecting them to unsafe conditions.
Fair trade:
A global movement and certification system that promotes ethical, transparent, and sustainable business practices for producers and workers.
Fast fashion:
A business model that produces cheap, trendy clothing at high speed, often relying on exploitative labor and environmentally harmful practices.
Living wage:
A salary that covers the basic needs of a worker and their family, including housing, food, education, and healthcare.
Overproduction:
The excessive manufacture of goods beyond demand, common in fast fashion, leading to waste and environmental damage.
Slow fashion:
A movement that promotes mindful, sustainable, and ethical production and consumption of clothing, focusing on quality over quantity.
Transparency:
The practice of openly sharing information about sourcing, production, and labor conditions to allow accountability and informed decisions.
Authors & Researchers
Jordy Munarriz
Environmental Engineer with a master's degree in renewable energy and a specialization in sustainability. Researcher and writer, he combines his technical knowledge with his passion for environmental communication, addressing topics of ecological impact and sustainable solutions in the textile industry and beyond.
Lesia Tello
Biologist and researcher specializing in biochemistry, with a master’s degree in education. Passionate about scientific inquiry, she explores the complexities of life and the processes that sustain it. Her work focuses on the intersection of science, education, and communication, making scientific knowledge accessible and impactful.
Authors & Researchers
Authors & Researchers
Jordy Munarriz
Environmental Engineer with a master's degree in renewable energy and a specialization in sustainability. Researcher and writer, he combines his technical knowledge with his passion for environmental communication, addressing topics of ecological impact and sustainable solutions in the textile industry and beyond.
Lesia Tello
Biologist and researcher specializing in biochemistry, with a master’s degree in education. Passionate about scientific inquiry, she explores the complexities of life and the processes that sustain it. Her work focuses on the intersection of science, education, and communication, making scientific knowledge accessible and impactful.
References:
[1] Berhane, H. (2024, April 26). Rethinking clothing consumption: Understanding the human cost of fast fashion. University of North Carolina. https://universitypolicy.unc.edu/news/2024/04/26/rethinking-clothing-consumption-understanding-the-human-cost-of-fast-fashion/
[2] Stringer, T., Mortimer, G., & Payne, A. R. (2020). Do ethical concerns and personal values influence the purchase intention of fast-fashion clothing?. Journal of Fashion Marketing and Management: An International Journal, 24(1), 99-120. https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/JFMM-01-2019-0011
[3] Clean Clothes Campaign. (2023, October 24). Bangladesh Minimum Wage Talks on the Brink of Failure? Employers Table an Outrageous Monthly Wage Offer of $95 as Brands Remain Silent.
[4] Helm, M. (n.d.). Beneath the seams: The human toll of fast fashion. Earth Day. Retrieved April 30, 2025, from https://www.earthday.org/beneath-the-seams-the-human-toll-of-fast-fashion/
[5] Clean Clothes Campaign. (n.d.). Gender and garment workers. CleanClothes.org. Retrieved April 30, 2025.
[6] Mukherjee, S. (2015). Environmental and social impact of fashion: Towards an eco-friendly, ethical fashion. International Journal of Interdisciplinary and Multidisciplinary Studies, 2(3), 22-35. https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/72803427.pdf
[7] Maxwell, K. (2014). The True Price Of Fast Fashion. BUST Magazine, Erişim adresi: https://bust. com/style/12307-the-true-price-of-fast-fashion.Html https://www.kellylmaxwell.com/s/Kelly-Maxwell_The-True-Price-of-Fast-Fashion_BUST-Magazine.pdf
[8] Holmes, J. (2022). SHEIN: The perfectionists of manipulation and exploitation. Critical Reflections: A Student Journal on Contemporary Sociological Issues.
[9] Chapagain, A., Hoekstra, A. Y., Savenije, H. H. G., & Gautam, R. (2005). The water footprint of cotton consumption. (Value of water research report series no 18; No. 18). Unesco-IHE Institute for Water Education. https://research.utwente.nl/en/publications/the-water-footprint-of-cotton-consumption
[10] Ruben, R. (Ed.). (2023). The impact of fair trade. BRILL.
1
[11] Fraser, E., & Van der Ven, H. (2022). Increasing transparency in global supply chains: The case of the fast fashion industry. Sustainability, 14(18), 11520. https://doi.org/10.3390/su141811520
Glossarykeywords
Bamboo:
The term "bamboo fabric" generally refers to a variety of textiles made from the bamboo plant. Most bamboo fabric produced worldwide is bamboo viscose, which is economical to produce, although it has environmental drawbacks and poses occupational hazards.
