80% matchKuyichi
Organic cotton with published factory-level traceability
What changes: Denim-focused and pricier than People Tree's dresses and basics
Brand profile
People Tree
Pioneering Japanese-founded fair trade clothing label whose UK business entered liquidation in September 2023 owing £8.5 million to suppliers, staff and customers.
TokyoOrigin
UnisexFocus
Minimalist / ContemporaryStyle
$$Price
19 brands like People Tree like Kuyichi, Outerknown, Amour Vert →
What to know about People Tree
An activist group became a label
Safia Minney started environmental group Global Village in Tokyo in 1991; the clothing line grew out of it, making fair trade the founding premise rather than a later add-on.
Hand-woven, farmer-made, naturally dyed
Pieces were made by artisan and farmer groups in Bangladesh, India and Nepal using hand-weaving, organic cotton and natural dyes, mostly showing up in tops.
The original company is gone
People Tree Ltd, the UK trading business, went into liquidation in September 2023 owing £8.5 million, and the trademarks left the group afterwards.
If you like People Tree
See all 19 brands like People Tree →80% match
76% matchOuterknown
Fair Trade certified sewing, organic and recycled fibres
What changes: California surf-casual styling at a higher price point
74% matchAmour Vert
Womenswear built on eco fibres and traceable mills
What changes: Tencel/silk city dressing rather than handwoven artisan craft
72% matchTentree
Accessible eco basics with a built-in giving model
What changes: Outdoorsy sweats and tees, no artisan or fair trade angle
Brand facts
People Tree began in Tokyo in 1991, when Safia Minney founded the environmental group Global Village, and grew into a pioneering fair trade clothing label selling hand-woven, organic-cotton and naturally dyed pieces made by artisan and farmer groups in Bangladesh, India and Nepal. It was registered as a UK trading name in 2000, ran Topshop concessions from 2006 and produced collections with Emma Watson. People Tree Ltd, the UK trading business, entered liquidation in September 2023 owing £8.5 million; affiliated entities were dissolved and the trademarks left the group.
- Founded
- 1991
- Origin
- Tokyo, Japan
- Made in
- Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Kenya
- Price
- $$
- Focus
- Unisex
- Facts checked
- September 2026
- Styles
- Minimalist / Contemporary, Workwear / Heritage