Manelleh – Tote bag

In the present

Manelleh’s tote bag unifies both our green and social agenda. Green because the fabric is made of jute, which is a natural fiber extracted from the bark of the jute plant. Jute requires low amounts of water and is bio-degradable and recyclable. Social, because Manelleh works closely with women in Bangladesh who hand print and sew the tote bags, empowering women artisans to have a safe, meaningful, and dignified job. We hope you will welcome this bag as your new daily companion.

PROFILE

Company History

On a trip in 1995 to Maria’s birthplace, Sri Lanka, she fell in love with beautiful products handmade by local artisans. She brought home two extra suitcases filled with tableware, wooden figures, drums and much more. On that trip the idea of Manelleh was born. In 2021, many trips around the world and purchases of handmade products later, the idea of Manelleh was finally brought to life as an actual business, combining Maria’s experience in the corporate world with her interest in gender equality, diversity, social responsibility, and sustainability.

Company Profile

Manelleh is a purpose-driven company, passionate about making a difference for women worldwide. They sell handmade, high-quality products from Fair Trade Enterprises, empowering women to live free from poverty and exploitation. Committed to responsible business practices, Manelleh ensures fair wages, safe working conditions, and support beyond basic needs. Their focus on sustainability and partnerships with small-scale, social enterprises drive positive change for women, creating a better future for families and communities globally.

Product Profile

Manelleh offers handmade high-quality products crafted by skilled women artisans who prioritize slow production methods. These artisans create unique items with partial or complete manual processes, setting them apart from mass-produced goods churned out by machines. Emphasizing quality over quantity, our partners typically produce limited batches of 50-300 pieces. Additionally, Manelleh is committed to sustainability, supporting products made from upcycled, recycled, or organic materials to minimize environmental impact. Their mission is to combat the buy-use-and-throw-away culture by offering long-lasting designs and selling products on demand, thus reducing waste and avoiding overproduction.

Impact

Menelleh's mission is to create a future with more responsible businesses, dedicated to improving the working and living standards for women globally. They adhere to their non-negotiables, unwavering values and principles guiding their commitment to change. These include ensuring fair wages, safe working conditions, and a ban on child labor for craftswomen creating our products. Manelleh provides additional resources beyond wages, such as technical training and retirement funds. Valuing uniqueness and sustainability, they collaborate with small-scale, social, and Fair Trade Enterprises, opting for upcycled, recycled, and organic materials. Their partnerships extend to like-minded artisans, businesses, NGOs, and organizations, united in their goal of fostering positive change and empowering women worldwide.

Manelleh – Tote bag

In the present

PROFILE

Company History

Company Profile

Product Profile

Impact

SUSTAINABILITY CRITERIA

Transparency in the value chains

Positive social impact

Environmentally friendly

Fair and ethical trade

Company profile