Gift Focus inc Attire Accessories - May/June 2020

70 Voice International is an independent jewellery and clothing company that exists to empower women through creative employment. Each and every product is handmade in Uganda, by an artisan who has developed the skills to design and create beautiful products, from jewellery and hair accessories, to bags and kimonos. Each product carries with it the story of the artisan who made it, and every purchase comes with a signed card from them. When the company began, founder Natasha asked each of the women to write down their dreams to store in a Dream Box, which lives in the company’s office in Kampala. They all had two dreams in common: to earn enough money to guarantee food on the table for their families, and to be able to save for school fees for their children. Thanks to the stability Voice offers them, these women are now able to dream bigger. “My first priority was to see my girls educated, now my girls have dreams too,” says Regina, artisan and mother of three daughters. “Working at Voice has taught me to save to make my dreams come true,” she adds. She now dreams of buying land where she can build a house for her and her daughters. Voice’s products are ethically and sustainably made, using materials from and combining styles of both Uganda and the UK. The Bloom collection features soft pastel beads and sterling silver, and the Courage collection was inspired by geometric shapes and the use of brushed brass complementing Ankole, a natural horn by-product sourced from within Uganda. Using this natural material results in distinctive colours and gradients, meaning every Ankole piece is completely unique. In partnering with Voice International, you’ll not only be stocking beautiful, handcrafted products, you’ll also become part of its story, and part of a cycle of empowerment, creativity and community. For more information call +44 (0)7964 284 452 or visit the website www.voiceinternational.org.uk EMPOWERING business Independent jewellery and clothing brand Voice International tells us how its work with Ugandan artisans helps empower women, giving them a better life SPONSORED EDITORIAL Barefoot & Beautiful Half Page Ad.24.02.20.qxp_Final Design Text as outlines 24/02/2020 14:52 Page 1