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Just Launched: The Upcycled Wallet - Delhi Rang
Today we are launching our upcyled minimalist wallet in a new multicolor style: Delhi Rang. The name pays homage to the city (Delhi) where the colored (Rang, meaning ‘color’ in Hindi) plastic bags are collected off the streets, cleaned and sorted before being hand stitched into this slim wallet design.
As with the other wallets we have partnered with Conserve India, a socially focused NGO in India determined to help those often referred to as 'rag pickers' by providing fair wage employment, education and health care for employees and their families. As each wallet is handmade and without using any dyes, each is one-of-a-kind in its pattern and style based on the specific colored bags used to make each wallet.
Upcycling is the process of taking items out of the waste stream and creating higher value items from them without the need to break them down (recycling), a process that not only reduces waste in new production but also prolongs the life of the otherwise discarded plastic bag - providing a high quality, minimally designed, vegan wallet. The equally mindful and convenient packaging is made from 90% recycled material and is fully biodegradable.
As with all Holstee products, 10% of sales are lent to entrepreneurs in the developing world through their partnership with Kiva.org.
Check out the Delhi Rang wallet here: http://shop.holstee.com/products/the-upcycled-wallet-delhi-rang
Holstee Wallets Now In Stock
Good news- The Holstee Wallet is now back in stock!! We've got the original Grey and Blue wallets ready to ship at Holstee HQ and the purple wallets should be here in just a few weeks.
This slim wallet is made from newspapers and plastic bags that were picked up off the streets in Delhi. But that is just the beginning...
About a year ago I needed a new wallet, but despite my best efforts was not impressed with what was out there. I only had two requirements:
1) minimalist in design allowing me to carry the essentials (cash, credit cards, ID) and
2) created in a meaningful way. So, in Holstee fashion Dave suggested we just make it, since after all that is what we are now in the business doing.Fast forward about 6 months... we created a partnership with an inspirational NGO called Conserve India. We worked with them to produce this slick, essentials only wallet made from newspapers and plastic bags- picked up off the streets in Delhi, India. This is done by employing some of Delhi's most impoverished residents, often referred to as ragpickers.
Traditionally, ragpickers resort to collecting anything they find on the street to sell, in hopes of being able to provide the most basic necessities for their families. However, the income from this is so low, it means their children need to work, rather than attend school- thus perpetuating the revolving door of poverty. Conserve India seeks to put an end to this by bringing better organization and direction to their collection, and in doing so the ability to pay fair wages (>3x their normal income). This means all those employed by Conserve earn enough to not have to face the decision between sending their children to school or require them to work.
On the flip, Conserve strongly encourages everyone to be open to learning new skills and not be confine themselves to being a ragpicker. Conserve has also taken active roles to improve the schools in the slums where many of their employees live. They have even created a health clinic specifically designed to help those without healthcare access. They now employ over 250 people and growing, thanks to folks like you.
Conserve India has their heart in the right place. They are sustainable in every sense of the word. From helping to clean up India, to improving the lives of those that live in their community. We are proud to work with them in producing our dream wallet.
As always, 10% of sales for each wallet will be used to empower impoverished entrepreneurs around the world through micro-lending. Lets spread the love.
You can pick one up here.
It's been a year!
Can you believe it’s been a year?! The past year of working on Holstee has been exhilarating, challenging, and mind-opening. We have learned a lot about ourselves, our vision for Holstee and, as a result, we have continued to define who we are, and who we want to become. During the first year of designing our own sustainable apparel and accessories - we came to learn about a number of other designers who created with a similar passion for the planet and people in it - as a result, two months ago we launched a new section of our site, Curated x Holstee, dedicated to showcasing these designers. The response to our Curated shop and CuratedWeekly newsletter has been phenomenal considering this we have decided to better integrate these efforts. Starting next week, our entire community will begin receiving our Curated Weekly email (here is what they have looked like in past weeks). In these weekly emails, we highlight one beautifully designed product made with respect for the planet and people in it. Each week we create a quick and fun video review of the product, and include a coupon (10-30% off) valid for 24hrs. Also starting next week, the first person who decides to order the product will get it free! Yes, you read that right - the first order we receive will get a 100% refund for the product. This is our way of showing our appreciation for Holstee’s biggest supporters. Oh, and if you ever decide you don’t want to receive the Curated newsletter you can update your newsletter preferences. Do this by responding to next weeks email, or via the Update Preferences link in the mail. Thanks to each of you for your continued support, its been a wonderful experience launching and growing Holstee and we are proud to have friends like you to share it with.
