Our Spring/Summer 2012 Collection and Look Book!

Oh so happy to announce the launch of our new Spring/Summer 2012 Raven + Lily Collection, featuring beautiful designs made with love by the women in our Ethiopia and India partnerships.  I am so proud of their hard work, and I am so thrilled to finally get to share it with you!  

Our new lookbook features photography by the talented Christina M. Feliz and artisan photos by the amazing Esther Havens.  Photographed in Southern California on a lovely ranch, our spring collection is inspired by nature, hope, transformation, and redemption. Many thanks to Gypsy 05 for loaning us their lovely spring line.  The photography is fresh and airy like an early spring morning.  I hope you enjoy our new collection and tell all your friends about it!   

Happy Spring!

Kirsten

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

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

Andinet’s Story

One of my favorite aspects of Raven + Lily (and in particular, my role with Raven + Lily) is getting to share the stories of the women in our partnerships. These women are so honored to have their story shared because they have overcome hardship and are experiencing hope, dignity, and purpose through our partnership.  On a recent trip to Ethiopia, Esther Havens (humanitarian photographer) and Lori Fox (lead designer for R+L) captured a new story to share…the story of Andinet.  

Here is Andinet’s story in her words:

I used to sell food from the country side in the city and had a good life with my family. My husband became ill and died, so to support my daughter and I,  I left her with family members in the country side and went to the city to get work in an Arab country. After I filled out my application, I had to get tested for HIV. I found out I was positive. I was shocked. I decided to stay in the city and move to Entoto because I heard I could be healed by the holy water. I thought I could be healed then go back to my daughter and everything would be okay. After 3 years I decided to return to the country to get my daughter and move her to Entoto with me. I got her tested and she came back positive too. I have now been at Entoto for 8 years. I joined the jewelry making program in the beginning, 4 years ago. I am so thankful I do not have to stay at home alone all day. I love coming to work and talking to everyone. I tell them everything. They are like family to me. In the future I would like to save enough money to move into the city so my daughter and I can have a better life. When they first started the savings accounts here I did not like it and did not understand it. But now I am so happy to have it. I recently had some kidney problems and I was able to use money from my savings to help pay for it.

Thank you Andinet for sharing your story with us.  You are a beautiful soul and we’re so proud of you!

Crafting Bullet Casings into Beautiful Jewelry: Part 2

(Before reading this post, be sure to read Part 1 from last week’s blog about hand crafting beads from bullets.)

There is a labor of love and history that goes into each and every bead in our designs.

We source beads, charms, and pendants from remote villages to create jewelry designs in partnership with a job training program that targets supporting HIV positive women.  We strive to honor both the bead makers and the women in our partnership through a direct, fair trade relationship.

The women in our partnership have been ostricized by their famililes and communities because of the stigma associated with AIDS.  They come to a mountain to live in community with other HIV positive Ethiopians.  Some come with their children as widows.  Some come with their HIV positive husbands.  All come to wash in the “holy waters” on the mountain believed to bring healing from their disease.  Most resort to begging and waiting to die.  They have lost hope.

When we first started our partnership two years ago, there were only a few skilled women, and most of the women still showed signs of sickness and discouragement.

Today, the jewelry design center is buzzing with activity and joy.  There are now 150 women in the program and a large waiting list of more to enter as our orders grow. Hope is contagious.

The women gather throughout the week to fulfill our orders, working together based on their skills and level of training.

Our lead designer just returned from Ethiopia last night, sharing that the women are so confident and proud of their work.  Many of them now have savings accounts which has become a tangible result of empowerment.  

She showed them our website and they grinned ear to ear.  When I hear reports like this, I too grin ear to ear and know that its all been worth it!

What was once meant for harm (bullets) now brings hope and life to these women….the ultimate example of upcycling for good.

Why don’t you join this redemption story and purchase something from our jewelry collection for yourself or someone you love.  You’ll be directly part of bringing hope and dignity to an HIV positive woman in Ethiopia.  

You can feel beautiful inside and out when you wear our Ethiopia collection.  Each original handmade piece of jewelry embodies redemptive beauty.

(all photos by Esther Havens)

Our Goods have arrived…volunteers + boxes galore!

After a month of waiting, our shipments from India and Ethiopia finally arrived last week! Our little studio was suddenly flooded with boxes!

Never fear!  Many of my wonderful Austin friends came to the rescue to help us unpack and organize all the amazing goodies.  It felt like Christmas!