Cellulose Nanocrystals (CNCs):
They are rod-shaped nanoparticles derived from cellulose. They are biodegradable and renewable materials used in various fields, such as construction, medicine, and crude oil separation.
Circularity in the Textile Value Chain:
It seeks to design durable, recyclable, and long-lasting textiles. The goal is to create a closed-loop system where products are reused and reincorporated into production.
Cotton:
A soft white fibrous substance that surrounds the seeds of a tropical and subtropical plant and is used as textile fiber and thread for sewing.
Fertilizers:
These are nutrient-rich substances used to improve soil characteristics for better crop development. They may contain chemical additives, although there are new developments in the use of organic substances in their production.
Jute:
It is a fiber derived from the jute plant. This plant is composed of long, soft, and lustrous plant fibers that can be spun into thick, strong threads. These fibers are often used to make burlap, a thick, inexpensive material used for bags, sacks, and other industrial purposes. However, jute is a more refined version of burlap, with a softer texture and a more polished appearance.
Hemp:
Industrial hemp is used to make clothing fibers. It is the product of cultivating one of the subspecies of the hemp plant for industrial purposes.
Linen:
It is a plant fiber that comes from the plant of the same name. It is very durable and absorbent, and dries faster than cotton. Thanks to these properties, it is comfortable to wear in warm climates and is valued for making clothing.
Organic Cotton:
It is grown with natural seeds, sustainable irrigation methods, and no pesticides or other harmful chemicals are used in its cultivation. As a result, organic cotton is presented as a healthier alternative for the skin.
Pesticides:
It is a substance used to control, eliminate, repel, or prevent pests. Industry uses chemical pesticides for economic reasons.
Subsidy:
It can be defined as any government assistance or incentive, in cash or kind, towards private sectors - producers or consumers - for which the Government does not receive equivalent compensation in return.
The International Day of Zero Waste:
It is celebrated annually on March 30. The day's goal is to promote sustainable consumption and production and raise awareness about zero-waste initiatives.
UNEP:
The United Nations Environment Programme is responsible for coordinating responses to environmental problems within the United Nations system.
Water-Intensive Practices:
These are activities that consume large amounts of water. These practices can have significant environmental impacts, especially in water-scarce regions.
World Water Day:
It is an international celebration of awareness in the care and preservation of water that has been celebrated annually on March 22 since 1993.
Glossarykeywords
Artisan:
A skilled craftsperson who makes products by hand, often using traditional methods passed down through generations.
Dignity:
The state of being worthy of respect. In fashion, it refers to treating workers as valuable human beings, not disposable labor.
Exploitation:
The unfair treatment or use of someone for personal gain, especially by paying them unfairly or subjecting them to unsafe conditions.
Fair trade:
A global movement and certification system that promotes ethical, transparent, and sustainable business practices for producers and workers.
Living wage:
A salary that covers the basic needs of a worker and their family, including housing, food, education, and healthcare.
Overproduction:
The excessive manufacture of goods beyond demand, common in fast fashion, leading to waste and environmental damage.
Transparency:
The practice of openly sharing information about sourcing, production, and labor conditions to allow accountability and informed decisions.
Slow fashion:
A movement that promotes mindful, sustainable, and ethical production and consumption of clothing, focusing on quality over quantity.
Glossarykeywords
Air Dye:
A waterless dyeing technology that uses air to apply color to textiles, eliminating wastewater and reducing chemical use.
Automation in Textile Production:
The use of AI, robotics, and machine learning to improve efficiency, reduce waste, and lower production costs in the fashion industry.
Carbon Emissions:
Greenhouse gases, particularly carbon dioxide (CO₂), released by industrial processes, transportation, and manufacturing, contributing to climate change.
Circular Economy:
A production and consumption model that minimizes waste and maximizes resource efficiency by designing products for durability, reuse, repair, and recycling.
CO₂ Dyeing (DyeCoo):
A sustainable dyeing technology that uses pressurized carbon dioxide instead of water, significantly reducing water waste and pollution.
Ethical Fashion:
Clothing produced in a way that considers the welfare of workers, animals, and the environment, ensuring fair wages and responsible sourcing.
Fast Fashion:
A mass production model that delivers low-cost, trend-based clothing at high speed, often leading to waste, environmental pollution, and unethical labor practices.
GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard):
A leading certification for organic textiles that ensures responsible farming practices, sustainable processing, and fair labor conditions.
Greenwashing:
A misleading marketing strategy used by companies to appear more environmentally friendly than they actually are, often exaggerating sustainability claims.
Nanobubble Technology:
A textile treatment method that applies chemicals and dyes using microscopic bubbles, reducing water and chemical usage.
