MORE THAN A TOTE: LEVI’S® & PEACE BY PIECE INTERNATIONAL PARTNER WITH WORK+SHELTER FOR EARTH DAY
Community /
April 2022
This Earth Day, Levi's® is taking another step towards purposeful consumption for a more sustainable future by partnering with Peace by Piece International, an organization that works with artisans from underserved communities around the world to produce custom, organically sourced gifting, including our exclusive Levi’s® Earth Day Batwing Tote. These hand-sewn totes have provided nearly 2,500 hours of dignified work for women from an India-based studio, WORK+SHELTER, an ethical cut-and-sew workshop in New Delhi, India dedicated to the economic, social, and professional empowerment of women in need through skills training and employment.
WORK+SHELTER was founded over 10 years ago by Theresa VanderMeer. The leadership is a small team of American and Indian women who have built on their team’s diverse backgrounds in technology, manufacturing, design, finance, and operations. Their mission is to build a new workforce of women in India while emphasizing the use of recycled, upcycled, organic, or lower-impact raw materials in their supply chain.
More than 50 women in the New Delhi-based workshop come from vulnerable backgrounds with little to no education or work experience. Through WORK+SHELTER, these women have gained skills in sewing and production management, and have been equipped with the means to be independent, digitally adept, and financially savvy.
Now that I have been working with WORK+SHELTER for eight years, I am growing in all aspects, financially and professionally.
"I joined WORK+SHELTER when I was badly in need of emotional and financial support," said Seema (at right), who has been at the studio for many years.
Prior to joining the studio, she had given birth to a girl. Her husband, who had hoped for a son, abandoned her and their daughter, refusing to grant divorce.
Seema was left in a vulnerable state with expensive legal fees and no income when she was introduced to WORK+SHELTER. There, she began to train in stitching and eventually showed interest in cutting, which is a highly-trained skill that requires the use of special equipment. With the resources provided and her dedication to the craft, she mastered the difficult and crucial role.
Over the years, Seema has been promoted from Cutting Assistant to Junior Cutting Master, a senior position not often afforded to women in Indian factories.
"Now that I have been working with WORK+SHELTER for eight years," Seema said, "I am growing in all aspects, financially and professionally."
Levi's® is proud to partner with Peace by Piece International and WORK+SHELTER to collaborate at the intersection of community, sustainability, and inspiration to create a better future for all.
Check out the Levi’s® Earth Day Batwing Tote crafted by the women of WORK+SHELTER in select U.S. Levi's® Stores this Earth Day. Free with purchase for Red Tab™ members, while supplies last. And this is a gift that keeps on giving–bring this bag in-store for checkout and receive $10 off every purchase through the end of 2022.
