We first met Susan Ma back in 2012 when her idea to create a business that could touch as many women around the world as possible, was just that, an idea.
Now, two years on, she has launched Women Worldwide – an online eCommerce platform that was developed to uncover hidden female, design talent across the globe through fair trade.
We sat down to talk to Susan about the concept behind Women Worldwide and what we can expect in the future…
Grazia Daily: Hi Susan, can you tell us a bit about the concept behind WW?
Susan: “We're the first UK fair trade company that supports women from all walks of life, whilst curating a range of products that blend western aesthetics with traditional handcraft skills creating exclusive design led handmade products. We provide the platform for women to sell their handmade products, to start their own business and monetize it. “
Grazia Daily: Why did you decide to focus on women in poverty?
Susan: “My personal mantra is to ‘make the most of the space you occupy’. I want to do everything I can with the power and resources available to me to make a difference. For me I'm passionate about helping women, which is why we set out to work with women artisans. On a macro level, investing in women and girls is the most powerful way to address global poverty. In many parts of the world, women still have very little or no voice at all and face a myriad of adversities. By working with women to help them earn their own income, more opportunities become available which encourage women to have a bigger voice.”
Grazia Daily: Now you’ve launched what’s next for WW?
Susan: “We're just finding our feet and have introductory collections in jewellery, scarves, bags, bath & body, homeware, men and gifts. We're working with co-operatives in South America, Africa, Eastern Europe and Asia. We've worked very hard to find the women artisan groups that are on our site, and we're still actively looking for new products and artisans to continue through Spring/Summer 2015.”
Grazia Daily: Where would you like to see WW in a year’s time?
Susan: “The future involves pop ups, collaborative design with the co-operatives we work with, our own label of design led products and culminating in international fair trade conferences where consumers meet the producers.”
Take a look at the gallery below for our pick of the perfect, feel good Chrismtas gifts to shop now.
Women Worldwide
Women Worldwide
Beaded Fabric Necklace, £32.00: Derived from the Desert Collection, paper beads from upcycled magazines are with a classic African fabric fastening creating a stunning bold look. Handmade from locally sourced waste magazines by the women of Swaziland. Each piece is unique and therefore the product may vary slightly from the description and photo.
Women Worldwide
Wristlet Clutch Bag, £63.00: A gorgeous wristlet of original elegance with a decorative barrilete (kite) on the front. The cotton panel is woven on a back strap loom, contrasting against the soft brown suede. The bag is designed to fold to shape the wristlet. The lined cotton interior features an open pocket. Pink and green pompoms as well as aged brass studs complete the design. The bag folds closed with a magnetic button.
Women Worldwide
Golden Raw Silk Scarf, £130.00: Soft enough to be used as a thick scarf and wide enough to wrap around your shoulders for an elegant evening. The golden color is naturally occurring without the use of tints or dyes. It is completely hand crafted from the harvesting of the silk to the weaving of the fabric.
Women Worldwide
Norwegian Selbu Mittens - Blue & White - Men's, £39.99: This is a pair of lovely, warm mittens in traditional Norwegian design featuring the Selbu rose. Norwegian woolens with a Selbu rose origniate from the small municipality of Selbu in Norway. Handmade by a knitter with decades of experience.100% merino wool that is ethically sourced.
Women Worldwide
Classic Round 32cm - 4 set, £25.00: Gorgeous and elegant, this soulful hand woven placemat takes traditional weaves into a contemporary context. Perfect for dressing up your dining table, made up of bold circular colours of black, natural, chocolate brown and a white centre. Worked with local natural fibres, the Lutindzi grass is sustainably harvested from the rocky outcrops of the Swaziland mountains.
Women Worldwide
Shea Joy Soap Bar, £4.50: Fragrance: Geranium & Lemongrass- A delicately scented blend of essential oils, lightly floral and a little bit of citrus. Geranium Essential Oil gives the light floral note which is complimented with Lemongrass and Patchouli Essential oils. This highly moisturising bar of soap, with 50% unrefined shea butter will leave your skin feeling soft and fresh