And today another group of lovely ladies spent most their day helping me organize all our wholesale orders!  They lovingly packaged the goods for many wonderful boutiques, museums, and other online venues.

My favorite volunteer of all was my sweet 13 year old chihuahua, Lumiere.  I love how she coordinates with the style of our studio showroom! 

We’re almost ready to launch our online store!  Thank you for your patience.  We can hardly wait for you to start shopping!  Stay tuned…any day now…

Why Women?

“No tool for development is more effective than the empowerment of women.”  Former UN secretary-general Kofi Annan

I’m often asked why we focus on women.  

 As an initial response, I always have to say that we love women and truly believe that each and every woman on this planet is valuable; however, many have not been given opportunity to thrive and know their value because of poverty and injustice.

 I’ve tried to imagine what it would feel like to not be able to feed or educate my children.  What would I do if I knew I was going to die from AIDS and my children would be orphaned?  What would life be like if I were stuck in my home with no access to the outside world…much less an education or job?  These scenarios all describe what life was like for many women prior to working with our partnerships. Most of these women are mamas like me.  

“The single most significant thing that can be done to cure extreme poverty is this: protect, educate, and nurture girls and women and provide them with equal rights and opportunities—educationally, economically, and socially.”  Hole in our Gospel,Richard Stearns

Poverty revolves around a lack of choices that trap women and their families in oppressive situations. What if that was me and my kids?  This question enters my heart and mind almost every time I spend time listening and just being with the women connected to our partnerships.  I can hardly grasp the challenges they have faced.   I have freedom, choices, a healthy family, access to good education, plenty of shopping opportunities, amazing Austin restaurants, and so much more.  I actually have too many choices and tend to get overwhelmed.  How ironic.  However, my freedom gives me the opportunity to choose to use my time and resources in creative ways that support on the ground efforts to empower marginalized women. I don’t want to be too busy to respond to my sisters in need.  I don’t want to be paralyzed by the enormous need either.  So, I do what I can.  I hope you do too.  Even if its just for one woman because each and every woman is valuable.  Including you.

 “If you educate a man, you simply educate an individual, but if you educate a woman, you educate a nation.”  African saying

*Photos by Esther Havens .

Story of Amleset

Its a joy to share the redemptive stories of the women in our partnerships like Amleset from Ethiopia.  When I met her for the first time 2 years ago, I remember how proud she was of the first designs we created together (including our popular Ella Necklace she proudly models below).  

She and her husband are HIV positive, yet Amleset and her family are thriving because of the wholistic support they receive from our partnership that cares for people living on Entoto Mountain.  It wasn’t easy for her to learn how to make jewelry, but she persevered.  This is her story in her own words:

“My family and I used to live in the city. We heard on TV about HIV. My husband was working for the military and was becoming sick a lot so he decided to go and get tested. He found out he was positive, then I found out I had it as well. Our kids were scared to go to school because of the stigma so we decided to sell everything and move to Entoto where there is no discrimination. Everyone has HIV/AIDS there so we are all the same. I used to beg on the mountain and I stayed there for the holy water {in hopes of being cure}. My life was very bad. Begging is like being dead.  I was living in death. My husband…started to help with the Entoto Project when they first came to the mountain. He introduced me to them. I am so thankful for the opportunity {to earn income}. Once I was frustrated because the jewelry making was very complicated.  I am changed because of this program and now I am called to help other human beings.  My heart and eyes are open. Now you can go into my home and there is food there. Thinking about this makes me want to cry. I know God helped you to help me and now I am changed.”

I love this photo of me with Amleset (far left) and some of the other fun ladies in our Ethiopia partnership.  They were so shy while making the designs, but when my husband asked to take a few photos of them with the designs we created, they came alive!  This was featured in the New York Times a few years ago. It’s definitely one of my favorite memories of what it looks like when women feel empowered through design!

(Many thanks to my handsome husband, Mr. Brandon Dickerson, for these great photos!)

Conversation with Sophia Lin

When I agreed to start a blog for Raven + Lily, I knew I wanted to do an entry about my dear friend and co-founder Sophia Lin. She is a beautiful person to the core, and I wish everyone had a chance to know her like I do. I could never have made it through many trials in my life without her, and I could never have started Raven + Lily without her partnership and dedication. The overall look of Raven + Lily from website, to logo, to products, to packaging has all been designed or directed by Sophia. She’s one talented lady, and that’s why she’s our CCO (Chief Creative Officer).  Here’s a little interview with Sophia so you can have a glimpse of what makes her tick:

Kirsten: What is your inspiration for starting Raven + Lily?

