Why do we exist?
Purpose, Values & Vision
Our founding purpose was simple but powerful:
to provide fairly-paid, dignified and sustainable livelihood opportunities to marginalised women, with the objective of empowering them to achieve economic independence and create better lives for themselves, their families and their communities.
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Value 1: Authenticity
We are story tellers.
Every item we create tells a story of the skills, culture & history of the maker's community - these are inextricably woven into our cloth. We believe these intangible stories are just as beautiful as the cloth itself, and ultimately make a simple item of clothing into something meaningful & valuable.
These stories deserve to be told, and we endeavour to be as transparent as possible in the telling.
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Value 2: Respect
Our work respects people and planet.
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We partner with a careful selection of organisations and directly with artisans to ensure we're offering livelihood opportunities to women who need it most, and that all artisans are fairly paid and treated.
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The use of waste, upcycled, handmade and vintage materials is the foundation for our designs. We use exclusively natural fibres and wherever possible, natural dyes.
Value 3: Beauty
We exist to create beauty.
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For our customers, beauty in the aesthetic value of our products, and the connection to age-old skills, talented makers and distant lands.
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For our artisans, beauty in the opportunities that open up to them through a dignified and secure livelihood and economic independence.
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Gandhi said it best:
“there is no beauty in the finest cloth if it makes hunger & unhappiness.”
Our Vision
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We are a purpose-driven company who believes in the power - and responsibility - of business to do good. "To do good" means adding positive value along the length of our entire value chain.
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Amongst our makers, adding value means providing sustainable, fairly paid & meaningful employment to the women who need it the most.
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​Towards the environment, adding value means taking an environmentally-sustainable approach to our materials & manufacturing processes, and to our products' use & end life.
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Within the world of textile heritage from where we draw inspiration, adding value means championing the preservation & evolution of traditional arts & skills.​
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Towards our community of textile-connoisseurs & customers, adding value means making accessible high quality products of exceptional beauty, and educating, inspiring & connecting this community with our makers.
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