Decision Time
Remould – Fair Trade Clothing evolved slowly over the period of a year, Cathy began by selling second hand clothing which she recycled and redesigned in a small unit within New Mills Indoor Market. Her recycled range was popular but there came a time when supply no longer met the demand from local people. Cathy wanted to offer a range of clothing in a range of different sizes but did not want to buy unethical clothing to stock in her shop.
After several months researching the different Fair Trade and ethically minded suppliers she refitted her old shop with the help of her husband and began to sell Namaste clothing and accessories. Cathy continues “as an ethically minded consumer myself, I could see that there was a need for fairly traded goods in the High Peak area, all the items I now stock are approved by BAFTS (British Association of Fair Trade Shops).”
Cathy also joined the New Mills Fairtrade town steering group which is currently working towards Fairtrade Town status for New Mills. “It was important to get involved in the local community and to try to meet the shopping requirements of local people. My involvement with the group has allowed me to research local interest in Fair Trade initiatives and has also provided me with valuable insight and support.”
Branching Out
After 6 months of testing out the market to see what her customers wanted and how best to expand Cathy decided to branch out to trading online, her husband was able to build and run a website for her “the support of my husband and family has been fantastic, without them I would never have got started let alone be in the position to expand”. The website www.remouldclothing.co.uk is constantly being developed and improved. Cathy has also been able to move to a larger shop with ample display space and fantastic areas for window displays which she finds helps to draw the customers in.
When refitting her new shop Cathy continued to support the environment by fitting second hand display rails and using recycled wood for the sides of her changing room, “even the paint I used to decorate was left over from family and friends decorating!”
Support
The support from friends and family has been immense as has the enthusiasm and interest from local people.
Cathy also secured a grant from the Women’s Enterprise Project which has helped her to pay for advertising and packaging for her online business. “The grant has paid half my eBay shop fees for 12 months which is really helping me to trade online”.
The Women’s Enterprise Project also gave Cathy a mentor who has been absolutely invaluable, “she visits me regularly and always encourages and supports me with fresh ideas and new inspiration.”
The Future
Cathy has recently launched a Fair Trade range by Namaste for girls aged 3-8years, she hopes in the next few months to extend this range to boys wear. She is also hoping to develop the size range she offers by selling the ‘Big and Beautiful’ range produced by Nomads Clothing.
Cathy is continuing her work with the New Mills Fair Trade Steering Group, “we hope to get the status by September 2006 and are working hard to promote Fairtrade whilst encouraging people to shop locally for such products.”
In conclusion Cathy believes “Buying fairly traded products isn’t expensive, but by doing so the general public can make a real difference to people in third world countries who otherwise may have to endure poor working conditions and low wages. Fair Trade clothing is often printed/dyed using vegetable dyes and uses production methods that are kinder to the environment. Some of the ranges also recycle silk saris to make new items, which again benefits the world in which we live.”
Remould – Fair Trade Clothing are happy to offer a 10% discount to Authentic Business readers if they quote the offer code AB10%RFTC when purchasing.
Cathy Tiffany
Remould
32 Market St
High Peak
Derbyshire
SK22 4AE
Tel: 0771 5381513
Email: enquiries@remouldclothing.co.uk
www.remouldclothing.co.uk
ebay shop