Empowering jewellery’s from Kenya, South Africa and Mexico

Who doesn’t want to wear jewellery that comes with a story? A story about handcraft, traditions, culture and empowerment. About women who believed in their idea and now run their own brand with creative artist in their communities. Jewellery who’s sustainability profile is not only about the materials, but also include the designers and workers perspectives.

Here are some favourites I got to know through White Label Project - a platform with the purpose to empower brands and help them expand to a global market.

Caralarga

Founded by Ana Holschneider where the design process is lead by María del Socorro Gasca Chalqueño and Inés Hernandez Estrada. Raw cotton fibers from an historical site is used and 12 local women are employed.

Pichulik

Founded by Katherine-Mary Pichulik in 2012 in Cape Town. All materials are sourced within Africa while the design pieces are made in Woodstock, Cape Town. All materials are carefully collected for sustainability reasons where for example overruns of Polypropylene rope (PPM) are used (comes mainly from the sailing industry). 13 local women are employed.

SOKO

Founded by Gwendolyn Floyd, Catherine Mahugu, and Ella Peinovich in 2012. Soko is a jewellery brand and manufacturing platform providing market access to more than 2300 artisans in 282 workshops across Kenya. Soko uses technology via a mobile app based virtual factory through which artisans directly receive orders and payments. Many jewelers earn up to four times what they would normally earn, thanks to selling through Soko.