American Express Members Project - Nominate AFH and Lulan (an option)

Architecture for Humanity Link

Please help raise awareness and funds for one of your favorite worthwhile projects and organizations which will be rewarded by American Express. You don't have to be a cardmember to nominate a cause. So far the chosen group will receive $2.5million for their program.

Project ID: JAO706

Our project is a locally driven social venture that creates an alliance of textile designers and gifted artisans in Southeast Asia to produce luxurious hand-woven fabrics. By providing economic opportunity, we help preserve hand-weaving in Asia while creating environmentally sustainable fabrics. Collections include fabric-by-the-yard,as well as home and fashion accessories that are marketed through select retailers. We are ready to hire thousands of weavers and build innovative weaving centers.

We preserve artisan traditions and promote economic development by creating sustainable livelihoods for our artisan partners, their families and communities. This offers economic and social options to people at risk in regards to human trafficking and poverty. Our method utilizes a scalable, replicable model for each specific region to offer expertise in product development, fair wages and to provide the benefits needed whether childcare, education, housing, literacy classes or healthcare.

We currently support over 650 weavers,spinners,dyers and finishers using a holistic approach to produce eco-fabrics in Thailand,Cambodia,Laos and India. Our goal is to increase the number of artisans to over 6,000,thus expanding our reach to more weaving families and communities. We will work with international and local architects to build inventive, replicable off-the-grid weaving centers. Each building design will be shared through Creative Commons licensing so more communities can benefit.

While living in Asia,I witnessed the ill effects of human trafficking and the Tsunami devastation. The interplay between a strong economic engine and built environment allows for communities to thrive and grow. After 3 years of working with 18 weaving groups in 5 countries,this model is proven. But to achieve this project’s fullest potential,I am determined to increase the number of artisans and communities we positively impact while expanding our weaving centers and production of our textiles.