Around the World: Hello from Ethiopia

Our lead designer, Lori Fox, left last week on a month-long journey visiting our partnerships around the world. Lori will literally be flying around the world— Africa, India, Cambodia, and back! Her first stop is Ethiopia, where she is working on designs with the artisans. Enjoy her first update from her travels:

The women have been so enthusiastic about the new designs. Today I did some experimenting with new jewelry construction. Even when I don’t know how to produce a design I’ve sketched, the women will usually figure it out. They are so smart and crafty, and we are a good team. Today was filled with laughs as they were modeling each design they were making, wanting me to take their photo. They are getting very good at model poses, especially after two photo shoots with Esther Havens. As I snapped their photo on my phone and then showed them the resulting picture, a roar of laughter would erupt.

They are quite gregarious and the language barrier frustrates me. All I can do is say the few Amharic words I know or put my hand on their shoulder while someone translates. Ethiopians love touch. They are very loving and caring in that way. At least there is no translating needed there. A smile goes a long way too.

As the day was coming to a close I gave them some new pieces to start on tomorrow. I’m so glad they have work. I’m so glad they have hope.

Going back to the city this evening I was riding in a public bus (and hoping I got on the right one!). The side door slid open (think 1980’s Astro Mini-van). A woman who was walking with shoes on her hands and dragging her shriveled legs behind her came over to our bus to ask for money. Subconsciously I found myself thinking, “she has hands and fingers, she can make jewelry if someone would help carry her there.” Just as soon as the thought crossed my mind the door slid closed and I tried to not feel overwhelmed. It is sad that there are so many people with no hope in this world. So many who will never see their potential.

All is not lost though. The program here is growing and other women who were also once begging on the streets and waiting to die are now working and making a new future for their families. I have to focus on that. Each new design that I bring on behalf of R+L is one more plate of food, another months rent, another years school fees for their children, another chance at a better life. In that regard I can’t help but feel their excitement about the new collection too.

New and beautiful things are coming this year, in more ways than just jewelry designs. I hope you are able to feel this direct affect that you are having on their lives through your purchases.

From Ethiopia,

 Lori Fox 

Lori teaching news designs to our artisans, Tizeta and Asnakech.

Forever in My Heart

To My Dear Cambodian Sisters,

What a joy it has been getting to know you and your amazing country.  I feel that I have made so many wonderful new friends and sisters.

You welcomed us into your families….

And into you humble homes…. showing us such hospitality and grace.

Though you may not have much, your hearts were big and your smiles contagious.

You were the best model’s we’ve ever had…

Beautiful inside and out.

Behind those lovely faces, you would never know the pain and horror so many of you have faced.  

Yet you are Courageous.  Strong.  Determined.  Talented…

And full of Personality and Dreams.

It is with joy that I can return to share your stories and fabulous designs. Thank you for trusting us.  You are in my heart forever.  

Missing you already,

Kirsten

Magical Angkor

Dear Mystical Temples of Angkor,

I felt like I was on the set of a movie as I wandered your millennium old ruins…

You were beautiful, romantic, and mezmorizing…

Everything seemed surreal.

I think you will remain in my dreams for quite some time.  

Kirsten

Displaced

Dear Maleng,

Thank you so much for welcoming us to learn more about what happened to your family and neighbors last week.  Its so hard to understand why the government could bulldoze your home of 10 years with no warning…

Leaving you and hundreds of other families with nothing but rubble.

I am so deeply sorry. I want you to know that I will be praying for you as you seek to provide for your 6 children and start over in your new home that overlooks your former.  I’m so happy that our design partnership will help provide for your family’s needs.  I wish we could do more, but we will do what we can.

So many beautiful ones played around us as you shared your story.  They too lost everything, but not their smiles.

In the short time I’ve been here, my heart has welled up with a deep love for this country and her people….especially the children and women.  I am thankful for our new friendship.

 

With love,

Kirsten

Keok’Jay

Dear R+L Customers and Supporters,

Greetings from lovely Cambodia!  We’re having such an incredible time working on the Fall/Winter 2012 Collection with our new Cambodian partnership - Keok’Jay (meaning: fresh green fashion in Khmer).  This wonderful social business trains HIV positive women from vulnerable backgrounds in design skills. The women are so beautiful and hospitable!

