Are you aware of the Slow Fashion Movement, Conscious Consumerism, Fair Trade or other similar movements? Conscious gift giving is an important part of these efforts, encouraging people to be more aware of what they purchase and the social and ecological impacts of those purchases, both positive and negative.
At a time when retailers are selling the latest products at very low prices, these movements are working to get people to become more aware and/or conscious of what they are purchasing and the social and ecological impact those purchases can have, both positive and negative. VirtuArte embraces these movements and in 2018 we are committed to creating a greater awareness of where our products come from, who makes them and the social impact a purchase from VirtuArte can have.
The “Fast Movements” Affect Handcrafted Products
Before starting VirtuArte, I found, in my travels, many beautiful items handcrafted by artisans in developing countries using traditional skills. You can think of this as “the slow” process. But I also found, in some places, there were fewer and fewer artisans making these items because the younger generations are not interested in learning these traditional skills. There are a number of reasons for this, but the main reason is that the younger generation didn’t see a way of earning a sustainable living using these skills. If the younger generations stay in their villages or towns, they opt for faster ways to create products, using cheaper materials that damage their health and the environment, or they just sell cheaply made products from China, India or other countries. This can be seen in the products now sold in local markets. If these individuals decide to leave their towns or villages they move to the larger cities in their countries in hopes of finding a job and a better quality of life. What often happens is these individuals find low paying jobs or no jobs at all and end up living in worse conditions then if they had stayed “home.”
These traditional skills are an important part of a country’s culture. They are not written down anywhere. The only way these skills are kept alive is by the older generations teaching them to the younger generations. If these skills are not used, they are lost and then become very difficult, if not impossible, to revive. I started VirtuArte to assist artisans in developing countries to generate a sustainable income through the sale of their handcrafted works of art, thus preserving these traditional skills.
Gift Giving Tips For The Conscious Consumer
The next time you have a gift-giving occasion, choose an item that:
- Is unique and handcrafted. These items are often one-of-a-kind or limited quantities and keep the traditional methods of weaving, sculpting, carving, jewelry making and other skills alive;
- Is respectful of people. Often individuals, workshops or cooperatives proudly state in their product information that providing environmentally safe working conditions, living wages, and skills development are an important part of their mission; and
- Has a story behind it. Knowing where, how and who made an item gives more vibrancy and meaning to a gift.
Ultimately, make your gift selection based on the aspirations, likes and wants of the recipient, however, be conscious of the impact your purchase can have on others and the environment.
