Music Media and Art for a better world. That’s the slogan of Second World, a Lowell MA based nonprofit that held their 4th annual Culture Fest to promote fair trade over labor day weekend. The organization has been around since 1998 and employs the power of the arts and media to educate the public about it’s initiatives in Nepal, India, Peru, Jamaica, and here at home. In addition to the prerequisite booths, and exotic foods, the festival featured a fair trade fashion show and musical talent from around the world including headliners, Leon and the Peoples. You may remember band vocalist Leon, from such popular movies as Cool Runnings, the temptations and waiting to Exhale. Amongst the vendors were two standouts: The Kusikuy clothing company specializes in warm and cozy knitwear made under fair trade practices by the Aymara and Quechua peoples of Bolivia. Kusikuy’s distributes its ethically traded sweaters, hats scarves and other items for men women and children, to stores across the country including Hatched in Jamaica Plain and and Crunchy Granola Baby in Salem MA. Both stores carry their items for babies and children made from naturally hypoallergenic Alpaca fleece and certified organic cotton. I was also impressed with Recyleze. Run by two stay at home moms out of Western Mass, they make vibrantly colorful cloth diapers made from cotton and fleece with snap closures. They also sell the most adorable wool pants for toddlers. Even someone who is yet to be a baby mama can’t help but appreciate this green baby gear.
