Made in Nepal
Understanding the importance of knowing how products are made was key to us when we set about developing our brand. Since 2011 we worked with the knitters and weavers of the Association of Craft Producers (ACP) in Kathmandu, Nepal. We are proud to have worked with this not-for-profit fair trade organisation. ACP is a member of regional, national and international (WFTO) fair trade organisations. They provide opportunities for low income, primarily female artisans in 15 different districts of Nepal. Each product in our collections was handmade and provided the artisan who made it with economic and social support.
Over a number of years we developed a stronger relationship with our producers and we worked to build a more collaborative working practice with ACP, to share with them new designs and techniques whilst also learning their traditional production methods. This collaborative process gives the makers exposure to new approaches to design, through their contact with our experiences and methods, while we in turn benefit from their expertise and skills as artisans.
By working in this way there was only one link (us!) between the Nepalese producers and our customer - a traceable production supply chain that is almost unheard of in the fashion industry and a desperately needed alternative to the existing destructive practices of ‘fast fashion’. You can watch a short film about Made in Nepal here.
We found that by travelling to Nepal and trying to understand the Nepalese way of life and political situation there granted us an understanding how to respect and work better with the makers and organisations there. This insight was key to a good relationship working with producers far away. Our producers where at the heart of our business and it was always fun to work onsite, communicating through smiles and laughter.
Over a number of years we developed a stronger relationship with our producers and we worked to build a more collaborative working practice with ACP, to share with them new designs and techniques whilst also learning their traditional production methods. This collaborative process gives the makers exposure to new approaches to design, through their contact with our experiences and methods, while we in turn benefit from their expertise and skills as artisans.
By working in this way there was only one link (us!) between the Nepalese producers and our customer - a traceable production supply chain that is almost unheard of in the fashion industry and a desperately needed alternative to the existing destructive practices of ‘fast fashion’. You can watch a short film about Made in Nepal here.
We found that by travelling to Nepal and trying to understand the Nepalese way of life and political situation there granted us an understanding how to respect and work better with the makers and organisations there. This insight was key to a good relationship working with producers far away. Our producers where at the heart of our business and it was always fun to work onsite, communicating through smiles and laughter.
