Introducing: Limited Release!
We are so excited to announce that starting with our first Limited Release on June 12, our handmade products will be sold in small batches.
We are so excited to announce that starting with our first Limited Release on June 12, our handmade products will be sold in small batches.
So, what does this mean?
- Each release includes a limited quantity of a brand new product
- Made with fabrics hand-selected in our local Zambian markets
- We will announce a date and time of release so that you can be ready to purchase
- Limited Release products will only be available ONCE (until the small batch is sold out)
Get Ready!
• • •
The first Limited Release is happening
Monday, June 12 at 9am EST
To shop this fun product, join us on Facebook, Instagram, or find it on our homepage at launch time!
Our Favorite Things
Summer is almost upon us, and we thought we’d share some of our favorite products from the Spring/Summer ‘17 line to kick off the season...
Summer is almost upon us, and we thought we’d share some of our favorite products from the Spring/Summer ‘17 line to kick off the season!
First up: Amy's Favorite (Our Founder)
The Regina Earrings
These earrings are so fun! Pair them with a little white dress, and you've got the perfect summer date night outfit.
Kathy's Favorite (Our Stateside Director)
Francis Shopper Tote
We can't think of anything this bag wouldn't be perfect for when it comes to your weekly to-do list. Groceries, workout clothes, toys for your little one, books for the beach — The Francis Shopper Tote is the perfect summer companion. AND the best part is that you can just roll one (or five) up and keep it in your glove compartment so you're never without one!
Meredith's Favorite (Our Creative Director)
Rabbecca Bag
The new Rabbecca Bag is such a perfect size — it's so easy to throw into any purse or weekender. I always get a little bit happier when I look into my bag and spot that cheery chitenge pattern!
Elina's Favorite (Our Zambia Director)
Mini Chikondi Elephant
This guy will always be on our favorites list. And the only thing cuter than a Chikondi Elephant is a MINI Chikondi Elephant (all of the heart eyes)!
Now that we’ve shared our faves, you share yours! We would love to know which CiH products you can’t live without.
Share your favorites using #MyClothedInHopeStyle
Feel the Love
When you purchase an item (ON SALE) from our Curated Valentine's Collection, YOU are telling a woman in Zambia that she is deeply, richly loved. That she matters so much to this world. And, of course, you're telling the person you're giving the gift to - your wife, sister, mother, best friend, yourself - how much they're loved too. It's just a win-win!
Happy February, friends!
We hope it's obvious by now that we love you a lot. And we love women in Zambia a lot. So what better way to celebrate the season of LOVE by spreading both messages at the same time?!
When you purchase an item (ON SALE) from our Curated Valentine's Collection, YOU are telling a woman in Zambia that she is deeply, richly loved. That she matters so much to this world. And, of course, you're telling the person you're giving the gift to - your wife, sister, mother, best friend, yourself - how much they're loved too. It's just a win-win!
Here's a sneak peek of a few items from our Curated Valentine's Collection. Order from this Collection before February 14th, and all items featured will be 25% off with code: FEELTHELOVE. You can shop it HERE!
With So Much Chikondi (Love),
Amy + the CiH Team
Summer Fun
"She wore wildflowers in her hair and joy in her heart."
“She wore wildflowers in her hair and joy in her heart”
“Today is the perfect day to be happy”
“Throw kindness around like confetti.”
“Life is the flower for which love is the honey”
“Always stay humble and kind.”
Happy Last Month of Summer! Save 25% off your purchase with code: LASTDAYS
Mirriam's Kids Need Shoes
Twinza and Temwani need shoes, but we won’t be providing them. We won’t be providing uniforms or backpacks or school supplies or anything like that.
Mirriam is the mom of 2 boys, Twinza in primary school and Temwani on his way to preschool (or baby class as it’s called in Zambia). In order for Mirriam’s boys to attend school, they each need a pair of black school shoes, a uniform, a backpack, and various school supplies, on top of the trimester tuition Mirriam will pay for them to attend community schools.
