Elephant Cocoon: The Ethical Style of Marketplace India

Once again, I'm honored to join the ranks of fashion bloggers asked by Marketplace: Handworks of India to style one of their beautifully made garments. My previous posts discussing this ethical fashion brand, can be seen here, and here. For those who might not have heard of this brand- Marketplace India is a fair trade, not-for-profit organization that "combines the experience of running a business with a variety of support programs designed to effect real, meaningful, and lasting change in the lives of low-income women in India." 

Marketplace: Handwork of India, and the Highs + Lows of Etho-Fashion

It's not always black and white: searching for fashion labels that fit both politics and personal style

Last year, and again recently, Marketplace: Handworks of India approached more than a handful of fashion bloggers, myself included, and invited us to participate in a social media blitz, including product reviews and giveaways. Many of these women, who aren't normally inclined to work with brands, quickly accepted the invite- and many bloggers I follow and respect, dressed up their given piece and talked about this not-for-profit "fashion" company. (You can view my post about them last year HERE.) And, why? Why did so many of my fashionable +40 blogger pals jump at the chance to model for this little known brand?

Because Marketplace: Handworks of India is  a "fashion" brand with a mission.

"MarketPlace: Handwork of India is an innovative fair trade, not-for-profit organization which combines the experience of running a business with a variety of support programs designed to effect real, meaningful, and lasting change in the lives of low-income women in India."

Neon Tribal

Earlier this week you saw the shoes. Now see the outfit. Behold, the 'Bud rocking it tribal style and making it modern with fresh pops of neon. The dress, a handmade garment made from Guatemalan cloth, and recently acquired from a nearby consignment shop, has been on constant rotation, meaning that I've pretty much worn it non-stop since I got it. And I thought a great partner to this tribal print dress would be this wonderful jacket: a geometric woven cotton coat, courtesy of MARKETPLACE: Handworks of India.

The jacket is a prize- it'd be so perfect as an outer layer for the hot summer days in my hometown, Sacramento. I love the tribal yet modern look of the weave and the cut. Christened the Amrita Jacket, it's woven in lightweight cotton, has a subtle detailing at the lapels and draped side panels, which I feel, give it an avant garde appeal. For some reason, I wore the jacket belted, but I can't wait to style it on the loose, thrown over a tank top and paired with shorts and some gladiator sandals.