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1 nomination from readers

• Carry has shown principles, passion and perseverance in order to create a successful, profitable, ethical business which benefits hundreds of producers in the Andean region, as well as young people within her own community.

  She established Pachacuti with only £500 and no design experience. Her first knitwear collection sold out within six weeks and she raised £6000 from friends, only to encounter an armed robber in Ecuador who left her penniless. With many people already dependent upon Pachacuti for their livelihoods, she was determined to persevere and lived in a van in order to pay back her debts. Pachacuti is now a profitable business, with turnover growing at 35% per annum.

  Carry demonstrates that in a world of mass-produced clothing, people can wear individual, stylish garments which have been created by hand using traditional skills, with respect for the environment and ensuring that the producers receive a living wage. Pachacuti’s producers receive excellent remuneration for their work and Carry strives to improve working conditions; empower women through working principally with organisations of female producers; ensure that products are sustainable through the reduction of chemicals and the use of rainforest-friendly tagua nut buttons and support community development in rural areas.

  As one of the few clothing companies in the UK which are members of IFAT, Pachacuti’s integrity within the supply chain has been recognised by the committee working on the world’s first fair trade product label. Pachacuti has been chosen to pilot a Sustainable Fair Trade Management System which will result in receiving a label which is externally validated and provides a guarantee of a fair trade production process.

  In the UK, Carry is passionate about inspiring the next generation to work more ethically, liasing with local schools and Universities to educate pupils and providing many student work placements.

  16 May 2008