The True Cost

Watch the documentary, The True Cost!

Two small world happenings were the catalysts for my mentioning this film today. First, a friend of mine took her daughter to a screening earlier this week at the Skirball Center in Los Angeles. Second, I was emailing back and forth with an old friend from high school (we have a reunion coming up) and she noticed and was impressed that I had liked this film on Facebook.  It turns out that her son is a childhood friend of the film’s director, Andrew Morgan.  

Do you know where your clothes come from? Have you ever stopped to think about it? Are you typically only concerned about finding the retailer with the lowest prices?  If you answered – no, no, yes to any of these questions, I recommend you watch the documentary film The True Cost.  You might find a screening near you by checking their website. You can also watch it on Netflix or download it using other streaming services. Give them a thumbs up on Facebook.

This film covers and explains the global epidemic of ‘fast fashion’ so well.  It effectively illustrates how first world consumers demanding lower prices and constant availability of new designs catapults profit seeking conglomerates into sourcing production to the lowest bidder.  This results in garment workers working in unsafe conditions and not having the ability to feed or school their families.  The director of this film, Andrew Morgan first delved into this topic after the Rana Plaza garment factory collapse in Bangladesh in 2013 were over 1000 people were killed and many more injured.  I promise you, after you see this film, you will re-think where and how you purchase your clothing.

My business is a member of the Fair Trade Federation.  You can visit FTF website to learn more about fair trade practices.  I always go back to the golden rule. Do onto others as you would have them do onto you.  I urge you to think about how and what you purchase. Think  a little more about where things are made.  We need to carefor all of our world’s citizens. -ND

New Logo for Fair Trade Federation

Fair Trade Federation unveiled a new logo a few days ago at the annual FTF conference. 

Why now?  FTF has been working fearlessly to distinguish what members do differently - beyond what many participating in fair trade do. FTF developed the 360° fair trade message to capture FTF members' deep, long lasting and holistic partnerships with artisans and farmers.  Our prior logo didn't adequately reflect the depth and richness of 360° fair trade. 

Why this design? The new logo reflects the very essence of 360° fair trade. The circular mark created by four interdependent hands powerfully communicates the holistic cooperation, across cultures and geographies, that defines FTF membership.

Look carefully. You will see the four hands swirling in a circular movement. Each is decorated differently.  I must confess, when I first looked (and look) at the logo I saw the blank space in the center which appears like swimming snakes.  I've been re-educating my brain to see the hands first.

You will find FTF member using this logo on their websites, social media and other marketing materials.  Some of us hang the logo proudly in our trade show booths.  With our old logo, it had to be presented as black text on a white background.  We can now present the new and current logo with black or white text - on different color backgrounds.  The attached photo illustrates the flexibility members will have going forward when they present the logo. - ND

Music Feeding the Soul

I had dinner with my 20-something niece the other evening.  She mentioned that she bought a turntable and was now collecting LPs.  (I still have mine from the day and told her to come rifle through them.)  Our conversation reminded me of how much I enjoy listening to music and playing DJ in my own home. I put one song on my turntable and another ready to go on the CD player. Sometimes I listen to the same song 5 times before I move on.  Note to self: Play DJ more often.

Dunitz & Company is getting ready to exhibit at the Boston Gift Show, April 2-5.  As I was doing some last minute prep work, I started thinking about songs that remind me of Boston. Two immediately came to mind. Please Come to Boston by Dave Loggins (1974) and Dirty Water from the Standells (1966). [I remember my older sister playing and singing along to this '45' when I was a tot.]  And then there is Rock and Roll Band from, yes, Boston and Massachusetts, an oldie but goody from the Bee Gees. Dare I ask? What songs remind you of Boston? - ND

We Have That Look

I read what seems like zillions of fashion magazines.  I watch the fashionistas on Instagram. Trust me, I'm on top of the fashion pages in print and online.  So often I see something and think "We have that look."  And then the thought disappears. It dawned on my this week that I SHOULD be make the comparisons for our customers.  So, here is a new beginning.
While browsing Instagram this weekend, I noticed that Alexa Chung , actress, model and Vogue editor donned a huge flower on her blazer at London Fashion Week. Voila. Dunitz has that look in all sorts of colors with our jumbo #fairtrade Peruvian flowers (SKU: JO-P5).  We're on trend with this!

