Sharing stories: What’s in Our Closet!

A link to our slideshow, Sharing Stories: What’s in Our Closet!

 

In mid-May we partnered with the Shop for Good and ran a week-long campaign inviting people to share what was in their closets. The guidelines were easy – simply share 1-5 items that were either handmade, artisan made, vintage and/or upcycled and provide some background as to their significance.

 

We were delighted by the enthusiasm with which people rummaged through their closets to share items that had special meaning to them. We compiled a slide show of the various products (above) and here are snippets of the stories shared.

A big THANK YOU to all who participated! We are inspired and encouraged by the value you have placed on being conscious about What’s In Your Closet.

“This indigo batik jacket was purchased in Delhi but the label says it’s from Japan. I inherited from a friend who died almost a year ago. I love to wear it and remember times we spent together.”

“This necklace is more than 30 years old and belonged to my mother. She had bought this on a holiday to Greece before she got married and recently decided to pass it on to me.”

“A Choose Love shirt from Help Refugees: the shirts are made by Rapanui from organic cotton in a solar-powered factory on the Isle of Wight.”

“My grandmother has made a patchwork blanket for each of her grandchildren and incorporated colors and designs unique to each…it is an important piece of my heritage.”

“I love pouches. I’ve collected them over the years from my many travels abroad and as gifts from friends. I still swoon over them without fail, especially for the quirky, handmade kind, and the kind with interesting textures and textile patterns. While I never thought of my collecting habit as having an element of conscious consumerism, I will attest that many of them do.”

“My timeless sedge handbag that was given to me by a friend. Sad to see natural fibers being driven out by cheaper artificial alternatives.”

“Handmade Ankara African Fabric necklace & earrings. Bought from an out door market in Lagos. The idea of using African Fabric to make accessories is very creative and also inspiring.”

“Handwoven slippers from northern China, I received from my dad over Christmas two years ago that saved me from the dead cold of winter.”

“A stylish tote was purchased and handmade by artisans in Rwanda. It is made from all natural materials including sisal plant and maize leaves.”

“My Indonesian batik shirt, which I picked up on a trip to Jakarta. In an era of Euro-centric and Vogue-defined fashion, I was pleased to learn that this traditional art form remains popular among Indonesians’ daily attire.”

“A vintage coin pendant that I love and wear very-very often. It is from one of Lai’s early collections- ‘Vintage Coin‘ that has since gone on to become one of our signature collections. Handcrafted in sterling silver and set with a genuine pre-independence Indian coin dated 1944- the year my dad was born in! 🙂 These coins are getting increasing hard to find; up-cycling these little nuggets of history into wearable keepsakes and preserving them is something we are very proud of.”

“Upcycled necklace I pulled together – the pendent is part of a decorative silver key chain my mother received at her wedding over 40 years ago, paired with an old pearl and silver necklace that needed to be restrung.”

“A shirt I stitched myself.”

“A bilum I received as a gift. It is a traditional string bag that is native to PNG. They come in a variety of shapes, sizes and colours that reflect the province from which they originate, and also for different functions (carry food, carry a baby…).”

“Act Justly, Love Mercy, Walk Humbly” all purpose canvas  tote that’s roomy and goes with almost any outfit, anytime. Designed by @freesetglobal , this is made by women who are freed from the flesh trade and now lead dignified, empowered lives. Special also because I was privileged to be part of the design team that created this bag :)”

“A pair of Juta Shoes, made from reclaimed leather and handcrafted by women makers in East London.”

“Upcycled earrings made from feathers and beads. The feathers were shed by some few guinea fowl that live on a farm nearby. These were collected and quickly converted into wearable, quirky earrings by the @provisionindia team.”

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