The garments are truly exclusive-individually designed and made by Sarah Yaccabe using beautiful hand dyed or printed fabrics from African family businesses and artisans in Ghana, The Gambia, Kenya, and South Africa. This network of suppliers has been built up over 20 years by Meltham based Magie Replh for patchwork and quilting specialists who have long recognised how special they are. They are produced in small batches of under 5 metres so every garment is different. Magie, who was at the event displaying a wide range of her fabrics, ensures she only works with producers paying fair wages and using environmentally safe dyes.
Local lass Sarah, who graduated from Leeds University with a BA Hons in Fashion Design, was modelling her clothes along with two other models. To get them in the buying mood, visitors were treated to a selection of delicious canapes along with a glass of Prosecco all kindly donated by members, and there was an exotic mix of cocktails on offer, expertly served up by Kevan of New Mill based Fruity Tipples
The whole evening was recorded for posterity by Jonathan Woodward, a budding young local cinematographer, who is kindly making a little video of the event, including interviews with some of those involved which will be posted on the fair trader website when it is complete.