MarketPlace: Handwork of India

The other day I was contacted by a company called MarketPlace: Handwork of India with the offer to review one of their products.  I had never heard of this company so I did a little research and they’re pretty amazing.  They are a nonprofit Alternative Trade and Development Organization that works with 480 women artisans around Mumbai, India, to produce clothing and home décor items showcasing authentic techniques such as hand batik, ikat and hand embroidery.

The women work in supportive, non-exploitative work environments in the form of 14 cooperatives around Mumbai, which the women organize and manage.  And, addition to the much needed employment, MarketPlace works in conjunction with another nonprofit organization in Mumbai, SHARE, to provide social programs to the artisans.  And the women in turn use their own social program, Social Action, to get involved in their communities, tackling everything from garbage collection to domestic abuse.  

So, yeah, pretty amazing.

And so are the items they produce.  Like the Majuli Tunic:

Here is a close-up of the hand printed pattern and the hand embroidery at the yoke:

I don’t wear a lot of purple, but I love the dusty plum of the tunic.  And I love that the embroidery inspired me to pair the tunic with a mustard scarf:

Really, what's not to love about a company that empowers women and inspires the wearing of mustard?!  That's right, nothing.

To share in the love and learn more about MarketPlace: Handwork of India, please visit them here.

And have a Happy Wednesday, All!

Gracey

Double Denim Rides Again

Get it?  Because I’m in double denim and a riding jacket.  You’re welcome.

Corny puns aside, I feel like a cattle baron’s widow in this outfit.  Like my husband was killed by outlaws and I have to manage our ranch and our 30,000 head of cattle myself.  This is what I’d wear in Abilene to negotiate a selling price for this year’s cattle:

Because, really, nothing says “shrewd negotiator” like a denim shirt (Caslon via Nordstrom) and denim skirt (thrifted) paired with a riding jacket (Ralph Lauren, thrifted).  I also added a studded belt (Michael Michael Kors via Nordstrom), goldenrod tights (Nordstrom), riding boots (Born Crown “Sosie” via Nordstrom), garnet-and-cameo earrings & an equestrian scarf (Echo, thrifted).

Happy Tuesday, Everyone!

Gracey