Shop to impact in in south-west Bangladesh
The beautiful and durable hand-crafted jute “word-bags” from The Jacksons are a joyous outcome of the design collaboration between Louise and the skilful handicraft workers in south-west Bangladesh. The partnership began in 2012 and The Jacksons are now working closely with over 5'000 women in Bangladesh in an area where there are few job opportunities for them.
The Jacksons are doing more than just designing and creating a brand: they are striving to help overcome poverty and improve the women’s social standing. They now have access to free medical care and schools through this collaboration. The artisan women are paid directly which gives them independence and status, empowering them to make decisions within the family. A large percentage are educating their daughters up to sixth form and some are going to university. This was impossible only six years ago.
How are the bags made?
Jute is known as the ‘golden fibre’ of Bangladesh; it is 100% plant based and it has great flexibility and strength. In fact the bags can carry up to 14 kilos! This “macrame” hand technique relies entirely on the women’s expertise. They work in their own homes fitting in with family life, the jute plant is harvested by hand using centuries old methods. No machines are used, only the talented hands. They untangle and clean the raw jute, spin it with their fingers and tidy up with scissors, dye what is required with azo free colours, then knot the bags to our carefully crafted designs.
Shop our The Jacksons "word-bags" to support women in rural villages in Bangladesh.