We loved sharing lunch together…each lady brings a dish to share on a daily basis.  Such a sweet way to form community.

We were so impressed with their inspiration boards for their local collection, and it was amazing that they were inspired by many of the same colors and ideas as Raven + Lily!

They have a wonderful local store that caters to the expat community.  Rachel is the founder of Keok’ Jay, and she’s been here almost 4 years investing in the lives of these women through her social design business. 

Yesterday we spent time going to the markets to sort through remnant fabrics for our new collection!  

The mounds of fabric were endless…with a few surprises along the way (I promise he’s just sleeping).

The last room was filled to the brim with treasures.  Our new t-shirt collection will be made from natural died jersey remnants.

 

Our tote bags, clutches, and home collection will be made from beautiful natural dyed hand loomed fabrics….my personal favorite type of fabric.  This is just a little sneak peak photo for you.

I just know you are going to love this collection, and I know you’ll love hearing the stories of these amazing women….but you’ll have to wait till Fall.  But never fear, our newest designs for our Spring 2012 collection launch soon.  We’re so excited to share those with you.

Heading out the door to jump on a “tuk tuk”…our choice of transportation in Cambodia. Why don’t we have these in the states?  Amazing that 6 monks could fit in one!

Have a lovely day and stayed tuned for more updates on our adventure….Angkor Wat here we come!

Blessings from “The Charming City,”

Kirsten

Charming Cambodia

Dear Cambodia,

You claim to be charming.  Well, I’ve definitely been charmed…

By your glistening royal palaces…

Your lovely little markets filled with local artisan goods…

Your relaxing boutique hotels tucked away in back alleys…

Your intriguing patterned sidewalks…

And beautiful ladies in tuk tuks (like Rachel-director of Keok’Jay + Sophia-cofounder of Raven+Lily)…

Yet, there is so much pain, so much injustice, and so much poverty behind your charming exterior.  Tomorrow I will visit the genocide museum to enter into your pain and past so I might better understand the depth of who you are.

Until then, I’m a bit jet lagged….so good night.

My Sweet Mei Li

My Daughter Mei Li turned 8 last weekend.  She is a precious, joyful child.  It’s hard to imagine her life if she weren’t in our family.  She is grateful…you see it in her smile.  We are grateful…you can see it in ours. 

She loves Raven + Lily. Loves hearing the stories of the women and spending time with our team. She loves helping in the studio.  She often makes crafts at home and wants to sell them for R+L.  Precious.  

Mei Li understands that there are many orphans in the world…many children in need. She has a tender heart for others, and she has a deep gratitude that she has a family who adores her.  Sometimes the love overwhelms her and thinks maybe we’ll “change our mind” if she’s “bad.”  When I tell her we love her no matter what and we’ll never leave her, she hugs me tightly and cries.   It makes me want to cry too.

Mei Li wanted a family birthday this year…a surprise family day. So that’s just what we did!

Surprise #1: Ice Skating on top of WholeFoods headquarters in Austin! Even I skated!

Surprise #2: Manicure with Mommy!  She picked turquoise.  Her favorite color.

Surprise #3: Happy Feet 2, IMAX 3D

Surprise #4: Special Dinner at Uchiko (since she’s such a foodie!)

Here’s to a beautiful year 8, sweet Mei Li (meaning beautiful plum blossom in Mandarin). You bring beauty into our lives.  I am so thankful to be your forever mommy.

The Forge

We have some pretty awesome Southern reps for Raven + Lily from The Forge Showroom, located right here in Austin, Texas.  We chose The Forge Showroom because they are incredible, like-minded gals with a passion to promote companies with a social cause.  I love talking about the mission of Raven + Lily and the women in our partnerships, but I’m a terrible salesperson. Thank God for The Forge!  Here’s a little blurb about them:   

The FORGE is not a “what”, but rather a “who”. It’s not a company, but a community - a family.

