The Artisans
We have included accessories, shoes and one off handmade items found in Africa. Most of our accessories (the cloth ones) is from our zero waste initiative, the others have been made by artisans whose craft and skill has been noticed and appreciated
Deaf Seamstresses
Because of their inability to translate tailoring needs accurately with their customers, our lovely deaf ladies have struggled to keep their small business going. Now, they have been employed by HAN Design, paid living wages; and can support their families. We are committed to do our best to support them by sending our waste to turn into useable items to meet our zero waste agenda.
Disabled Cobbler
We have chosen to work with Maza, a disabled cobbler, positioned in the second-hand market to upholster and upcycle worn out shoes; and he does a cracking job.
Upcycled leather bags, furs and wools
They are positioned directly in front of the incinerator and Landfill. Together, we turn wet, dirty real and fake furs that are headed to landfill into useable items such as bags. We also upholster old bags, belts and anything else we find to keep out of landfill.
The incarcerated Basket weavers
It has been known that some incarcerated persons can stay in prison for many years whilst awaiting trial because they do not have the funds to get legal support o/ and they have lost contact with loved ones. We have found an organisation that provides basket weaving skills to inmates to help them raise money for their legal cost and give them a source of income upon release.
Bespoke Tailoring for Petite and Plus Size women
Our artisanal tailor, Chimene and her team are our bespoke tailors for petite and plus size women. We would request your measurements, then show you a selection of fabrics (mostly deadstock) and African fabrics to choose a style from our collection that you would like. This service will not incur any extra cost.
We hope to engage the right tailor for adaptive clothing soon.
OUR RECENT BLOGS
MOTHER & CHILD BELOW THE BREAD-LINE
She is a mother of 12 children, 5 died (she buried) and 2 are missing. Her missing children are 30 year old builder Agossou and 28 year old painter Akakpo both left their village Vogan for Lagos but never returned, a third son Edem a 25 year old Electrician/plumber lives somewhere in Vogan village.
Breaking Bias with Queen Charlotte Collection
Queen Charlotte is the name of one of our collections. A name we decided to give in the wake of George Floyd's death and Nigeria's End SARS protest, it was evident that we needed to be proactive in calling out BIAS in our society.