Family brings fair trade ideals into business
SISTERS Rebecca, Andrea and Danielle Winkworth and their mother Sari, all from Newcastle, are the team behind White & Green. The ladies said that the company is one of the world’s first, and Ireland’s only, organic Fairtrade cotton company.
Travelling abroad, the women learned the importance of ethical consumption and were particularity troubled by the inhumane practices of the global textile industries. ‘Furthermore, we always shared the belief that a great night’s sleep is crucial to wellbeing.’ So together, these passions align to form White & Green.
The range includes bed linen, cotton throws, and scarves. They use the finest organic cotton, grown ethically in India. Their products are free from harmful pesticides and they are 100 per cent Fairtrade certified, guaranteeing safe labour practices and fair wages for all of their farmers and workers.
Sari studied interior design in the Inchibald School of Design in London. She then set up an interiors-related consultancy, with customers both in Ireland and across Europe. Her specialty in luxury beds and bedrooms led her to discover the lack of luxury, chemical-free and Fairtrade bed sheets in Europe.
Singer and musician Rebecca has toured the world as a soloist with shows such as Celtic Woman, Ragús, Celtic Nights and Anúna. Rebecca’s extensive travelling led her to question the growing global wealth inequality, and how patterns of international trade benefit some people whilst exploiting others. Inspired by the desire to create a more equitable system of global trade, Rebecca worked with NGOs in Tanzania, India and Ethiopia and completed a Masters in International Development at the London School of Economics. She is now development, labour rights and Fairtrade expert at White & Green.
As an international model with agencies such as Ford, Storm and Morgan, Danielle has been on the most prestigious catwalks in the world. She has represented brands such as Swarovski, L’Oreal, Asos, Nordstrom and DKNY. Drawing on her extensive experience in the world of fashion and beauty, she found a passion for design. She is an avid organic and natural well being advocate and is responsible for all things quality and design related at the company. Andrea earned a BA in Geography and Politics from UCD before completing postgraduate studies in Event Management and PR. Deciding to pursue her dreams in the USA, Andrea emigrated to New York anc found herself in charge of organising distinguished events across America. Andrea is roaming marketing and PR manager at White & Green.
To find out more, go to whiteandgreen.ie.