Shop for Change Fair Trade took its call to support India's cotton farmers to top designers and their fans at LFW. Among the Winter/Festive collections on display, those attending the renowned fashion event found a range of designer t-shirts and casual wear from Shop for Change partner labels - I Wear Me, Do U Speak Green and No Nasties - along with home textiles and stylish cotton bags from Women's India Trust. Shop for Change also partnered with brands like Anita Dongre, Shoppers Stop and ColorPlus. All of the ranges were made with Shop for Change Fair Trade certified cotton grown by farmers from Chetna Organic Agriculture Producer Co., ensuring that small-scale cotton farmers receive a fairer deal so they can care for their families and the environment.

Shop for Change Fair Trade is an NGO committed to ensuring a better deal for cotton farmers. The Shop for Change mark is an independent guarantee that small-scale cotton farmers received a fair deal for their hard work. When shoppers choose designs with the Shop for Change mark, they know that they are empowering farming families to improve their lives, care for the environment and invest in a better future. Shop for Change was established by Traidcraft Exchange (UK) and International Resources for Fairer Trade (India) and its initiatives are funded by NABARD, ICCO and the European Union and Hivos under the PRO-SUSTAIN project.

Dabas, a long-time supporter of Shop for Change Fair Trade, and Kukade spoke about the challenges facing India's small-scale farming families and how Indian consumers can make a difference by choosing Shop for Change Fair Trade certified garments like those on display at Lakme Fashion Week.

Commenting on the cause, Meenakshi Gohain, Head of Marketing and Communications, Shop for Change Fair Trade said: "While India's fascination with high fashion continues to surge, the country's cotton farmers continue to struggle to make ends meet. Shop for Change partners with designers and brands that source cotton in a way that ensures small-scale farmers earn more and grow more sustainably. Shop for Change Fair Trade certified products carry the Shop for Change mark, letting consumers know that by choosing a fair trade garment they are making a difference to poor cotton farmers."

Meanwhile, Dabas said: "My family comes from a farming village and I've seen the challenges that farmers face. Today, I spoke with Kishore Kukade, an Akola cotton farmer, about how fair trade transforms the lives of farmers like him by ensuring that they get a fairer deal. It's inspiring to know that by doing something as simple as choosing a stylish Shop for Change certified t-shirt, we can look great and do our bit to make a difference."

Kukade said: "Though this is the busiest time of the year for a farmer, I was pleased to come from my village to lend my voice to the fair trade movement. Like I told Parvin Dabas, my message to consumers is simple - now that you know how choosing a Shop for Change certified garment makes a difference I hope that you'll make the choice next time you shop."