west elm + Aid to Artisans

At west elm, we love design partnerships that make a positive difference.  Our ongoing collaboration with Aid to Artisans for example, helps create economic opportunities for artisan groups where livelihoods and craft traditions are at risk.  By linking artisans with new markets and buyers, ATA helps generate lasting employment for thousands of low-income people worldwide.

In collaboration with ATA, we worked with Eco Tasar and Masuta (an Indian women’s yarn cooperative based in the ancient silk region of Baghalpur) to create our collection of hand spun, hand woven and hand loomed Tasur silk pillow covers.  Hand weaving is the oldest continuous art form in India, and as such generates income for literally millions of rural Indian families. However, the rapid spread of technology and industrialization threatens to make the hand weaving industry obsolete. To help sustain the livelihoods and traditions of these weavers, west elm will continue to partner with ATA to source and create exceptional handmade products for the home.

Please consider west elm + Aid to Artisans design for your clients. In addition to their authenticity and beauty, these products help support the global artisan community. For more information on Aid to Artisans, please visit, www.aidtoartisans.org.

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