Copy of Mayamiko The Label
Established by Paola Masperi, Mayamiko The Label is an ethical and sustainable woman's wear and life style brand, producing clothes, accessories and homeware, lovingly made in Malawi by our team of tailors, pattern cutters and seamstresses. Our collections are cross-seasonal and are inspired by African artisanal traditions and prints, with ethical trading and sustainability at our core. Our collections are designed for the global modern woman, while giving ode to their birthplace through the use of traditional African techniques and local printed fabrics, locally referred to as Chitenje.
As we continue to grow, our vision is to bring you a lovingly designed selection of unique products, made by handpicked artisans all over the globe. At the moment you can choose from embroidery from Sri Lanka, handloom from Myanmar, reclaimed jewellery from Laos and upcycled silk from Italy. Visit our Products page for more information.
We strongly believe that ethical and sustainable production is the only acceptable way of producing, and feel that shopping ethically should not compromise the quality or design of the product but rather enhance and add value to it.
OUR STORY & PARTNERSHIP WITH MAYAMIKO TRUST
Mayamiko works in partnership with Mayamiko Trust, a charity set up by Paola in 2008 after her extensive travels in Africa. Mayamiko aims to help the most disadvantaged people in Malawi by nurturing their creative talents and turning them in to sustainable activities that could be transferable to trade practices. Lifting people out of poverty and towards a better future.
The Charity and brand work together through the Mayamiko Fashion Lab where our garments are made. The Mayamiko Fashion Lab was designed to provide training, education, nutrition, sanitation and fairer trade practices to all of those involved. The project currently provides training in sewing and tailoring as well as financial and business skills to local, disadvantaged women, many of whom are affected by the HIV pandemic or who are carers of HIV orphans. After their training all trainees receive a recognised qualification as well as mentoring, guidance and access to a micro-finance scheme, enabling them to start their own business.
However, many graduates choose to stay and work with us (yay!) Mayamiko The Label helps to keep graduates and local staff in employment, paying living wages and adhering to our Ethical Promise. We also fully fund the workshop activities and reinvest in the growth of our workshops, so that more people can be employed and lifted out of poverty. Additionally we make a donation of £1 for each garment sold directly to Mayamiko Trust. Since the label was established, with have donated over £20,000 to Mayamiko Trust.
Our passion for women and the desire to support them as they reach their full potential has also activated us to make a difference in a new way.
Did you know that girls can miss out up to 4 days of education a month because they don't have access to feminine hygiene products? No one should have to suffer and be disadvantaged by their body’s natural cycle.
Working with Mayamiko Trust, we make reusable sanitary kits that have been part crafted with scrap fabric from the Mayamiko workshop, as well as lovely organic cotton for the parts of the pad in direct contact with the body.
This not only gives young women a safe and hygienic option during their period but it also helps Mayamiko The Label to achieve their Zero Waste Goals. Each kit is designed to help women live quality days while menstruating and each kit is handcrafted with care. You can help us make a difference too: it only takes £2.00 to pay for a recyclable pad which can transform a girl's life and we are committed to doubling any pad donation we receive, on top of our ongoing commitment.
As a member of the Ethical Fashion Forums 'Fellowship 500' and supporters of the Fashion Revolution movement, we are actively leading as innovators and trend-setters within the global fashion industry. We have been recognised for our work ‘Changing Lives’ and as ‘Brand to Watch’ by industry awards, and we have also been shortlisted for Vogue Italia's Eco Talents Scouting showing our work at Dubai Mall. Vogue USAcalled Mayamiko out for Earth Day 2017 as one of the three brands that prove that 'ethical fashion doesn't need to be drab'. We are also a proud member of Textile Exchange, a global non-profit that works closely with our members to drive industry transformation in preferred fibers, integrity and standards and responsible supply networks.
WITH LOVE FROM MALAWI & THE MAYAMIKO TEAM
OUR ETHICAL PROMISE
