GAIA

Each purchase empowers women who have resettled as refugees in the United States.

LOCATion: Dallas, TExas

Technique: Handwoven + Handmade with leatherwork

partners: since 2016

GAIA

GAIA has been dedicated to empowering resettled women through employment, encouragement, and dedication to their long-term success in the United States. They have transformed vintage and artisan-made textiles into home and personal accessories, with a focus on sustainability and quality design.

They sew bags, pouches, and accessories as they rebuild their lives. While some of the women have had previous sewing skills, others have an opportunity to engage in training to create these pieces while working with different textiles. Many of the women have had the flexibility to sew from home using smaller machines, which allows them to also take care of their children and household responsibilities on a flexible schedule. Most of the vintage and recycled textiles come from around the world. The leather tassel keychains are made from genuine suede and lambskin leather as well as with brass lobsters and brown leather loops. The artisans cut the leather, roll the materials carefully, and then glue them together.

These skilled women are a diverse group of individuals from locations including Burma, Tunisia, Democratic Republic of Congo, and Iraq. Through a living wage, training, and development, GAIA’s goal has been to help lead these resilient women to financial independence and self-sufficiency.

Each purchase empowers women who have resettled as refugees in the United States.

LOCATED IN: Dallas, Texas

Technique:Handwoven + Handmade with leatherwork

partners: since 2016

gaia

GAIA has been dedicated to empowering resettled women through employment, encouragement, and dedication to their long-term success in the United States. They have transformed vintage and artisan-made textiles into home and personal accessories, with a focus on sustainability and quality design.

They sew bags, pouches, and accessories as they rebuild their lives. While some of the women have had previous sewing skills, others have an opportunity to engage in training to create these pieces while working with different textiles. Many of the women have had the flexibility to sew from home using smaller machines, which allows them to also take care of their children and household responsibilities on a flexible schedule. Most of the vintage and recycled textiles come from around the world. The leather tassel keychains are made from genuine suede and lambskin leather as well as with brass lobsters and brown leather loops. The artisans cut the leather, roll the materials carefully, and then glue them together.

These skilled women are a diverse group of individuals from locations including Burma, Tunisia, Democratic Republic of Congo, and Iraq. Through a living wage, training, and development, GAIA’s goal has been to help lead these resilient women to financial independence and self-sufficiency.

artisans at Gaia

explore the collection