Manos Zapotecas Fair Trade Purses and Totes

Luxury and mass produced handbags are often made on assembly lines in developing nations because of the low cost of labor. As customers, the thought of who made our products often times doesn’t even cross our minds when we see that beautiful purse on sale.  If you’d like to find out more about labor in the fashion industry, watch The True Cost which you can currently watch on Netflix.

You can make an impact with what you buy. This doesn’t mean buying something you wouldn’t normally buy. The next purse you plan on buying, check out the ethical options out there. Manos Zapotecas is a line of ethical, fair trade purses and totes, rugs, and tapestries that are handmade in Mexico by artisans. Poverty in Oaxaca was forcing weavers to abandon this rich weaving tradition because of lack of markets and buyers. Now, your purchase through Manos Zapotecas allows these weavers to earn a steady income.

Why you should buy Fair Trade Purses

You can see the artisans who made these exact handbags and even find out who made your bag.  It is possible to help lift a community out of poverty through commerce. The artisan wage is decided upon using the Fair Trade Federation’s formula for determining fair pay. Manos Zapotecas pays a deposit with each order, allowing the weavers to buy the materials they need.

Last January, Manos Zapotecas offered a “How to Improve Your Planning,” workshop about managing all of the steps of the production process and a financial management workshop is in the works. Several artisans are now saving money for college for their children. When artisans make more money, they are able to invest more into their communities.

This is the Jagged Diamonds Gloria Tote Bag and it’s one of Manos Zapotecas most popular handbags. It’s handwoven by Josephina and Paco, a husband and wife team who have four children.

To learn more about Manos Zapotecas or to purchase a beautiful artisan-made rug, purse or tapestry, visit Manos Zapotecas.