Merging new designs with traditional weaving practices, Menu's line of plush furniture provides women in Nepal with an alternative to prostitution as a means to support themselves and their family. The 'Nepal Projects' encourage various companies across Scandinavian countries to create designs for poverty-stricken women to produce that will, in turn, improve their human rights and economic opportunities.
Specifically in Nepal, many women are forced into prostitution through a combination of desperation and deception. To stop this process from happening in the first place, the Nepal Projects hope to employ young girls' weaving skills to create these decor designs.
Among the designs are hand-printed scarves, woolen toy bears and canvas laundry bags. This example of socially good business partnerships is growing, with successful leader TOMS paving the way and gives consumers the chance to wield purchasing power.
Poverty-Relieving Design Partnerships
'The Nepal Projects' Employ Young Women Through Weaving
Trend Themes
1. Socially Good Business Partnerships - Collaborations between organizations and communities to create products that support social causes.
2. Empowerment Through Design - Using design to provide economic opportunities and improve human rights for vulnerable populations.
3. Alternative Income Generation - Creating sustainable income opportunities to prevent vulnerable individuals from engaging in illegal or exploitative activities.
Industry Implications
1. Furniture Design - Innovative furniture designs that create employment opportunities for marginalized communities.
2. Fashion and Textiles - Utilizing traditional weaving practices to create unique products that empower marginalized women.
3. Socially Conscious Consumer Products - Developing products that have a positive impact on society and provide economic opportunities to disadvantaged individuals.