Case Study: Recycled Sari Book

Reflections on craft product development from the eyes of an industrial (product) designer. While living in Bangladesh, one of the social businesses that I worked with was Sacred Mark Enterprise (SME), which works to provide alternative employment to former sex workers through handicraft production. My support centered around graduating this business from being incubated under […]

Artesan profile: Pomogrenade

Aiswarya Kutty and Madhu Umapathy co-founders of Pomogrenade share their story about starting a sustainable fashion brand. Pomogrenade started as an idea between the both of us to make clothes that were both fun and functional. One thing we always talked about is that ‘clothes shouldn’t dictate how you wear them, you dictate how to […]

Artesan Profile: Diya Foundation

We recently caught up with Diya Foundation  CEO and founder, Maria S Santamaria to learn more about how the foundation provides life skills training and employment opportunities for the differently-abled. Diya Foundation is a Vocational Training Center for adults with intellectual challenges. The focus at Diya is life skill and work skill training towards the […]

Artesan Profile: Lush Bazzar

A conversation with Timbrel Chyatee   The Brand Lush Bazaar is a socially conscious fashion label that began over three years ago. It has grown from an accessory label to a clothing label and the best is yet to come! Lush Bazaar sells handcrafted, Indowestern clothing that tells a story of empowerment and inspiration. Our […]

Artesan Profile: Bright Solutions Vietnam

A conversation with Fiona Briers, founder @Bright Solutions Vietnam Seeing a need in the community My heart and passion to serve and empower the poor. People are often in poverty through generations, tragic or difficult circumstances and lack of education. So I want to do what I can with the skills and experiences I have […]

Artesan Profile: Ushodhaya Women Weaves Crafts

Founded in 2016, Ushodhaya Women Weaves Crafts provides employment and means to a livelihood to 25 women weavers, through the production of handwoven SUTRA (sustainable cotton). Using natural vegetable dyes, the weavers produce fabric for apparel industry. The group is based in Andhra Pradesh, India.

Artesan Profile: Ankur Handicrafts

Based in Mymensingh, Bangladesh, Ankur Handicrafts comprises of women artisan producers each of whom are women with disabilities. At the moment the group comprises of 47 individuals, most of whom come from poor and neglected communities and must work in order to survive. Originally an income generating project within the Protibondhi Community Center (PCC) , […]

Kantala launches crowdfunding campaign

The Business With its mission to be global fashion house known for ethics and artisan fashion accessories, Kantala targets the fashionably conscious and responsible consumers who not only value ethical and sustainable business processes but also appreciate colourful and functional designs and high quality finishing. Having conducted extensive market research on the overall fashion industry […]

Artesan Profile: Amano Artisans, Colombia

  A conversation with founder Carolina L. Pastrana. Background I started Amano Artisans 6 years ago. “Amano” means hand-made in Spanish and so I chose a name that would represent the artisans with whom we work: hand-made by artisans. The company was born out of a pure love for jewelry and accessories, I would go […]

Kisaku Gives Back

Earlier this week we were introduced to the brand Kisaku – an online platform specialising in modern heritage-infused fashion and home decor collections, which are carefully curated from Indonesian artisans and craftmakers. Founders Felicia and Lenny continue their story here, sharing with us how they invest in the lives of the artisan producers. Kisaku has […]