This month’s Spotlight on Style is a little different in that I’m going to share a home décor company with you, Local + Lejos, rather than a clothing company like I normally do. I have had great admiration for this incredible business for quite some time and have been dying to introduce you all to them. I think you will quickly understand why after you learn a bit more about this globally sourced company that is firmly rooted in social change.
Napkin Set / Nesting Bowl Set / Serving Tray / Basket / Black Striped Pillow/ Blue Pillow / Floor Basket / Throw / Basket
Local + Lejos founder Sheeva Sairafi first became interested in handcrafted goods when she traveled to Iran as a child and saw beautiful woven carpets and gold jewelry at the bazaar. This experience infused in her a love of handmade products that she would carry with her for years to come. Later in life, a trip to South America brought with it the opportunity to befriend alpaca weavers and hear their stories and struggles. Deeply moved, Sheeva returned home and decided to quit her job and combine her experience as a retail buyer with her desire to make a long lasting social impact by connecting consumers with talented artisans from around the world.
The name Local + Lejos is the combination of the English word “local” and the Spanish word “lejos”. Local obviously refers to one’s nearby community. Lejos refers to a place that is far away in distance. Thus Local + Lejos was formed to bring handcrafted goods made by skilled craftswomen from all around the world into our local homes and communities.
Local + Lejos accomplishes this mission by searching the globe for truly remarkable handmade goods. The company collaborates directly with the artisans behind them and provides fair wages, the chance to develop sustainable skills and steady employment opportunities. Since the company works directly with the artisans, the need for a traditional retail markup is eliminated, thus enabling Local + Lejos to sell goods to consumers at lower, accessible prices and return more of the profits to the artisans themselves.
To source their beautiful products Local + Lejos travels to underdeveloped communities in Mexico, Cambodia, Guatemala, India, and Rwanda to find undiscovered artists creating the world’s finest goods. These talented individuals often times work in cooperatives, honing skills that have been passed down from generation to generation. Local + Lejos partner with the artisans themselves to create new designs appropriate for the modern home.
Working with Local + Lejos means new opportunities and new possibilities for these craftswomen. Partnering with the company enables artisans to earn and save money, thus helping them provide for their families and afford education for their children. By supporting Local + Lejos you are not only bringing beautiful handmade goods into your home, you are bringing products with a story, a face, and a name into your life.