Fair

As you might suspect from the name, fair trade goods are the game. But, as far as I know this is a for-​profit business given that nothing about being a non-​profit is on their website that I can find! Some other reviews mentioned it as non-​profit though, so maybe it was something a shop assistant told them («fair non-​profit brighton» on google returns no relevant results).
In addition to just generally being an ethical way to shop, what I particularly like is that the service is friendly even when you are just browsing and not purchasing anything, and also that the styles and brands stocked really do change quite a lot with the seasons (as opposed to just having the same fair trade suppliers that make the exact same one dress forever). Their goods are very wearable and much of it is even professional appropriate with none of the stereotypical ‘eco-​chic’ in sight. In addition to mostly clothing for both men and women, they have some jewelry, accessories, and even underwear.
The prices, however, are actually quite high — ranging from 50 pounds when on 40% sale to 100+ pounds when not — so I would contest anyone’s claim that this store is «affordable» for the majority of people in this country. I agree that fair trade is something for every store in every industry to aspire to, but it’s important to remember that this is still a business, not a charity, and there are certainly profit margins involved here. They can afford rent on a very expensive street, and being able to shop at this store is a luxury rather than an obvious ethical choice you could expect people to reasonably undertake. And there are plenty of ethical alternatives for all price ranges — you could go to a charity shop for much cheaper, to Etsy for handmade clothes from the UK for about the same price, or buy all your clothes cheaply at a big box store and donate the remainder of money you otherwise would have spent at FAIR directly to a charity :)

It’s not often that my first experience of a shop is to attend a wine tasting there but that’s how I experienced FAIR just yesterday evening. It’s a novel experience to walk in, be greeted by a smiling member of staff, be handed a glass of Sauvignon Blanc and told to browse at your leisure. In fact, I reckon that’s how ALL shops should run as a matter of course.
FAIR has some absolutely beautiful clothes light, summery dresses in crisp cottons, brightly coloured shrug-​style cardis and handmade knitwear. Everything, of course, is entirely Fair Trade. I was particularly taken with a blue and white, stripy cotton dressing gown and matching PJ bottoms, but decided (sadly) that I couldn’t spare the sixty-​odd quid needed to purchase them. Although I must say, I was sorely tempted by my fourth glass of wine.
The jewellery sold here is fantastic too bright, chunky beads in gift boxes and long, beaded necklaces displayed draped upon hangers in such a way that shows you JUST how great they look with the dresses.
The shop itself is neutrally decorated and an absolute pleasure to browse the fact that it’s so light and isn’t crammed with stock gives it an exclusive edge which I love. I’ll definitely be going back to this place, with or without the wine.

Fair is a lovely little (yes, you’ve guessed it!) fair trade shop, located in the centre of town. Despite being central, this shop does seem to suffer from its location, as Tasha S. points out– it is caught in a bit of no man’s land between the Churchill shopping area and the North Laines. Sadly every time I go in, I’m the only person in there!
That doesn’t stop me popping in every time I happen past though! This shop has some beautifully made clothes. There’s lots of interesting, unusual designs and gorgeous fabrics. At the moment they have some tops and dresses made with tribal and ethnic print fabrics, which are really pretty. My only gripe is that lots of the current stock seems a little flimsy for these cold winter climes… I fell in love with an embroidered Tree People coat the other day, but there’s no way a cotton-​linen mix is going to fend off gusty winds and freezing temperatures!
What’s really great about Fair, is that their fair trade clothing is attractive– there was a time not so long ago when all fair trade dresses looked like hessian sacks! As well as women’s and children’s clothing, they stock handmade paper and cards, beautiful Xmas tree decorations and other little gifts and trinkets.

This branch of not-​for-​profit Fair is a little misplaced in Brighton, on the road up to the train station which is dominated by takeways, off licenses and corner shops — one gets the feeling Fair would find more trade if based in the South Lanes or North Laine area of Brighton. On the plus though, there’s some nice stock here and the prices aren’t too bad for fairtrade, though at the slightly higher end of the high street, with a plain cotton shirt for £15, but any thing more fancy up to £30. There are some cute accesories too with pretty woolen purses and bags. All in all, well worth a visit, with some lovely quality clothing.

Finally a shop that puts an end to all the prejudices and stereotypes surrounding ethical and organic clothing! This is a beautiful shop with select ranges of fabulous wearable fashionable affordable AND fair trade sustainable clothing. You can’t imagine how different it feels buying what you want, what you need and feeling that it is actually helping a whole network of people, as well as helping towards the environmental mess. This was the first shop in Brighton to stock People Tree and is paving the way towards making ethical products more readily available as well as supporting emerging brands and designers. They have great kids clothes by the brand Green Radicals, lovely jewelery and bedding. They also have a small range of People Tree and Gossypium men’s things. New stuff coming all in the time.