This can be quite a burden for Mirriam’s family, and will continue to be 16+ years from now when both boys are done with their schooling. In a community where rent money is hard to come by, this expense alone can cause much stress and cripple a family’s income.
Twinza and Temwani need shoes, but we won’t be providing them. We won’t be providing uniforms or backpacks or school supplies or anything like that.
Because we can provide a longer lasting solution, a dignifying solution to this ongoing need. Because we can change our ideas of charity through sustainable community development.
What we can do is give Mirriam the opportunity to earn an income through the production of our bow ties (since Mirriam is our bow tie queen). We can give Mirriam the business training and microloan to launch and successfully run her own business, not dependent on our bow tie sales. We can give her support, skills, resources, and a boost of confidence.
Because Mirriam is able. And she is the best person to give school shoes to her kids. Her boys will see their mom and dad confidently providing for them, furthering the unity of a healthy home. And Mirriam and her husband will have the joy and pride of meeting the needs of their family independently as capable and skilled parents.
Mirriam and Temwani (her youngest child)
A long-term win that keeps families together and forges a path of dignity. Did you know one bow tie led to so much goodness?
With Chikondi,
Amy
CiH Founder & Executive Director
P.S. Mirriam is the sole producer of our Eddington Bow Ties. If you buy one, you better believe she's the one who made it, and her kids are the ones who benefit. You can find her work here (and on sale!).
Empowering Through Design
At Clothed in Hope, we’re all about that empowerment. Sustainability, independence, affirming dignity, reminding women of their worth. We aim to empower in every facet of what we do, from teaching a skill (sewing), to providing knowledge needed to raise their children in the healthiest way, and even in the design of our products.
At Clothed in Hope, we’re all about that empowerment. Sustainability, independence, affirming dignity, reminding women of their worth. We aim to empower in every facet of what we do, from teaching a skill (sewing), to providing knowledge needed to raise their children in the healthiest way, and even in the design of our products.
We’ve found that this differentiates us from many similar cause-based, fair trade, sustainable “slow” fashion companies and nonprofits. Our design process isn’t directed by a highly-trained fashion designer. It’s a collaborative effort between the women in our program with the brilliant ideas they have that line up with product trends of the West.
Women in our program and vulnerable women in Zambia, are trained to just do, to fall in line with the rest, and to not hold an opinion. Creativity is way out of question. Fashion design? Even further from reality for the majority of vulnerable women.
But for us to give that creative space to a woman, to affirm her inner creative potential that no one has cared about before, that is empowering. For a woman to spend hours designing a beautiful product with her newfound skillset is to be vulnerable, giving the potential for rejection in her mind. But that’s not how the story goes.
A woman designs a product that is gorgeous, that is marketable to the Western market, that is well made, and from her very own creativity and heart. That product is purchased by YOU, the consumer who cares about how her product was made. And that sale speaks volumes to the CiH ladies.
It tells them, “You are capable.” “What you do matters.” “I see you.” “I support you.” “You are enough.” “You possess qualities that enrich this world.” “You are talented.”
All simple motivational phrases to many of us Westerners, but all phrases that are rarely, if ever, heard by the women in our program prior to joining our CiH family.
Your product really was designed by the women in our program. Your product really was produced by the person who wrote her name on your product. And your purchase really does empower women, breaking the cycle of poverty, one stitch at a time.
That power belongs to you- an incredible opportunity to better the life of a woman and affirm her dignity. What will you choose to do with it?
Patriciar with a her clutch design for the Fall 2015 Collection
The Spring/Summer 2015 Collection Tresa Bow Clutch, designed & produced by Tresa
Martha sewing her personally-designed suit to wear for her Graduation Ceremony this upcoming weekend
The Beauty Cuff in Seafoam, available now in our Shop. Designed & produced by Yvonne.