Sophia: I have always wanted to take my experience in the graphic design world and take it to a deeper level. To see how design can transform people’s lives in the most basic ways exemplifies design at it’s best. Also, the idea of doing something creative with my good friend Kirsten was something I couldn’t pass up!

Kirsten: As a graphic designer, who/what most inspires your creativity?

Sophia: My inspiration for design comes from all areas of my life- mainly architecture, interior design, travel, food, basically anything that has been designed well. Things that feed my creativity are sleep and good food. Some of my best ideas come to mind while I’m sleeping or over a good meal with a friend. I don’t watch tv so I have a good share of magazines and blogs that I love to read in the evening before going to bed. Seeing others get creative makes me excited and fuels my own creativity.

Kirsten: Where/what women do you hope Raven + Lily can partner with in the future?

Sophia: Being Taiwanese, I would love to partner with some empowerment programs in either Taiwan or China. There are so many traditional artisan skills in this area that I know with the backing of Raven + Lily, we could come up with some awesome designs.

Kirsten: What books and/or films have been an inspiration to you?

Sophia: Creating a World Without Poverty by Muhammad Yunus is a great book that truly inspires any entrepreneur to think outside the box. He challenges me to think of how to use commerce in a positive way to truly transform lives and make a difference. The Hole in Our Gospel by Rick Stearns is also a very powerful book that makes me analyze where I am spending my time and energy and for what purpose.

Kirsten: What inspires you as a mom and wife?

Sophia: My sister Yvonne inspires me to not sweat the small stuff as she’s always calm, cool and collected. My sister Gina inspires me to be organized and plan my meals for the week (which my husband enjoys). My sister Tiffany inspires me to go deeper in conversations and relationships. My good friend Kirsten inspires me to put my husband and kids as top priority through her example.

Kirsten: Aww…thanks, Sophia! I’m showing that last answer to my hubby! Ok, just a few more questions. What is your “dream day”…where would you be and what would you be doing?

Sophia: My dream day would be in San Francisco- to wake up without an alarm clock (which is usually my kids), a vanilla latte at the neighborhood coffeehouse while reading some design magazines, a spin class followed by a walk along the beach with my hubby and boys, lunch at the Ferry Building Marketplace, some window shopping, a dinner picnic overlooking the sunset, and a night out with my sisters or girlfriends (hopefully involving dessert, massages or both).

Kirsten: Can I come with you on your “dream day”. Sounds amazing! Any other questions I should ask? I’m tempted to ask how you satisfy your sweet tooth and look so good! ;)

Sophia: I love to eat so I really need to exercise or l’d weigh 500 lbs! I’m also addicted to spinning- it’s a party on wheels!

Kirsten: You crack me up, Sophia. Thanks so much for being willing to answer these questions! I’m so thankful for your friendship and partnership with Raven + Lily.

* Photo of Sophia by the amazing Kaysie Dorsey of Pixel Peach.  I think Sophia looks like a movie star from an epic Chinese film in this pic.  What a beauty!

Uzma’s Story

Every few weeks I’d like to introduce you to one of our artisans.  They are the beautiful women behind the scenes who make all the Raven + Lily designs. This week, meet Uzma from North India.  She is one of the many ladies who make our handmade notecards, and her story gives testimony to why I believe empowering women through design can really work!

Uzma says, “Here women can’t do anything so women don’t go out. We have to wear a burka, we have to keep quiet, we have to keep our distance from men. But at the design studio, we can come and go in freedom and the men there are like brothers. Lots of women ask and say they want to work like I do. Now, because someone has helped me, I want to help other women in need. Before starting this work, my life was difficult. My mother and father in law died and my husband had no profession. There was tension and fighting in our house. I prayed, ‘How can these problems be taken from us?’ A relative came and said there was a group in town hiring. My husband began working for them, then I was able to join and start working with the women there. The women are all happy and we all feel we can do the work.  The community used to see me and know that I was weak- I couldn’t eat properly and my clothes were old. Now, people know that we are doing well and we thank those who buy our products and God for this.”

When we launch our online store in a few weeks, you’ll be able to purchase our exclusive eco-friendly paper products made by beautiful Uzma!