MarketPlace: Handwork of India is a women-owned innovative fair trade, not-for-profit organization increasing economic opportunities for low-income women in India and empowering them to bring about changes in their lives, their families and communities.
Since 1986, when 2 sisters Pushpika Freitas and Lalita Monteiro founded MarketPlace in India, we have been working with over 14 co-operatives consisting of 480 artisans, most of whom are women, who produce high-quality women’s apparel, accessories and home décor products.
“Leadership through Design” sums up MarketPlace’s strategy, whereby the artisans are involved in every aspect of production, including dyeing the fabrics, sewing the products, and choosing a theme for the catalog. These groups emphasize democratic decision-making, promotion from within and every artisan having a say and stake in the direction of the company.
The message ‘Dignity, Not Charity’ is sewn in each item of apparel and home décor that MarketPlace produces. MarketPlace offers no handouts. All of the artisans are trained to become self sufficient, resulting in newfound confidence and self-respect.
MarketPlace is well recognized in the Fair Trade Movement and was one of the founding members of the Fair Trade Federation and a member of the International Federation for Alternative Trade.
This spring MarketPlace features a beautiful palette, complemented by refreshing styles, intricate embroidery and hand printed fabrics. The garments are versatile and will appeal to a wide range of women with different tastes.
