# Sustainable, Empowering Rugs 'Arzu Studio Hope' Offers Employment to Women in Afghanistan By Bianca | Published 2012-01-13 | Social Good Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/arzu-studio-hope References: [arzustudiohope.org](http://www.arzustudiohope.org/) When you land on the Arzu Studio Hope website, your first impression might be that you're looking at the website of a fine rug retailer, but you might also notice they've woven mission into their business. Founded by Connie Duckworth after an inspirational trip to Kabul in 2003, Arzu (which means "hope" in Dari) is part of her mission to employ female weavers in Afghanistan so they can lift their families out of poverty and gain access to healthcare and education. "ARZU STUDIO HOPE believes in a holistic approach to sustainable poverty alleviation achieved through artisan-based employment that empowers women," the site say. "Women, earning fair labor wages, weave exquisite [hand-knotted rugs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/massimo-copenhagens) at home. Innovative social benefit practices drive transformational change by providing grassroots access to vital education, healthcare, clean water and sustainable community development programs." The rugs are handwoven with sheep’s wool and coloured with [natural dyes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/crossover-rug-collection) from sources like walnut husks and pomegranates. Their collections include modern and contemporary styles, tribal heirloom rugs, traditional rugs, and a designer collection by famous architect Zaha Hadid and interior designer Thomas Schoos. **Contact Information** Arzu Studio Hope [website](http://www.arzustudiohope.org/) Arzu Studio Hope on [Twitter](https://twitter.com/#!/ArzuStudioHope) Arzu Studio Hope on [Facebook](http://www.facebook.com/arzustudiohope) ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 2.4/10 - Popularity: 28% | Activity: 37% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: Asia ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Social Good](https://www.trendhunter.com/socialgood) > [Social Business](https://www.trendhunter.com/socialbusiness) ## Key Themes ### What's Driving This Trend - **Sustainable Rugs:** Opportunity to disrupt the rug industry by offering sustainable and ethically-made rugs. - **Empowering Women:** Opportunity to disrupt the employment landscape by empowering women through fair labor wages and providing access to education and healthcare. - **Artisan-based Employment:** Opportunity to disrupt the traditional employment model by creating artisan-based employment opportunities that promote social benefit practices for sustainable community development. ### Who This Affects Most - **Rug Industry:** Opportunity for rug retailers to embrace sustainable practices and collaborate with female weavers to create ethically-made rugs. - **Employment Services:** Opportunity for employment services to focus on empowering women in developing countries and creating fair labor opportunities. - **Social Impact Consulting:** Opportunity for social impact consulting firms to work with organizations like Arzu Studio Hope to create innovative social benefit practices for sustainable poverty alleviation. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Hand-Knotted Neutral Rugs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/home-and-soul.md) - [70s-Inspired Plush Shag Rags](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/petra-rug-collection.md) - [Sustainably Handcrafted Bag Initiatives](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-tote-of-hope.md) - [Hand-Knotted Rug Collections](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/hare-klein.md) - [Luxurious Hand-Knotted Rugs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mojave.md) - [Timeless Floor Rug Collections](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sistine.md) - [Artfully Expressive Rug Capsules](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/she-rug-collection.md) - [D2C Artisan Marketplaces](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/artisan-marketplace1.md) - [Reversible Colorful Felt Rugs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/softblock-rug.md)