Social Impact

 Mehera Shaw Team

Fair Trade Standards

We measure our social impact through direct and indirect benefits for artisan producers and the long-term benefits to producers through the supply chain. 

We are a fair trade, ethical manufacturer based in Jaipur, India and an artisanal lifestyle brand, based in Chapel Hill, NC, USA.  We are guaranteed members of the World Fair Trade Organization (WFTO number 1047).  All of our products are made in-house using fair labor standards:

  • no discrimination
  • no forced labor
  • payment of a living wage, all staff are full-time salaried employees
  • on-time payments to staff and suppliers
  • clean and safe working conditions
  • no excessive working hours
  • no forced overtime
  • no child labor 
  • pension funds for all staff
  • working in a supportive, transparent way throughout the supply chain.
For more information, please see the WFTO 10 standards of fair trade we adhere to outlined below and on the WFTO WEBSITE.

    fair trade principles

     

    Artisan Producer Benefits
    • all artisans are hired as full-time, permanent employees
    • living wages paid on time to each and every person on our staff
    • staff bonuses paid 3 times annually (1/3 monthly salary)
    • full medical care benefits to all our full-time employees and their family members through a Government of India incentive program
    • emergency loans for education, illness, and family concerns to all staff members. 
    • Government of India supported pension funds for all staff 
    • paid holiday leaves
    • clean drinking water, chai, and lunch breaks
    • overtime pay for voluntary overtime work
    • non-discriminatory working conditions and right of expression, transparent work contracts, clear advocacy, and work policies
    • safe, clean, well-ventilated working conditions
    • ongoing skills training for all staff and support for ongoing learning, believing that learning through doing is equally as important as formal education. 
    Long-term Impact
    • Developing self-discipline and self-reliance.
    • Being able to plan more effectively for one’s own and one’s family’s future.
    • Having a secure, reliable source of income has proven benefits for the next generation including improved educational opportunities, safer living conditions, and healthier environments.
    • Decrease in child marriage for the next generation.
    • Decreases societal caste/class-based discrimination and provides greater opportunities for social and economic upward mobility.
    • Builds teamwork and clear, open communication.
    • Helps each individual feel valued and gain agency—both in the workplace and in their daily lives.

    We believe fair trade's inherent message of equity is passed on to the next generation when people work together and see each other as human beings first.  This is a message that can create long-term positive change for humanity.  A culture of empathy and respect is key to the future of humanity; together we all benefit.  

    Environmental Impact
    • use of GOTS certified cotton whenever possible (approximately 95% of our work with cotton is with certified organic cotton)
    • use of handloom textiles in support of decentralized production, India’s artisans, and minimizing our carbon footprint
    • use of AZO free, low-impact dyestuff for solid dyeing and printing
    • energy-efficient manufacturing whenever possible
    • upcycling project using post-production scrap fabric

    Social Impact Throughout the Supply Chain

    • supporting artisans
    • minimizing the supply chain length by removing middlemen and working directly with artisans and suppliers
    • supporting decentralized production
    • supporting heritage crafts and traditions, and cultural diversity
    • providing long-term income security which supports long-term family sustainability and helps make the entire supply chain more sustainable

     For updates on our recent achievements please visit our Fair Trade Report.

    The Significance of Fair Trade

    "I have also been asked many times to comment on the statistical evidence that fair trade does some good: what 'proof' can we offer?  What 'success stories' and how many lives have been affected?  What I can say, is that though we are small, each person who works with us is affected in a positive way (myself included); each person, by having income stability, can plan for their children's future, for their families.  Gradually, people make different types of decisions based on job security and freedom of thought.  Their children stay in school, finish school and consequently gain more skills.  Our staff are able to afford more of the things in life which enhance their quality of life.  They have better, more secure lives within the structures of their world. We all work in a non-discriminatory environment that promotes respect and appreciation for all.  In this environment, we all learn from each other.  My life has been deeply enriched by learning more about their lives. I believe the same is true for our staff who have learned of other cultures, and other ways of thinking.  Our staff has learned about many other parts of the world and ideas through meetings and conversations with our customers, interns, and buyers. In our system, everyone gradually takes on more responsibility and becomes part of our team. We are greater as a whole than individually, but it is only by each person working for this ideal that we become so.

