We are proud to introduce Global Mamas line of bags to our collection of Fair Trade products. Global Mamas provides women in Ghana, West Africa the opportunity to improve their standard of living with dignity by promoting their traditional crafts. This is made possible because Global Mama’s reduces the economic inequality of women by significantly increasing the revenues and profits of woman-owned businesses in Africa. This in turn increases employee wages, generates new jobs and improves the standard of living. They believe that helping women gain economic independence is the most effective way to reduce dependence on foreign aid and steadily create a prosperous society. Women are provided a “living wage” - over 10 times Ghana’s minimum wage. Members are paid upfront for completed products and receive financial assistance through a raw materials revolving loan fund. This leaves more proceeds to fill the pockets of the women producers which in turn promotes their social equality and gives them much needed economic security and stability.

Currently we are carrying Global Mamas “This Bag is Rubbish!” line. These totes, messenger bags, market bags, and zip wallets are made from recycled plastic. 270 tons of plastic waste is generated daily in Ghana, 85% from non-biodegradable bags containing purified water and ice cream! Recycling plastic helps create a healthier environment and generates jobs for many Africans. Each bag is unique because of the different plastic used. What makes these bags even more unique is that the labeling from the original product the plastic came from is visible. We know you will have as much fun reading (and wearing) these labels from half a world away as much as we do!

Leigh Young, designer and owner of Pandemonium Millinery in Seattle, WA, has created some of the classiest, handcrafted hats and scarves we have ever found. Leigh uses luxurious faux furs, velvets, and “cuddly furs” (a SUPER soft material) in a variety of colour combinations to achieve a fashion forward winter hat. Young lives in a 1920’s era home and her taste for the time period is easily recognizable in her designs.

Young opened Pandemonium as a custom clothing house in 1992. The struggling new designer worked for various Seattle area designers, including a lead designer for the Vegas show company Greg Thompson Productions. There she helped to create headdresses and costumes, all while producing her own line in her spare time. She eventually began working with local millinery, Leone Ewoldt of WE Hats. It was then that she found her true passion - designing hats. Under Ewoldt she gained a solid understanding of millinery design and manufacturing.

In 1997 Young left her steady design jobs and began devoting all of her energy into Pandemonium. As her popularity has blossomed she has added scarves providing a fashionable accessory to your beautiful hat.