SilaiWali is an official partner in MADE51
MADE51 is a collaborative initiative and global brand of refugee-made products, brought to life by UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency. Through MADE51, social enterprises around the world work with refugee artisan groups to make ethical, handcrafted products.
Picture this: it's the early months of 2022, and a message request pops up on our Instagram page. We couldn’t believe our eyes when we read the message. The renowned international French luxury brand Chloé wanted to collaborate with us. The excitement was palpable.
The Chloé-collab was a feather in the cap. Silaiwali products received applause worldwide, but this was special. Iris Strill, Silaiwali’s creative director, designed two stunning dolls based on the classic Chloé dresses and a collection of bag charms. The Silaiwali-Chloé collaboration was a runaway success. Chloé has collaborated with Silawali on many other collections ever since.
In 2023, Oris, the world-renowned Swiss watch company, approached Silaiwali with a special project to create a unique gift for their clients. The Silaiwali team, composed of dedicated Afghan refugee artisans, poured their exceptional craftsmanship and creativity into crafting a charming bag accessory featuring the Oris mascot — a bear. Utilizing the traditional Afghan crochet technique, each component of the bear was meticulously handcrafted by different members of the group. Piece by piece, knot by knot, the artisans worked collaboratively until everything came together perfectly. The Silaiwali team, through their intricate work, brought the Oris bear to life, symbolizing resilience and the rich cultural heritage of Afghanistan. This project not only provided these artisans with meaningful employment but also allowed them to showcase their incredible skills and traditions to a global audience. The collaboration between Oris and Silaiwali is a testament to the power of craftsmanship and cultural exchange, demonstrating how art can bridge worlds and tell profound stories through every stitch.
Designed especially for Ulla Johnson boutiques, the Elephant Doll is handmade by Afghan women refugees in India as part of SilaiWali, a social enterprise in New Delhi that up-cycles waste fabric generated from apparel scraps to create stunningly handcrafted textiles. The proceeds of the doll support the economic empowerment of SilaiWali’s women-led community. Additionally for each purchase, a donation will be made to Providence House, a Brooklyn-based nonprofit organization that advocates and provides shelter for women and families at risk of harm. Each of these limited-edition dolls are totally unique and crafted with love, a future heirloom that will be cherished for years.
“Why We Love It”
The Silaiwali + World Market collaboration model is the leitmotif of circular production. The collaboration yielded unique home decor, bags and pouches, and festival ornaments using apparel scraps from the World Market’s garment manufacturing in India. World Market, through its 242 physical stores in the United States and its online store, has sold thousands of Silaiwali-made handicrafts throughout America. The collaboration provided livelihoods to over one hundred Afghan women refugees currently living in New Delhi, India.
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Free People, a boho women’s fashion brand in the US, collaborates with Silaiwali every year for its holiday collection to create a range of cotton ornaments that reflect a high level of quality. The designs invoke attributes of femininity, spirit, and creativity while infusing the perfect festival mood.
The Joy Project
“The Joy Project,” a collaboration with SilaiWali and the Genes upcycled collection “Love in Black and White,” is a step towards environmental and social sustainability. One of the central goals is to ensure that production practices gradually get equipped to measure and minimise carbon footprint through the supply chain. The Silaiwali + Genes collaboration is a modern story of expression, rooted in Parisian heritage and pillared by the codes of couture craftsmanship.