    By making these daily connections between people, and by developing long-lasting relationships based on trust, everyone's life has been positively impacted.  

    If we all saw each other as human beings first, fair trade would simply be the norm and, one small step at a time, the world would grow in understanding and human kindness. It is the only way to live and work." — Shari

    Follow our Pinterest Board:  Behind the Scenes at Mehera Shaw

     

     

    Fit/Sizing/Care

    FIT

    Our styles are meant to give room to breath and move.  We use fine tailoring coupled with a relaxed, comfortable fit.

    We use a fit guide for each of our styles to provide more information about the fit that was intended.

    Slim Fit: a close fit to the body. Regular Fit: a comfortable, relaxed fit with room around the body. Generous Fit: a very loose fit (such as in our oversized blouses) with lots of room around the body for ease of movement.

    SIZING

    h4XS/ 36

    h4S/ 38

    h4M/40

    h4L/ 42

    h4XL/44

    h4chest

    h435.5 inches/ 90 cm

    h437.5 inches/95 cm

    h439.5 inches/ 100 cm

    h441.5 inches/ 105 cm

    h444.5 inches. 113 cm

    h44cm extra from body

    h4waist

    h426 inches/ 66 cm

    h428 inches/ 71 cm

    h430 inches/ 76 cm

    h432 inches/ 81 cm

    h435 inches/ 89 cm

    h4fitted

    h4low waist

    h428 inches/71 cm

    h430 inches/76 cm

    h432 inches/ 81 cm

    h434 inches/ 86 cm

    h437 inches/ 94 cm

    h4fitted

    h4hip

    h437 inches/ 94 cm

    h439 inches/ 99 cm

    h441 inches/ 104 cm

    h443 inches/ 109 cm

    h446 inches/ 1

    h44cm extra from body

    WASHCARE

    All garments have been washed several times during the printing/dyeing and manufacturing process.  

    CARE for 100% cotton

    We recommend cold water machine wash (up to 30 degrees celsius) with a bio detergent and either tumble dry on low heat or line dry in shade for all of our 100% cotton garments/homewares (except for quilts).  

    Iron on reverse side of garment following fabric settings.  

    Do not use bleach or stain remover.

    Cold water wash and low heat drying or line drying in the shade will increase the life of the garment, prolong the vibrancy of the colors and reduce energy use. Shrinkage on all cottons is minimal, approximately 3%.

    Garments/homewares are dyed or printed using AZO free, low-impact, pigment or reactive dyes unless otherwise noted.  These dyes are color-fast, but care should still be taken to wash with like colors to retain the vibrancy of the colors.

    CARE for 100% cotton quilts

    For quilts with cotton fill, we recommend spot or light surface cleaning only with a damp cloth and mild detergent.  Eco-friendly dry cleaning is also recommended. 

    CARE for herbal/vegetable dye items

    Vegetable dyes are not colorfast and are specifically marked in the product description.  We strongly recommend that all vegetable dye products be washed once before use in a cold water wash with minimal detergent.  Wash separately. Tumble dry on low heat or line dry in shade.  Iron on reverse side.  Do not use bleach or stain remover.

    Please keep in mind that indigo dye does continually fade over time.  This is the nature of true indigo dye and is not a defect, but rather a sign of the 'living' nature of the dye.

    CARE for silk and cotton/silk

    For our silk and cotton silk garments/homewares, we also recommend gentle cycle machine wash cold water (up to 30 degrees celsius) or delicate hand washing to increase the life of the garment and reduce the environmental footprint from energy use, detergents and water wastage.  

    Tumble dry on low heat or line dry in shade.  

    Iron on reverse side of garment following fabric settings.

    Do not use bleach or stain remover.

    Dry cleaning using an eco-friendly service is also recommended.

    CARE for linen and cotton/linen

    For our linen and cotton linen garments/homewares, we also recommend gentle cycle machine wash cold water (up to 30 degrees celsius) or delicate hand washing to increase the life of the garment and reduce the environmental footprint from energy use, detergents and water wastage.  

    Tumble dry on low heat or line dry in shade.  

    Iron on reverse side of garment following fabric settings.

    Do not use bleach or stain remover.