The People Tree brand was founded in 2001 by Safia Minney and is now owned by Safia Minney and Global Fashion AG, based in Switzerland. People Tree is a Fairtrade fashion brand that focuses on sustainable and ethical production. The brand has partnered with Fairtrade artisans and farmers in developing countries to produce its clothing lines. People Tree aims to promote fair wages, good working conditions, local skills and sustainable practices through its ethical trade focus.
Founding of People Tree
People Tree was founded in 2001 by Safia Minney, who continues to be the Creative Director and a joint owner of the company. Minney had previously worked in the garment industry and became concerned about the working conditions for garment workers in developing countries. She founded People Tree with the goal of proving that ethical and environmentally sustainable production was viable and could be achieved on a broad scale.
The first People Tree collections were produced in Bangladesh, Nepal and India in partnership with Fairtrade cooperatives and artisan groups. By working directly with these producers, People Tree aimed to ensure good working conditions and fair pay. The brand quickly built up a reputation for stylish, sustainable fashion and rapidly expanded its reach and impact.
Joint Ownership with Global Fashion AG
In 2009, People Tree entered into a partnership with Global Fashion AG, which took a 50% stake in the company. Global Fashion AG is a Swiss investment company focused on sustainable fashion. This investment enabled People Tree to scale up its operations and expand into new markets while retaining its ethical focus under the continued leadership of Minney.
Minney remained as Creative Director and joint owner, holding 50% of People Tree. Global Fashion AG’s investment brought financial resources and fashion industry expertise to help drive People Tree’s growth and development. However, the brand’s ethical vision and partnerships have remained intact under Minney’s oversight.
Today, People Tree continues to be jointly owned between Minney and Global Fashion AG. This balance allows Minney to retain her creative direction and commitment to ethical trade, while benefiting from Global Fashion’s resources and experience to maximize the brand’s potential.
Key Details of Joint Ownership
- Safia Minney holds 50% ownership stake
- Global Fashion AG holds 50% ownership stake
- Minney remains Creative Director and leader on ethical trade policies
- Global Fashion provides financial investment and industry expertise
- Joint ownership structure in place since Global Fashion’s investment in 2009
This ownership model has enabled People Tree to thrive as an ethical fashion brand by blending Minney’s founding vision with Global Fashion’s resources and reach.
People Tree’s Ethical Commitments
People Tree has put ethical production and environmental sustainability at the forefront since it’s founding. Some of the key ethical commitments of People Tree under Minney’s ongoing leadership include:
Fair Trade Partnerships
People Tree has partnered with Fairtrade producers to source its materials and manufacture its clothing ranges. These partnerships aim to ensure:
- Fair wages for workers
- Good health and safety conditions in factories
- Environmentally sustainable practices
- Long-term trade relationships
- Continued development opportunities for communities
Use of Organic Cotton and Other Sustainable Materials
People Tree uses organic cotton as the material for many of its clothing items. Organic cotton is grown without the use of pesticides and synthetic fertilizers which can damage the environment and farm workers’ health. The brand also utilizes other sustainable materials like bamboo, banana fiber and Tencel.
Ethical Production Audits
Production facilities are audited to ensure proper working conditions and fair treatment of employees. Audits check issues like wages, working hours, health and safety, and fair treatment.
Transparency and Traceability
People Tree provides details on its website about where each garment is produced and the specific Fairtrade artisan groups involved. This transparency provides customers with traceability on where and how their clothes are made.
Partnerships with Non-Profit Organizations
The brand partners with non-profits like the World Fair Trade Organization to further advocate for workers’ rights and environmental sustainability in fashion supply chains.
Use of Non-Toxic Dyes
People Tree uses non-toxic, AZO-free dyes for its clothing. Conventional dyes can contain harmful chemicals that pollute water supplies where production facilities are located.
