About this project

FAIR TRADE FRIENDLY

In many parts of the world, the sale of dirty gold, blood diamonds, and conflict gemstones fuel wars and support terrorists. Children, sometimes as young as 8 or 9, are forced into the mines, risking their health and their lives. Young girls become sweatshop slaves to process silver and make cheap jewelry.

Many young women in South East Asia are particularly prone to becoming sweatshop slaves, or worse- being trafficked. Conscious Couture chooses to source supplies from a rural village in Thailand because of the prevalence of human exploitation and trafficking in Thailand. Every year, tens of thousands (some estimates say 100,000) of economically desperate young girls and women are lured away from their families and villages into the cities and out of Thailand under the false promise of a reputable, good-paying job. These girls become trapped in sweatshops and in sexual slavery for years to come, working to pay off “debts” to their traffickers.

ECO-CHIC

Mining silver, gold and gemstones not only exploits workers, but it exploits the environment as well. Run off from mining pollutes water, releases mercury and other lethal toxins. In the La Oroya village in Peru, the local multi-metal smelting plant has had deadly consequences for residents. Approximately 97% of local children have lead poisoning; 20% of these children requiring immediate hospitalization. (http://www.time.com/time/specials/2007/article/0,28804,1661031_1661028_1661020,00.html).

NON-TOXIC

Not only is mining toxic to the environment - but jewelry can be toxic to wear. The amount of lead is capped in jewelry for children under the age of 12 (http://www.dtsc.ca.gov/LeadInJewelry.cfm). The only state to legally limit lead in jewelry for adults is California. Cadmium is another toxic heavy metal sometimes found in jewelry and is a known to increase cancer risk (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/35207539/ns/health-more_health_news/).

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CONSCIOUS COUTURE uses only fair-trade, fair-wage, eco-friendly materials to make our one-of-a-kind couture designs. Instead of forcing girls into sweatshops to make cheap jewelry—which is then marked up exponentially—Conscious Couture supports small artisan villages that use only environmentally sustainable practices. Each piece of silver and every ounce of gold is made by hand, and every artisan makes a living wage for their work.

By shopping CONSCIOUS COUTURE, you support fair-trade labor and environmental responsibility. Together we can say NO to jewelry companies that make their profits by exploiting the environment and workers. Every Conscious Couture creation is made with the highest possible quality sterling silver (.999) or rose or yellow vermeil gold. All gemstones are conflict free.
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Why I need YOUR SUPPORT:

So I've done the research; I've found a fair trade supplier; and I've been invited to showcase during New York NOLCHA FASHION WEEK!!!! (http://nolcha.com/news/102-ethical-fashion-preview-runway-opportunity). I met director of Bel Esprit during the last Nolcha Ethical Fashion Preview, and showed her my jewelry and about my idea. She loved it, and she has invited me to participate in Spring Fashion week - - - pending I can create a 30 piece line, have them photographed and have my website and business cards ready to go. I have about 5 pieces completed and designs ready to go for the rest!! Unfortunately, fair trade silver, gold and conflict free gemstones come at a premium. I've gone through my savings, and now I need some support! $1000 will be spent on fair trade, eco-chic materials. The remaining will be split to hire a website designer and a professional photographer (I'm also taking graphic design, website builder, and photographer in-kind contributions!)

Even if you can't donate today, please sign the No Dirty Gold petition! (http://www.nodirtygold.org/take_action.cfm). I really do believe that the only way to change toxic market behavior is for consumers to speak their mind. Thank you!