Fair Trade fashions empower artisans who create unique designs by hand
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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 08/09/2012 (5120 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.
WHEN we think of fashion, the latest styles and trends are the first things that come to mind, likely followed by models, designers and the elaborate photo shoots of glossy magazines.
What we don’t often think about is where these fashions come from, the factories where they are made and the people who painstakingly recreate those designs.
I was reminded of this recently by a company called Village Artisan. Its mission is to employ Fair Trade practices while developing communities and empowering the artisans who design their scarves and jewelry.
“My purpose is to bring quality products to the Manitoba market that are fashionable but support artisans across the globe,” explains owner Jessica Alkana.
Each of the lines in Village Artisan’s multi-faceted collection is handcrafted by skilled artisans in India who have learned their craft as it was passed on from generation to generation.
Among the lines is a collection of sari scarves that come in gorgeous gem tones such as canary yellow, luscious pink, rich turquoise and royal purple — perfect for adding a punch of colour and ideal for those cool fall nights.
Unique and one-of-a-kind, every one of the silk scarves is made from recycled saris and hand-stitched in the Kantha style.
Kantha refers to an embroidery style used by Bengal women in northern India. The thread used to embroider the intricate designs on the scarves is actually pulled from the sari itself, a skill practised for centuries.
Another noteworthy — and very stylish — line carried by Village Artisan is their absolutely fantastic hand-beaded necklaces that will elevate your expections for hand-crafted jewelry.
Long strands of beads in earthy hues, grouped with metallic accents and multi-coloured layers of baubles in all sizes and textures, create a stunning focal point when worn with any outfit.
What I like best about these traditional crafts is that they offer more than a reflection of the culture of the place where they’re made — they’re fabulous fashion items that leave you feeling good for purchasing them and looking great as you wear them.
For more information on the Village Artisan collections or to learn more about the people behind the Fair Trade fashion lines, visit www.villageartisan.com . Village Artisan collections are also available at H.P. Tergesen & Sons in Gimli and at Tara Davis Studio Boutique, 246 McDermot Ave., right here in the ’Peg.
Got a suggestion for a future column or a fashion trend worth following? Email Connie Tamoto at connietamotofashion@hotmail.com.
