People Tree

If you've seen me wearing them around town you'll have most probably stopped me in the street to ask me where they are from - it kind of looks like I'm hovering on air or walking on tip toes due to the bizarre and surprisingly comfortable heels.

The Eamz shoe is conceptually inspired by a furniture design classic - the Charles and Ray Eames chair. The Eamz heel lifts the wearer nine centimeters off the ground and is constructed from very light-weight steel, creating a sturdy comfortable base and eye-catching look.

Well I have good news -- they are in stock, in Brighton, in People Tree, which is also full to the brim with hidden fair trade fashion gems.

For every beautiful garment People Tree makes, there's an equally beautiful change happening somewhere in the world. That's the philosophy on their website anyway.

The fair trade fashion retailer provides exclusive fashion (Eley Kishimoto, Jessica Ogden, and Karen Nicol among the designer labels) while at the same time working to improve the lives and environment of the artisans and farmers in developing countries who work to produce it. It's Fair Trade throughout.

People Tree fashion work closely with 50 Fair Trade groups in 15 countries so they can bring benefits to people and the planet at as many steps of the production process as possible growing cotton, weaving, dyeing, embroidery and stitching for instance.

Pioneering ecologically sound methods of production, People Tree also try to minimise environmental impact where they can. Most of the cotton used is certified organic and fair trade and all clothing is dyed using safe and natural dyes. Many products are sourced locally such as natural and recycled products over toxic, synthetic and non-biodegradable materials.

The UK and Japanese designers work to produce collections which make the most of local skills such as hand screen printing and also hand embroidery.

People Tree also stocks mens clothing and Terra Plana footwear.