Monsoon, a UK based company, was founded in 1972 by Peter Simon after he returned from a lengthy road trip around Asia. With an original concept of sourcing clothes from India and the Far East, the company focused on merging modern design with traditional materials and techniques.
Monsoon’s initial offering was a range of colorful hand-block printed clothing made from natural cotton and organic vegetable dyes. The unprecedented success of that line led to the opening of the company’s first brick and mortar store in 1973 in London.
Forty plus years later Monsoon and offshoot accessories brand, Accessorize, have over 1,000 physical locations worldwide. Though the company has experienced immense success over the past four decades, the brand has remained firmly rooted in their humble beginnings and focused on promoting sustainable fashion and global change through trade.
Color Block Backpack / Parka Jacket / Off Shoulder Dress / Block Heel Sandal / Stripe Trouser / Suedette Dress / Duffle Bag / Western Weave Boot / Denim Skirt
As a founding member of the Ethical Trading Initiative (ETI), Monsoon has remained committed to improving working conditions and the lives of those they do business with all around the world. To further this cause, the company started the Monsoon Accessorize Trust in 1994. The trust’s primary focus has been and continues to be on income generation and improving healthcare and education opportunities for over 15,000 women and children throughout Asia.
What is most interesting to me about the company is the way they have successfully scaled their business model as they have grown. While Monsoon does not run their own factories or directly employ the artisans who create their products these days, they do ensure that each supplier they work with complies with ETI standards dictating working conditions, pay and employee rights. Giving business to Monsoon means giving business to a company that has the reach necessary to create long lasting sustainable change focused on helping communities and empowering girls and women to build brighter futures.