Mayamiko Designed (The Label) is a social enterprise, based in Malawi, as was established by Paola Masperi.
Mayamiko The Label is an ethical and sustainable woman’s wear and life style brand, producing clothes, accessories and homeware,made in Malawi by a team of tailors, pattern cutters and seamstresses.
The collections are cross-seasonal and are inspired by African artisanal traditions and prints, with ethical trading and sustainability at our core.
Mayamiko’s collections are designed for the global modern woman, while giving ode to their birthplace through the use of traditional African techniques and local printed fabrics, locally referred to as Chitenje.
As mayamiko grows, Paola’s vision is to bring you a lovingly designed selection of unique products, made by handpicked artisans all over the globe. At the moment you can choose from embroidery from Sri Lanka, handloom from Myanmar, reclaimed jewellery from Laos and upcycled silk from Italy.
ABOUT MAYAMIKO TRUST
Mayamiko works in partnership with Mayamiko Trust, a charity set up by Paola in 2008 after her extensive travels in Africa. Mayamiko aims to help the most disadvantaged people in Malawi by nurturing their creative talents and turning them in to sustainable activities that could be transferable to trade practices. Lifting people out of poverty and towards a better future.
The Charity and brand work together through the Mayamiko Fashion Lab where the garments are made.
The Mayamiko Fashion Lab was designed to provide training, education, nutrition, sanitation and fairer trade practices to all of those involved.
The project currently provides training in sewing and tailoring as well as financial and business skills to local, disadvantaged women, many of whom are affected by the HIV pandemic or who are carers of HIV orphans.
After their training all trainees receive a recognised qualification as well as mentoring, guidance and access to a micro-finance scheme, enabling them to start their own business.
Many graduates choose to stay and work with Mayamiko, and The Label helps to keep graduates and local staff in employment, paying living wages and adhering to their Ethical Promise. Mayamiko makes a donation of £1 for each garment sold directly to Mayamiko Trust.
Since the label was established, Mayamiko have donated over £20,000 to Mayamiko Trust. Talk about Fashion for Charity.
Personally, I am in love with their fabrics and I am so excited to be having them dress me for the show.
I will be sharing more of my outfits from Mayamiko on the blog. I totally love my outfits for this season (how cute is this jumpsuit?) and cannot wait to see how much more we can do together.
For more details about Mayamiko, check out their website or find them on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.
All my love,
Ntha
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