Sisam Fair Trade + design: strong ally in fair trade selection

A common question we often tackle is, “How do we become more sustainable?” Of course, we have to choose to be. Our lifestyles should orient towards sustainability, like picking sustainable fashion, ethical food and fair trade products. However, it doesn’t work if there are no choices like that nearby us.

And Sisam Fair Trade + design is a brand that provides us that sustainable choice. It is one of the brands in Japan that focuses on the narrative of the products we use.

Sisam is one of the leading movers of fair trade in Japan

Sisam stores offer a wide range of fair trade products, although it is mainly recognized as an apparel shop. In addition, they have recently been certified as a Zero Waste Apparel Store, the fourth in Japan to achieve such certification.

Fair trade is a practice to ensure everyone involved in producing the products is paid fairly for their work, especially for producers in developed countries. Most of the products in Sisam are involved in fair trade (there are also non-fair trade, like local support products from Japan).

And you’d be mistaken to think Sisam is new in the scene. Founded in April 1999, it was born from the desire to tackle human rights issues and poverty by providing economic support for these people. So Sisam was established as one of Japan’s earliest fair trade brands, long before we began to think responsible consumption was hip.

Not just a sustainable fashion shop

A chalkboard stands outside Kyoto’s Sisam shop at Ura Teradori. Its message is a contemporary one, probing passersby, “What you buy is what you vote.” It is a thought-provoking line that makes sense in this climate and in this climate crisis.

On the first step into the store, the sign stands out to the visitor, instantly recognizable to many. The global “Who made my clothes?” movement is still active, and the vibe fills the store, not in an invasive way but one of welcome.

Immediately, you are greeted by the staff’s warm welcome, and the wide range of clothes available: women’s, Men’s, shoes, accessories, the whole nine yards. The products come from various countries, including India, Thailand and the Philippines. You can find brands like Mahaguthi, The Third World Shop and, of course, Sisam’s original brand

Sisam also carries other ranges of ethical products. The back half of the supports fair trade brands who make non-fashion products. These include racks, toiletries, utensils and food. Even some of the ethical handmade lampshades available for sale (CCAP from the Philippines) are used to light the interiors of the shop.

You can shop responsibly at Sisam

We talked about having the choice to buy products that is sustainable. Part of that sustainability includes making purchases that benefit society. And Sisam is one of those businesses making it easy to learn about the origin story of the products we use. And as we have seen, there is a wide range of products available at Sisam, so there is a high chance of finding what you need here.

Yet, through the focus of fair trade, Sisam ultimately makes it about us. How can we consume better? How can we wear better? By raising that conversation introspectively, we are reminded that this is an era of “what we care about maketh the person.”