A few days ago, Clare Lissaman, a friend of mine and director of Arthur & Henry (whose ethically-made shirts I've written about here), told me about some lambswool scarves she'd added to their website.
I loved the colours and the story behind their manufacture by a group of very special women in India. Here's their story, told by Clare:
"Our scarves are all 100% fine lambswool, spun and woven for us by the women of the Panchachuli co-operative in the Himalayas. All profits are ploughed back into the organisation with the objective of increasing opportunities for rural women to receive training, gain employment and earn a livelihood for themselves and their families through the hand loom way of life.
Founded in 1997, the co-operative now has over 700 women whose lives and livelihoods have been transformed through being part of Panchachuli. Mukti Dutta, who founded it over a decade ago, has this to say:
Here in the hills, society is still very, very male dominated. Life is extremely tough for women despite the increase in upward mobility these days. There is a lot of alcoholism, most of the men are away working in towns, so the women are left to fend for themselves. There is also a lot of sexual abuse and domestic violence. So it is a very difficult life for these women and Panchachuli has shown them a path out of hopelessness; that there is something you can do to get out of this rut, as it were. So many women come here in very desperate conditions asking for a job.
We love these scarves, not just because of the story, but because the quality of the workmanship is so high."
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| The women of Panchachuli |
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| The women of Panchachuli spinning |
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| The women of Panchachuli at their looms |