On Sunday, it was hard to miss a story highlighting various earrings in the Image section of the Los Angeles Times.  Staring back at me were beaded & wire earrings from Thai importer, Nakomol.  The article mentioned that their earrings are selling at Neiman Marcus.  You betcha. Dunitz has the look. We're showing ours (SKU: ARW82) in twelve different colors this season. I already knew they were winners. This just confirms the look is right on the mark. - ND

Good Things Come in Small Packages

Good things come in small packages. It seems this adage applies to the Dunitz jewelry line as well.  Every season we design what I believe to be new spectacular necklaces and earrings.  Our customers ooooo and ahhhhhh.  And then, what to do they buy in huge volume?  The smallest earrings we have to offer.  Is this a never-ending design trend?  Now my challenge each season is what can we design - that is smaller than last season.  Spring 2016 results.  Our super tiny JoanieM glass studs (SKU: JM-ER35) and our tiny Dunitz beaded flower earrings (SKU: ARduoflor1).  Very inexpensive - & yes, flying off our shelves.  Based on history, these small items will be a success for our customers as well.   Any thoughts on this trend?  When will "big" earrings return with a vengeance? -ND

Legal Gambling

I'm soon heading off to Las Vegas for the Las Vegas Market.  Dunitz & Company will be located in Pavilion 1 - Booth 2615, otherwise noted as "The Temps".  Whenever I'm heading off to Vegas, friends & customers always ask if I'll 'hit the tables'.  Truth is, I NEVER win at black jack. And I certain don't win money hanging out with the one arm bandits.  My response usually is - exhibiting at trade shows is my legal gambling.  And it is.  We all prepare endlessly for the shows.  And it costs a whole lot of money to set them up. Dunitz exhibited last season at Las Vegas Market and it was a very disappointing show.  The heating & cooling had not been figured out in the new Pavilion space and we were all sweltering. The buyers didn't want to enter and/or stay in the building.  Even free ice cream couldn't persuade them to 'work the room.'  Even with the, ok, bad show, I still saw potential with this market.  Some of the few buyers that did walk the temps, were quality buyers. I saw several museum buyers.  In fact, Stuart Hata, the buyer from the deYoung Fine Arts Museum brought his colleagues by our booth on a Museum Store Association tour of the hall. (He chose 9 booths to highlight and we were one of them.) Show attendees came from all over the country.   Bottom line. We're rolling the dice again. We'll be in Vegas this weekend - doing our legal gambling at Las Vegas Market. - ND

360° Fair Trade - Fair Trade Federation Messaging

Dunitz is a proud member of the Fair Trade Federation.  We are part of a this group where each member company is deeply committed to fair trade.  Each company is rigorously screened from top to bottom before admittance.
It is awesome that more and more people are cognizant of how and where things are made or at least have an interest in how and where things are made. The phrase "fair trade" sound good.  I've found that at the wholesale trade shows just about every company importing form third world countries is now describing themselves as "fair trade."  I'm not even sure if many of these people spouting the term even know what it means.  In a competitive world, this has been challenging for Fair Trade Federation members who want to differentiate themselves from those that have not been screened for their business practices.
Fair Trade Federation has new messaging we hope will communicate to our customers (whether they be stores or end users of our offerings) our strong desire to build meaningful, trusting relationships with our producers and to act as good global citizens through all of our work - socially, economically and environmentally.  The concept of 360° (degrees) Fair Trade is meant to express our desire to go beyond fair trade basics. We practice 360° Fair Trade which means we take a more holistic approach than only looking at wages and work conditions.  We partner with artisans (and farmers) and make long-term commitments to help grow businesses and strengthen communities. (Dunitz has worked with the same community of beaders for over 25 years!) 
Next time someone tells you they run a fair trade business, question them.  Ask them if they are a member of Fair Trade Federation.  Ask them to tell you about their 360 Fair Trade practices.  I'm certain any of my FTF colleagues would be happy to share stories of their work and the artisans (and farmers) they support. - ND