People Tree Product Lines
People Tree pursues its ethical mission across its major clothing lines:
Women’s Wear
The women’s line includes dresses, tops, bottoms, coats, shoes and accessories. Styles range from casual everyday wear to dresses and separates suitable for work or events. Materials used include organic cotton, Tencel and banana fiber.
Men’s Wear
The men’s line offers casual shirts, knitwear, trousers and accessories made from sustainable materials like organic cotton and bamboo. Styles are classic and understated for everyday wear.
Children’s Wear
Clothing for babies and children includes rompers, playful tops, dresses and separates. Designs feature colorful prints and patterns crafted from kind to skin organic cotton and other sustainable fibers.
People Tree X Louise Gray Collaborations
People Tree has partnered with designer Louise Gray multiple times for special capsule collections. These collaborative ranges marry Gray’s bold, playful designs with People Tree’s ethical production.
Jewelry
People Tree offers a range of jewelry made by Fairtrade groups in Nepal, Bangladesh and Indonesia. Materials used include recycled brass, glass beads, shell and horn.
Home Goods
The brand also sells a selection of sustainably-made home wares including cushions, rugs, baskets and other handcrafted items. These are produced by People Tree’s artisan partners using natural materials and traditional techniques.
People Tree’s Market Presence
People Tree has become one of the leading ethical fashion brands with an international presence across Europe, North America and Asia. Some details on its market reach include:
Store Locations
- 1 store in London, UK
- 1 store in Paris, France
- Stores in franchise partnership in Japan
Online Shop
People Tree sells globally through its own online shop at www.peopletree.co.uk. The website ships to over 200 countries worldwide.
Third Party Retailers
The brand has products stocked at ethical retail partners worldwide including in the UK, EU, US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and others. Partners include department stores like John Lewis and online retailers like ASOS.
International Shipping
People Tree’s online shop offers international shipping to provide worldwide access to its ethical clothing ranges. This includes affordable shipping options to the US, Canada, Europe, Australia and elsewhere.
Awards and Recognition
People Tree and founder Safia Minney have received extensive recognition through sustainability awards and honors. Some highlights include:
- Winner of multiple Observer Ethical Awards
- Minney awarded an MBE from Queen Elizabeth for sustainable business leadership
- Winner of the Marie Claire Prix d’Excellence Award
- Listed by The Guardian as a Top 10 Ethical Brand
- Endorsed by Greenpeace for sustainable practices
- Winner of the Thomson Reuters Foundation Stop Slavery Award
This recognition underscores People Tree’s pioneering status as a model for ethical business in the fashion world under Minney’s vision and leadership.
The Future of People Tree
Looking ahead, People Tree seems poised for continued growth and impact as an ethical brand through its joint ownership model.
As Creative Director, Safia Minney will continue steering the brand’s commitment to fair trade and sustainability. This founding vision remains at the core of People Tree’s identity and success.
Meanwhile, Global Fashion AG provides the investment and fashion expertise to potentially expand People Tree’s global reach even further. New markets, increased production and more brand partnerships could be on the horizon.
Ultimately, the joint ownership structure creates an agile platform to grow People Tree’s business and social impact. It allows the brand to stay true to its ethical roots while reaching and engaging an ever-wider audience of conscious consumers seeking stylish, sustainably-made clothing.
Conclusion
People Tree has had a remarkable journey since Safia Minney founded the company in 2001 with a vision for ethical trade and sustainable fashion. The brand is now jointly owned between Minney and Global Fashion AG.
This balanced ownership arrangement enables Minney to continue guiding the brand’s ethical direction as Creative Director, while Global Fashion lends business acumen and resources. People Tree has successfully maintained its commitments to fair pay, environmental sustainability and transparency under this structure.
Looking forward, People Tree seems primed for further success. The brand can leverage its joint owners’ respective strengths to potentially expand its global sustainable fashion influence. Ultimately, People Tree’s founding ideals and positive impact should only grow in the years ahead.