Indigo Tie-Dye Tote - No. 1
Made in the Republic of Guinea
by artisan collaborators preserving traditional techniques
$ 68.00
Say hello to your new favorite tote bag. This beautiful indigo piece fuses Nordic design and traditional West-African craftsmanship. It features an interior pocket, knotted details, and perfect-length straps for a comfortable shoulder fit. Each purchase empowers artisan collaborators at TENSIRA in the Republic of Guinea.
Indigo Tote Bag | Fair Trade | The Little Market
As with all handmade items, no two pieces are the same. Variations in size, color, and design will occur.
Details
- Approximately 17" tall x 13" wide; 10" handle drop
- Materials: 100% cotton
- As with all handmade items, slight variations will occur
- Care Instructions: Machine wash separately at 86°F / 30°C.
Tensira
Based in the Republic of Guinea, Tensira is committed to creating sustainable income opportunities for craft communities within West Africa. It was founded by husband and wife duo, Hamidou Diallo and Tuulia Makinen Diallo, who blend Nordic design with traditional West African craftsmanship to create their beautifully unique linen collections. The organization is named after a small village that specializes in indigo dyeing, where Hamidou Diallo grew up. His mother was an artisanal indigo dyer for over four decades and became a key source of inspiration. Tensira currently supports more than 60 full-time artisan collaborators at its workshop in Conakry and works with dozens more independent craftspeople.
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THE TECHNIQUE
Artisan collaborators at Tensira preserve a time-honored indigo dyeing technique to create this collection. The textiles are hand-spun and hand-woven on traditional looms using 100 percent cotton. For all tie dye patterns, each stitch is sewn individually with a needle and thread. Nearly 3,600 ties are needed to create one meter of fabric.The vibrant blue dye is derived from the leaves of the indigotier plant, which grows in the mountainous region of Guinea. To prepare the dye, leaves are hand-picked, dried, ground, and compressed. The cushions are filled with 100 percent natural, non-treated kapok, a hypoallergenic tree fiber known for its lightweight and buoyant properties. Kapok is harvested from shells that fall from the tree at maturity. These raw materials are collected by a women’s trade association in the Kindia region.
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Republic of Guinea
Located in West Africa, the Republic of Guinea is bordered by Côte d’Ivoire, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Senegal, and Sierra Leone, with the Atlantic Ocean located to the west. Guinea features four geographic regions: Lower Guinea (which includes the coast and coastal plain), Fouta Djallon, Upper Guinea, and the Guinea Highlands.
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Fair Trade Products
Fair Trade is an approach to international trade centered around equitable partnerships, transparency and respect. It seeks to empower marginalized producers by providing them safe working conditions, fair pay, and a means to establish a sustainable business free from exploitation. As a member of the Fair Trade Federation, we are committed to the Fair Trade principles.
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