Made: Jewellery & Bags handcrafted in Kenya
In a nutshell:
What do they sell? Beautifully handmade & affordable jewellery & bags.
Why are they so great? Made is dedicated to providing a stable and respectful production chain in Nairobi, Kenya, where workers’ skills are honoured & sustainable materials are favoured.
Both style & responsible production are at the heart of Made’s accessories, bringing us the beautiful fruits of traditional Kenyan craftsmanship.
The full story:
Who is Made?
Made is a jewellery & bag designer and manufacturer whose products are all handmade in Kenya. Their beautiful pieces are made using time-honoured skills and favour sustainable materials. What’s more, if you like simple but striking, geometric designs that will go with just about anything (which I do), you’re going to love Made’s jewellery.
Each piece in Made’s collections is unique because it is hand made by a highly skilled artisan. Their ambition is that as well as looking great, each item you buy from Made also tells a story of lives made better through sustainable, responsible production that supports the traditions of the communities where the products are made, rather than exploiting them.
Made produces fashionable & versatile jewellery & bags which can honestly claim to be made with love.
Why is what they do important?
Made believes in making their business an organic and positive force in the community in which their workshop is based in Kenya. They invest in their employees by providing training and sustainable jobs within their workshop, making sure that their business produces nothing but opportunities and stability for the people who live in that area, which cannot be said for many high street brands.
This philosophy extends to how they source their raw material: they use mainly reclaimed brass and trade with local people at fair prices, to ensure that nobody is exploited along the line.
Made makes it their business to help peoplefind long-term and rewarding jobs, and the buyer gets to share the beautiful fruits of their expert craftsmanship, and wear jewellery from a truly different & inspiring company. As they put it themselves, the want to ‘create positive change through fair trade and ethical practices’. Sounds pretty good to me.
Where can I find them?
Take a look at Made’s website here and read their story in more detail, and follow them on Instagram. They’re also available to buy on asos.
