Hi Sheenagh, tell us a little more about the philosophy behind Maison Bengal and how the idea came about.

The idea of starting a fair-trade company began when I lived in Bangladesh in the early 2000s, working in family planning and reproductive health. Poverty was the underlying cause of so many of the issues affecting the women I worked with. In many cases poverty denied them basic human rights such as access to education, nutrition, rights, decision-making, choices and of course life opportunities. At the same time, I was struck by the high level of artisanal skills I had seen while travelling around Bangladesh in weaving, macrame and basket making. Providing women with an income for these skills, very often for the first time in their lives, was the driving force in creating Maison Bengal.

We’d love to learn about the unique aesthetic of your brand -up close and personal with each bag you can really see the beauty and craftsmanship -the little variations make each piece extra special.

All our products are made by hand, relying on traditional artisanal skills in weaving, basket making and macrame, and only using the local raw materials jute and hogla (indigenous sea-grass) found in plentiful supply throughout Bangladesh. Our products are simple, practical, and hard wearing, with a natural aesthetic. Maison Bengal works with three local Bangladeshi NGOs all with specialist knowledge in poverty alleviation through training in handicraft production. Our style is defined by simplicity and functionality, while celebrating the beauty of artisanal production.

Could you share some insights into the NGO’s and what that means for your workforce?

Maison Bengal has been working with three fair trade NGOs in Bangladesh for nearly twenty years, and over that time we have established very good working relations based on trust, transparency, and mutual understanding. Fair Trade means not only that we pay a fair wage for all products, but also ensuring that we and our partners comply with an array of environmental, labour and health standards. Fair trade helps to build resilience among vulnerable communities to help them address current and future challenges.

We are now carrying a selection of 6 Maison Bengal styles and the aesthetic fits in so seamlessly with our wider collection making the pieces slot right in amongst well-loved wardrobes.

Our range from MamaOwl is all made from jute, one of most environmentally friendly plants that exist. The jute cord is dyed by hand and then woven by hand, using very traditional handlooms. The fabric design is either suggested by Maison Bengal to our supplier or designed by a local designer working in Bangladesh.

It feels like a seamless partnership because both of our customers are deeply mindful of the provenance of the products they buy, and their impact on people and the planet. We develop new products every year, but we are not a fashion brand and therefore we do not reinvent the wheel every year. Indeed, some of our best-selling products have been so for well over 10 years.

Thank you so much for your time today Sheenagh -it’s been great to learn a little more about Maison Bengal -We are so pleased to be working together.

Thank you and likewise! We hope that customers who purchase our bags do so in the full knowledge they are supporting a brand that is committed to responsible sourcing and production.