Natural Dyes:
Dyes derived from plants, minerals, or insects that are biodegradable and free from toxic chemicals, unlike synthetic dyes.
Ozone Washing:
A low-impact textile treatment that uses ozone gas instead of chemicals and water to bleach or fade denim, reducing pollution and water consumption.
Proximity Manufacturing:
The practice of producing garments close to consumer markets, reducing transportation-related carbon emissions and promoting local economies.
Recycled Polyester (rPET):
Polyester made from post-consumer plastic waste (e.g., bottles), reducing dependence on virgin petroleum-based fibers.
Slow Fashion:
A movement opposing fast fashion, focusing on sustainable, high-quality, and ethically made clothing that lasts longer.
Sustainable Fashion:
Clothing designed and manufactured with minimal environmental and social impact, using eco-friendly materials and ethical labor practices.
Upcycling:
The creative reuse of materials or textiles to create new products of equal or higher value, reducing waste without breaking down fibers.
Wastewater Recycling:
The treatment and reuse of water in textile production, minimizing freshwater consumption and reducing pollution.
Zero-Waste Design:
A fashion design approach that maximizes fabric efficiency, ensuring that no textile scraps go to waste during the cutting and sewing process.
References:
[1] Berhane, H. (2024, April 26). Rethinking clothing consumption: Understanding the human cost of fast fashion. University of North Carolina. https://universitypolicy.unc.edu/news/2024/04/26/rethinking-clothing-consumption-understanding-the-human-cost-of-fast-fashion/
[2] Stringer, T., Mortimer, G., & Payne, A. R. (2020). Do ethical concerns and personal values influence the purchase intention of fast-fashion clothing?. Journal of Fashion Marketing and Management: An International Journal, 24(1), 99-120. https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/JFMM-01-2019-0011
[3] Clean Clothes Campaign. (2023, October 24). Bangladesh Minimum Wage Talks on the Brink of Failure? Employers Table an Outrageous Monthly Wage Offer of $95 as Brands Remain Silent.
[4] Helm, M. (n.d.). Beneath the seams: The human toll of fast fashion. Earth Day. Retrieved April 30, 2025, from https://www.earthday.org/beneath-the-seams-the-human-toll-of-fast-fashion/
[5] Clean Clothes Campaign. (n.d.). Gender and garment workers. CleanClothes.org. Retrieved April 30, 2025.
[6] Mukherjee, S. (2015). Environmental and social impact of fashion: Towards an eco-friendly, ethical fashion. International Journal of Interdisciplinary and Multidisciplinary Studies, 2(3), 22-35. https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/72803427.pdf
[7] Maxwell, K. (2014). The True Price Of Fast Fashion. BUST Magazine, Erişim adresi: https://bust. com/style/12307-the-true-price-of-fast-fashion.Html https://www.kellylmaxwell.com/s/Kelly-Maxwell_The-True-Price-of-Fast-Fashion_BUST-Magazine.pdf
[8] Holmes, J. (2022). SHEIN: The perfectionists of manipulation and exploitation. Critical Reflections: A Student Journal on Contemporary Sociological Issues.
[9] Chapagain, A., Hoekstra, A. Y., Savenije, H. H. G., & Gautam, R. (2005). The water footprint of cotton consumption. (Value of water research report series no 18; No. 18). Unesco-IHE Institute for Water Education. https://research.utwente.nl/en/publications/the-water-footprint-of-cotton-consumption
[10] Ruben, R. (Ed.). (2023). The impact of fair trade. BRILL.
1
[11] Fraser, E., & Van der Ven, H. (2022). Increasing transparency in global supply chains: The case of the fast fashion industry. Sustainability, 14(18), 11520. https://doi.org/10.3390/su141811520
You don't have to put all the weight on your shoulders. Every action counts. At AYA, we fight microplastic pollution by making a 100% plastic-free catalog.
Visit Our Shop →
You May Also Like to Read...
The Battle for Mangroves and Ponds in a Changing World
In this article, we critically examine the innovations and policies emerging to conserve mangroves and ponds, an urgent and decisive need for global coordination.
The Hidden Power and Crisis of Tropical Forests
In the context of Earth Month, this article critically examines the benefits of tropical forests, the dual-edged impact of industries such as fashion and petroleum extraction.
Zero Waste Day: The Urgent Fight Against Fast Fashion
In the framework of Zero Waste Day, this article will critically examine the multifaceted waste footprint of fashion, highlighting the urgent need for systemic change.
Plant-Based Power in Sustainable Fashion
An analysis of why cotton remains so popular and how improved water management practices can mitigate the environmental footprint of textile agriculture.