What a Year!

Truly 2012 was an incredible year.   We can look back over this past year with deep gratitude for all the growth, accomplishments, and people involved in helping to make our dream to empower women through design a success!  I thought it would be fun take a quick journey through the year’s highlights: 

The “Fantastic Lori Fox” joined the Raven + Lily team as our lead designer.  Moving from the heart of LA to the heart of TX, Lori has done an incredible job overseeing our collections handmade by our partnerships around the world!

We started receiving some wonderful PR including Fast Company, Good Housekeeping, People’s Stylewatch, Redbook, Glamour, Women’s Health, and tons more.  

Austin Fashion week gave us the “Golden Boot” in recognition for being a “rising star” in the fashion world!

We launched our newest partnerships supporting HIV+ women in CAMBODIA (pic: Sophia and I visiting the families of the artisans that make our new hand-loomed bags and eco-friendly tees)…

and hand-loomed and hand knit scarves empowering women in ETHIOPIA (pic: modeling our hand-knit scarves while visiting beautiful “Desta Mender”, the rehab center for women recovering from fistula)…

and locally supporting refugees in AUSTIN (pic: Rachel and I modeling our infinity scarves made from designer remnants)…

and finally partnering with formerly homeless women in LOS ANGELES (pic: our lovely hand-poured soy candles).  So grateful to be part of the redemptive stories happening in all these women’s lives.

This past fall, our very first Ambassador Design trip was a huge success, and we’ll soon be launching the S/S lookbook and video connected to our wonderful adventures together in Africa.  

Receiving the Classy Award for “Philanthropic Business of the Year” was definitely the icing on the cake for 2012. What a joy to accept the award in honor of all the amazing women around the world that make our designs!

Overall, it was indeed a wonderful year filled with opportunities to trust God to provide and then many opportunities to give Him thanks for doing so.  Thank you for being part of our journey through your support, encouragement, and purchases.  We can hardly wait to see what unfolds for 2013 (and we can hardly wait to share all the new collections….so beautiful, just like the women who made them.)

Here’s to a new year and new opportunities to see more women break the cycle of poverty and thrive!

Desta Mender: “Village of Joy”

I’ve had a few experiences in life when I’m filled with a strong sense of peace and God’s presence.  Those times have always been when I’ve encountered either the beauty of God’s creation or the grace of God when serving the poor.  On my recent trip to Ethiopia, I had such an experience that encompassed both. When visiting the amazing women in our newest partnership at Desta Mender (translated as “Village of Joy”), I was overwhelmed with the love, care, and beauty that surrounded this place. 

It was a slice of heaven. A glimpse of what eternity will look like…where the most unloved and forgotten are the most loved and valued.  Where God displays his kindness through both nature and people.  Where broken lives are made whole.

I’m so humbled to partner with the efforts of the Desta Mender rehabilitation program, a division of the Hamlin Fistula Hospital in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.  I’ve read about obstetric fistula in a chapter of Nicolas Kristof’s “Half the Sky.”  I’ve been brought to tears by the documentary “A Walk to Beautiful” more than once.  And now, I’ve met these women who make our hand-knit scarves while they rebuild their lives after suffering so immensely.  (If you don’t know about obstetric fistula, then please read or watch the above mentioned or click here to learn more.  Warning: It will break your heart.)

Utilizing hand spun Ethiopian cotton sourced from a local non-profit that employs people with leprosy, these amazing and brave women knit hundreds of gorgeous scarves for Raven + Lily this fall.

They are so grateful for the work.  I’m am so grateful for the opportunity to know them and share these beautiful scarves with the world.  When I wear my beautiful teal scarf, I feel like I’m wearing hope.  Maybe you’d like to wear hope too.  I highly recommend it.

**Note: out of respect for the women, I’m not specifically sharing their photos or stories.  The photos of women knitting scarves are by Sara Forrest Photography.  Please use the links in the post to learn more. Thank you!

2012 Fall/Winter Collection: Enchanting Cambodia

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 .