Michelle Parlett

Female

Brighton, East Sussex

United Kingdom

Profile Information:

Profession / role:
Director
Company / organisation:
oh so Shika
Website (if you have one):
www.shika.org.uk
My primary role in relation to fashion is:
Designer, Manufacturer, Other
I am looking to discover or buy
Contacts and information and ideas to help us develop a successful and sustainable ethical fashion label
About me / About business or organisation:
I run a small UK charity called Shika. We provide educational opportunities to disadvantaged communities in Tanzania. We support around 150 people in Arusha. One of our projects is a sustainable clothing design business. We work with a group of talented but disadvantaged tailors and craftspeople to produce wearable clothing to be sold in the UK. All the profits generated by the clothing business support our educational projects.
Career history / Company history:
In 1996 I indulged my interest in fashion and studied an MA in fashion journalism at Central Saint Martins. Following this, I began a career in tv production with BBC Entertainment in London. I remained with BBC production until 2005 after producing a series on African Music. Following this I took a year out to work in international development with an HIV/AIDS homebased care organisation in Tanzania. The beautiful East African fabrics rekindled my interest in fashion and my volunteer experience fuelled my passion for development. Both inspired me to register an educational support charity called Shika and alongside it, a fair trade fashion enterprise, "oh so Shika", in 2006. My professional career has since reflected my interest in development and television production and in 2006 I joined Comic Relief as their Broadcast Manager. There I managed their tv production for the Red Nose Day and Sport Relief campaigns. I continue to undertake freelance work for Comic Relief, most recently producing appeal films for them for American Idol Gives Back and working on ongoing campaigns. I spend the remainder of my time developing our new social enterprise "Fair", a fair trade fashion boutique and retail outlet in Brighton, and developing Shika's educational programmes and oh so Shika's clothing line. I split my time between the UK and Tanzania.

Comment Wall:

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  • Prama Bhardwaj

    Hi Michelle! I think the girl talking about fairtrade cotton from tanzania was possibly me. There isnt as yet any FairTrade certified cotton in East africa, but we're in discussion with FLO about it. We use the Bio Re organic cotton grown in Tanzania which is fairly traded - farmers are paid a premium and financed, social community projects are undertaken etc but even better its organic too! Drop me an email on prama@mantisworld.com or call on 020 7224 8991 and we can talk more. You could also find some information on our website www.mantisworld.com about the organic cotton range we hold in stock in the UK made in Tanzania (its called TLC).
    Speak soon
    Prama

    Sep 25, 2009

  • Andrew Nineham

    Hi Michelle - thanks for your reply. Please could you send an email to me at andrew@group9uk.com as I would like to contact you directly.
    Kind regards
    Andrew

    Sep 28, 2009

  • Colin Leslie Bamboo Eyewear

    HI

    On the 17th feb at 7.00pm to 10.30 pm at the Brighton media centre

    15-17 Middle St 
    Brighton, Brighton and Hove BN1 1AL
    Anupa Accessories will be having a special VIP launch Party introducing her wonderful fashions to the UK.
    Colin Leslie eyewear will also be there to show his bamboo eyewear .
    So come along , finally see for real the products you only know from pictures, bring a friend and your wallet ..special prices on the day ..
    Free drink , Free food, and free entry...
    
    Please confirm on the link http://anupa.net/launch-party  if you plan to turn up .
    hope to see you there
    Colin

    Jan 26, 2011