Approximately half the population of Mumbai live in the slums where, without a skill, many people are forced into poverty. The co-operative making the fabrics trains severely disadvantaged impoverished women in sewing and embroidery skills, thus providing them with vital income, and the skills to craft a better future. After 6-9 months at the training center the women join one of 18 work groups which are autonomously run, and co-ordinated by an elected leader within the group. Orders are fulfilled for the domestic market, for a store in Bandra, and for international sales. The great advantage of working in co-operative is that numerous other services are provided including a childcare center, a nursery, and educational sponsorship program, a savings and credit organization, and training and education in health care.
Trade as One currently buys napkins, tablecloths, aprons and oven gloves from Marigold. We were drawn to these products by their quality and vibrancy, which is unlike many of the fabrics we normally encounter in the USA today. These fabrics get their beauty from being totally hand-crafted, high quality items enabling vulnerable women to hold their heads high and earn a fair wage.
The fabrics are made from organic cotton (good for the environment, the farmer and you!), and are vegetable dyed and hand block printed. Hand block printing is an age-old artisan tradition dating back to the 12th century in India, and is an art form that is dying due to mass-production techniques.
Connect on Facebook
Follow on Twitter