Submitted by Malia Designs
Malia Designs is a socially responsible fair trade brand that designs and sells handbags. Our products are handcrafted in Cambodia and every Malia purchase helps to fight human trafficking. The mission of Malia Designs is the same today as it was when we started out 11 years ago.
Our aim is to provide economic opportunities for Cambodian women and to support organizations that fight human trafficking. Here are three ways we work to accomplish this mission:
- Our products are made by fair trade producer groups that employ marginalized people in Cambodia, primarily at-risk women and the disabled. Our producers are paid a living wage in safe and fair conditions, and complete their work at home as well as in small workshops. Services like on-site day-care, medical check-ups and over-time pay are offered.
- We have high quality, fashion forward products that are geared toward the Western market. The Western market = YOU! Our design philosophy combines function and fashion. We want you to choose our products based on their design in addition to the fact that they do great things for people and the planet as a bonus (a BIG one)!
- We raise awareness about and donate to organizations fighting human trafficking. Together with Stop Traffick, our philanthropic arm, we have donated over $135,000 to organizations in Cambodia and Chicago that fight human trafficking. Each piece of our three pronged approach is a critical part of who we are and what we do!
We are so excited to team up with Free the Slaves to support the great work they are doing to fight human trafficking. For the month of July we’ll donate 20 percent of our profits from online retail sales to Free the Slaves when you enter code freetheslaves at checkout.
Editor’s note: Malia Designs is one of 12 ethical fashion brands that have teamed up with Free the Slaves in July for our 25 Days of Fashion Against Slavery summer campaign.
