Artisan Partners
Recognition of the handmade’s value for both people and our planet is growing and so is our network of highly skilled partnerships in Bangladesh ready to meet that demand. Below are the great people we know you’ll enjoy working with too when the time comes. Everyone involved earns a good, Fair Trade wage, works in safe environments, enjoys a strong relationship with Motif and helps build a hope-filled future for their families.
If you’d like to know more about anyone you meet here, please be in touch.
Shani, Reba and Jahanara
This skilled trio are the strong core of our own Motif Production Team. Their years of experience contribute lots of insight and wisdom when creating new products. Camaraderie is strong as each one has their own story of struggle and thankfulness for being at Motif. Many others sew in our workshop too – all from similar backgrounds, all very glad to be working on your order.
Cyclo Recycled Fibers
CYCLO recycled fibers wants to play its part towards a more sustainable fashion industry. In this video watch how CYCLO closes the loop on the booming garment industry in Bangladesh by reclaiming the local textile waste and turning it into brand new yarns without using water, dyes or chemicals. These recycled yarns are the foundation of our handwoven fabric range rightly named Shunno, which means Zero in Bangla, the local language.
Hand Touch
At a young age Founder Mohammad Ali, experienced first hand the crippling effects of Rural – Urban Migration on his community in NW Bangladesh. As hardworking men left to find jobs in the cities, families were weakened. For generations the skilled hand weavers of this region had created beautiful cloth and so, with his early experience in mind, Hand Touch was born. Now local weavers enjoy raising their families well at home whilst their amazing textiles are appreciated near and far.
Leatherina
High end leather backpacks, bags belts and small accessories are made to specification by this independently WFTO certified, woman owned business. Taslima has made many sacrifices to ensure her team and raw materials are the best quality. She is as kind as she is strong and collaborations with Leatherina are marked by professionalism, good communication and a sense of the playful.
Prabartana
The holistic model of whole communities integrating organic farming and traditional crafts to meet everyday needs, has been at Prabartana’s core since the early 1980s. Beautiful and useful handwoven saris, fabrics, blankets, towels and more ensure a constant employment. Motif has partnered with these exceptionally skilled handweavers for decades, creating unusual and beautiful fabrics for both fashion and interiors.
Babul & Forkan
Since Motif began in 1998, these men have developed leather goods of exceptional quality. Their businesses employ bright youths from their local community who otherwise would likely fall into crime. Motif’s custom made leather goods are carefully hand embossed and beautifully finished by these skilled workers.
Meem Fashion
Shilpi and Laiju, 2 spirited, hardworking young women, with tough stories themselves, understood that together they could support other women in similar scenarios. “With God’s help!” they say, and their surefire tenacity, they now organise detailed hand work for about 100 women in their own homes and are keen to grow that network exponentially!
The Prapti Foundation
“Being mentored by my uncle was a great blessing!” says Rubel. “I started with a small set up making recycled paper bags and learned a lot!” His uncle was pleased and encouraged Rubel to start what he really wanted, The Prapti Foundation … a way to ensure his mother, sisters and other women in his village would earn a good income and know success (prapti) through their sewing skills. And so the ancient tradition of ‘kantha’, recycling old saris into treasured family blankets, now helps build their families too!
A Stitch in Time
Young, under-age girls are regularly rescued from a brothel in Faridpur, Bangladesh. Those who can’t be reunited with family stay in a government shelter. They live a hard present with a hopeless future, both factors in the high rates of attempted suicide. Motif now partners with Shapla Mohila Sangstha (SMS), a local agency, to produce a range of exclusive, handmade scarves and home accessories. As the girls earn from orders for this range, SMS ensures they have better education and a more hope filled future than they ever thought possible.
Haridas
When Haridas retired from one of the largest fair trade craft producers in Bangladesh, he felt there was still so much he had to give. And since there was no shortage of village women looking to earn a home-based income, he brought together a group that makes tree-free paper, stationery, baskets, lampshades, mats, and more all by hand. Haridas’ experience combined with the group’s willingness to learn, now means fair trade wages help ensure their families live with better health, education and well-being.
