As we celebrate International Women’s Day, we are proud to shine a light on the incredible women behind our collections — the talented artisans who craft each piece by hand, weaving not only natural fibres but also hope, dignity, and opportunity into every product.

Today, we invite you to step into their world.

In the videos we’re sharing below, you’ll meet some of the inspiring women who create our baskets, wall hangings, rugs and decorative pieces. You’ll see their skilled hands at work, sitting with their fellow artisans in community spaces, sharing stories, laughter and life. And, most importantly, you’ll hear them speak — about their lives, their families, and the profound changes that fair and reliable work has brought to them. Through their stories, we are reminded that empowering women uplifts entire communities.

Work that empowers, work that transforms

For these women, being able to work from home or within their local communities means so much more than financial independence. It means sending their children to school, often the very first in their families to receive an education. It means investing in safe, secure homes — no longer vulnerable to the elements or at risk of displacement. It means gaining respect within their families and communities, their voices carrying more weight in household decisions and their contributions recognised with pride.

This transformation is especially significant when we consider the strength and resilience these women have shown within their traditional patriarchal society, where opportunities for girls and women have long been limited. Many of our artisan partners were denied the chance to attend school themselves, as girls were typically married off as young as 13, no longer seen as a financial burden on their families once they joined their husband’s household. The belief that a girl didn’t need an education if her future was to revolve around marriage, motherhood, and caring for extended family, was deeply ingrained.

Today, this way of thinking is slowly shifting — thanks in part to the opportunities these women now have to work, earn a fair wage, and contribute financially to their families. With this income comes greater agency. They are choosing to educate their own daughters, determined to break the cycle and ensure their girls are not seen as a burden, but as individuals with value, voice and potential. 

The power of fair and dignified work extends far beyond income — it is creating a cultural shift, where women and girls are seen not only as caretakers but as contributors, decision-makers, and changemakers.

Celebrating their strength, resilience and creativity

This International Women’s Day, we celebrate not only the beautiful products these women create, but also their strength, resilience and creativity. We honour their journeys — from facing barriers to breaking them down — and we are endlessly inspired by the ways they are shaping brighter futures for themselves and their children.

As you watch their stories, we hope you feel the same sense of connection, appreciation and responsibility that we do. Every purchase you make with us plays a part in this ongoing story — a story of women’s empowerment, artisan traditions and global connection.

Together, let’s choose products and practices that honour women, respect their skilled hands, and recognise the importance of fair pay in building brighter futures.

Jharna Das

“I struggled a lot in this lifetime. But, I was happy to work through it. I like working hard. When I work, I feel happy. If I don’t have work, I feel frustrated. My work gave me a future. When you have a job, you feel great doing everything. You feel like you can achieve your dreams. You can choose what you like. You can learn whatever you want to learn.”

Gauri Mandal

“By working with Torulota I was able to earn and send my kids to school. I am also able to support my family. In my family, I was of no importance but now everyone respects me. They take my opinion seriously. I hope my children will finish their studies and fulfill all their dreams.”

Beauty Biswash

“I took a loan to open a small shop alongside my work. Now, I manage both my craft and my shop. This work has given me stability. I don’t have personal savings, but my children are my savings and investment. Through this work, I have built a house. We, the producers, were once poor, but this work has given us opportunities and a sustainable income.”