We’re so excited to introduce you to Abby, the founder of Zuri Collection. The inspiration for Zuri came from the beautiful people and country of Tanzania. Abby spent about three months in Arusha, Tanzania a few years ago, and it has been in her heart ever since. One of the things that stuck with her was the poverty she saw. She learned that craft is the second biggest employer of women, but that there weren’t enough customers to really sustain, much less grow a business. Countless families were having trouble putting food on the table and paying for school fees. She couldn’t help but wonder what it would take to make a difference in the communities where she lived and worked. Abby knew it would take so little to make a difference in one life, but so much to make a difference on a larger scale. The enormity of the problem overwhelmed her, but she couldn’t unsee what she saw and she couldn’t say that she didn’t know anymore. So months after she returned to Chicago, Abby began thinking about what it would look like to start a business that would empower Artisans through fair trade. Fast forward many months, and in October 2016, Zuri’s first collection was launched!
Right now Zuri Collection is in their second season with Artisan partners in Tanzania, Kenya, and Peru. They carry skirts, bags, jewelry, and home goods. All of their products are handmade and fairly traded. She loves that her customers get to wear or display a story from across the globe, and that fashion can be used as a vehicle to connect us to something bigger than ourselves. She’s learned that we are all far more similar than we are different and our stories are more intertwined than we know. The global fashion industry is full of corruption, oppression, and greed, but with fair trade, we can change that story. Zuri offers consumers a different way to shop – one where we know and value the hands who made their purchases.
Abby is so excited (and we are too!) about her spring/summer collection because she has been able to partner with more groups, which means more impact! She loves our Mini Floral Skirts, and she thinks the Amboseli Tote is a must-have! It’s perfect for toting anything from beach gear to farmers market finds! She also can’t get enough of our hand-woven baskets! They add just the right about texture and tribal-chic for any home, room, or wall.
We know you love what you find!
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