Made from cotton grown on the shores of Lake Victoria, woven in the shadow of Mount Kilimanjaro, and then printed and sewn among the streets of Dar es Salaam. Our dress is the only ethically sourced, locally grown, woven and sewn dress from Tanzania. We choose to do this not because it is easy, but because it is hard, because no one else is doing it, and because it is the right thing that needs to be done.
Tanzania is an incredible country with immense natural resources, the greatest of which are its talented people. It is a country that has not quite yet embraced e-commerce or realized its place in the global market. It is, and has been for centuries, the land of gold, spice, and coffee, raw goods, which do everything for the country.. but very little for the common man.
We are not a sew shop. Your dress is sewn by a collective of self employed, independent tailors and seamstresses who already sell their work in the local market. While there are many hands that make your dress there is just one pattern and standard of quality. This is not cheap or easy to manage but it is a chance for a skilled craftsman to make as much in one dress as they might otherwise make in a day.
This is not your fastest option. Our dresses are custom made to order. Everyone involved realizes the importance and impatience of ordering online. Your dress will ship air freight from Dar Es Salaam Tanzania to Lexington Kentucky and then ship via air again to you and your home. This is a week of flying around the world (on top of the time to sew)so please be patient but hopeful.
We encourage everyone to share our story and if possible wear your dress to its home here and take it on a Safari. Tanzania is among the warmest, friendliest places on Earth and adventure awaits at every corner. Dress for Adventure and it will find you!