Sustainability

Pakistan is a country with a lot of indigenous crafts from various villages. Each village and city has a language, a stitch, a color which is now becoming extinct. Our sustainable model celebrates craft, culture and community with inclusive communities using indigenous craft, hence Craft Stories -

Craft Stories was created by collaborating with refugee women living in Pakistan, with the goal of sustaining their work and keeping their craft alive. The brand works to protect heritage and support refugee communities by focusing on their skill development and mentoring them to develop entrepreneurial abilities. In turn this leads them to become productive members of society who are able sustain themselves and become independent.

"Every piece of jewelry has a special meaning to me personally because I know the stories of each and every person who has worked on The Craft Stories. They were not artisans and yet they were quick learners and mastered the craft in no time"- Huma Adnan.

Stories of hope, fashion, creativity and economic empowerment are the themes we subscribe to when it comes to refugees.

Craft Stories prides itself to create jobs and allows the artisan to become self sufficient and earn a dignified living. The project will continue to function on earned income. The brand originated on the premises of creating handcraft with women force who are otherwise not involved in any activity. They get a purpose in life and they look forward to contributing to their families. The community spirit, coming together as group to create something gives them a purpose to live. Our team of experts work locally with the refugees, manage designs, quality, production, supply chain, and logistics for refugee made product lines which in turn stimulates local economies.

ECONOMIC AND FINANCIAL SUSTAINABILITY IS VERY IMPORTANT FOR THE REFUGEE ARTISIAN TO BECOME SELF SUFFICIENT AND EARN A DIGNIFIED LIVING-

They are a part of the history of a place - we work together to preserve these legacies while creating space for innovative designs that speak to people who love craft and culture.

We have the power to make a difference by being responsible and taking positive action. This is their craft and they are the trailblazers in this.

“We are so used to considering refugees as victims and weak people, as people who are hungry and in need of shelter – and don’t get me wrong, they are often all these things – but they should not make us forget that these are people like you and me and all of us with potential and skills that need to be nurtured, with hopes and aspirations that have been trampled by history and by events and by other people. And I think that tonight, in this environment that is so different from refugee camps and settings that it would be good to give them honour and dignity as they deserve,” Mr Filipo Grandi speaking in Islamabad at the Craft Srories showcase.