1) A Peace Treaty: Started in 2008 by Farah Malik and Dana Arbib, this design house is bringing employment to skilled artisans around the globe who are facing the extinction of their craft. Not only does the duo churn out beautiful products but also perhaps more importantly, A Peace Treaty is changing local economies and villages worldwide by bringing awareness and appreciation to crafts often forgotten. The company works with skilled artisans in over 8 countries including Nepal, Afghanistan and Pakistan and is changing the face of local economies through job creation for out-of-work artisans and small, family run operations. As a member of the CFDA’s 3.0 Incubator Program, A Peace Treaty is helping to bring global awareness to beautiful hand made products made in corners of the world not often associated with luxury fashion and commerce potential. Read more here
2) QMilk: 100 percent sustainable and biodegrable fiber and textiles made out of milk? Yes you read that right. QMilk is the brain child of the company’s founder Anke Domaske who was on the hunt for clothes not treated with chemicals for her stepfather battling cancer. Milk proteins have been utilized since the 1930s in tectiles but were also produced and treated with large amounts of various chemicals in a long and costly process. Not only are the textiles created totally sustainable but the process by which they are made is energy efficient and emits a very small about of CO2, a rarity for the textile production world! The finished biopolymer is compostable in as little as two weeks and accumulates no waste in the production process! Read more here
3) St. Frank: The textile house, which creates beautiful hand made objects to adorn your walls, is on a social mission. With the goals of supporting “economic empowerment for artisans” and “preserving traditional artisanal craft”, the gorgeous textiles are made from low-income countries around the world and bring awareness to the most universal yet diverse art form. The framing, printing and tag production for each textile is made by small US businesses and is another example of how St. Frank is creating jobs both abroad and in our own back yard. See more here
4) Lulan Textiles: Lulan’s mission is based around a passion for traditional Southeast Asian weaving techniques, the beautiful products created and a goal to help these small artisans and their workshops thrive. The juxtaposition of modern American textile designers and talented Asian artisans makes for a beautiful marriage and helps churn out socially conscious fabrics for everyday life. Read more here
5) LemLem: Founded in 2007 by model and former World Health Organization’s Goodwill Ambassador, Liya Kebede, Lemlem has provided jobs to traditional weavers in Ethopia who were noticing a massive decline in their craft. Lemlem is on a mission to inspire economic indpeendende through job creation and instilling a passion and respect for the native artisanal work. See Lelem's offerings right now.