Style That Gives Back: Thanda Zulu Beaded Jewelry
Last week we kicked off our series focusing on Fair Trade trend items
and we're thrilled to be back again with our second installment. The
Fair Trade community is an exciting and inspiring one and every item has
its own background. This week we're showcasing a set of magnificent
beaded bracelets from Thanda Zulu, a socially conscious design company
that brings hope to the rural communities of South Africa. Their
jewelry, made by some of the most talented beaders in the world, has
been featured in Nylon and InStyle . Most importantly, however, the
women who craft these exquisite pieces are able to fully support their
families and donate the remaining proceeds to Thanda After-School
programs. They are given a hand-up, and not a hand-out. Keep reading to
learn more about their story.
Thanda Zulu was founded in 2005 as a means of supporting South African
artisans and beaders. It also helped fund the work of Thanda, a
non-profit organization of Orphans Against AIDS, which address high HIV
infection rates, education, and excessively high unemployment rates in
Umtwalume, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. The women of the Zulu Beadwork
Project craft all of Thanda Zulu's jewelry and they are, without a
doubt, some of the most skilled beaders in the world.
Each product is carefully crafted with both pride and love and anyone
lucky enough to purchase one of these items, takes a little piece of
Africa home with them. Beaded jewelry is a trend we absolutely LOVE for
Summer 2012 and Thanda Zulu pieces combine a classic sense of design
with contemporary color palettes. The skills these artisans possess have
been passed down through the generations and the end result is a
beautiful thing. The real beauty, however, is the support these
products provide for the rural communities of South Africa.
Look good. Do good. Feel good. Can style get any better?
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