We are brought together by our common goal to represent brands whose mission is to be a part of restoration and change. This restoration and change can happen by providing medication to those whose medical needs are not being met, by being a whistleblower for peace in Congo, by providing consistent access to fresh water for people groups in the farthest reaches of the earth, by feeding and schooling children in impoverished nations, or by simply using production practices that are good to the earth and to people.

Ultimately, our goal is to help others in need and to use the fashion industry as our medium by which to do so.

Sarah and Jackie, our lovely reps, are totally wonderful gals with great style.  We love them and their enthusiasm to introduce Raven + Lily to key boutiques throughout the south.  They represent 3 other fantastic companies:  FEED ProjectGood & Fair, and Jedidiah. If you aren’t already familiar with these great companies, please check them out!  Starting in 2012 The Forge will also be sharing a permanent showroom with Toms Shoes at the Dallas Market.

The Forge has successfully opened accounts for Raven+ Lily with some lovely boutiques.  Some of our favorites (just to name a few) are:

Wildflower Organics (Austin, TX)

Solid Gold (Austin, TX)

One Green Street (Houston, TX)

Milk & Honey Boutique (Dallas, TX)

Shop Good (OK City, OK)

Roots Boutique  (Waco,TX )

Box Turtle (Little Rock, AR)

If you live in one of these cities, be sure to shop R+L at these great Southern stores!  And if you have a store in your city that you think should carry our collection, please let me know!   Of course, you could always tell the store owner about us too!

The moral of this blog: support your locally owned stores this Christmas…especially the ones that carry socially conscious brands like Raven + Lily.  Thank you!

Education for the Children of our Artisans!

Dear Friends…I am so thrilled to let you know about the opportunity to help fund scholarships for the precious children living on Enototo Mountain in Ethiopia through our partnership with Tirzah International.  

 

These are the children of our Ethiopian artisans, and we want to help send them to a good school where they can receive a good education.  We’ll be sending back our proceeds from our sales to help launch this initiative, but we are also giving you the opportunity to help us directly fund these educational needs.  You can help us transform the lives of these children through your both your purchases with Raven + Lily, as well as your direct donations!  I’m truly thrilled about this!

Here’s the lowdown:

Raven + Lily’s partnership with the women of this area has made a dramatic difference in the lives of these women. They are taught new skills which enable them to get jobs, regain purpose and dignity in their lives by supporting themselves. But often the children are not able to attend school (their hope for a better future) because of the cost.

Currently, only 64 children need school scholarships, which provide for their school fees, uniforms, textbooks, school supplies, transportation to and from school, and sports clothes and shoes. Education is the key to a brighter future for these children, breaking the cycle of poverty.

For only $37 per month, a child can attend school! Will you join us in providing hope for a better future through educating these amazing children?

Click here to sponsor a child.

*please note, you will be redirected to the Tirzah International website (our non profit partner for this initiative) where you will be able to make your 100% tax deductible donation.

Open Arms

I recently crossed paths with a wonderful social enterprise also based in the heart of downtown Austin, Texas…actually just a few minutes from the Raven + Lily showroom. Its called Open Arms - A company with a conscience supporting local refugee women.  Let’s just say that we totally “get” each other as socially conscious businesses.  What a joy to have such like-minded neighbors!

Open Arms is committted to doing business differently, employing refugee women at a resaonable wage allowing them to live a life of self-sufficiency.  Utilizing recycled t-shrit donations, the women are trained in various sewing skills to create lovely scarves and skirts.  Each one is a unique, recycled creation.

Last week the founders came to visit our showroom and learn more about R+L. Yesterday, it was our turn to take a fieldtrip to their workplace.  I love field trips!  I met each of the women working that day…some from Africa, some India, and some the Middle East.  They were each so beautiful, so diligent in their work, and so clearly proud of their creations.  

The founders are Lacey Strake and Leslie Beasley, two lovely ladies with creative ideas and a passionate heart to care for refugee women.  They have created such a beautiful company with the mission to “Employ, Engage, and Enjoy”.  I’d say, “Mission accomplished!”

Be sure to consider shopping their online store for their one of a kind, handmade products!  Your purchase will surely make a difference in the lives of these refugee women.

View The Raven + Lily Lookbook Watch Our Story