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Nest has launched a limited-edition collection of accessories in collaboration with the Council of Fashion Designers of America and UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, part of its refugee artisan accelerator program.
The collection of handcrafted items ranging from crocheted bags to straw bucket hats and beaded scarves was created in partnership with UNHCR’s Made 51 and the CFDA. It features work from six social enterprises that work directly with refugee artisans in the Middle East, Africa and Asia. The groups — Artisan Links, Bebemoss, Indego Africa, Roots, Weave, and Xoomba — worked with American designer Mimi Plange to create items that would be both commercially viable and culturally authentic.
“The most important thing is for all of us to share our stories and create designs that not only fascinate and surprise but also generate economic opportunities,” explained Plange, whose own work bridges her African heritage with contemporary sophistication. “The collection represents a new model for ethical fashion.”
Available to purchase online through Nest’s refugee artisan marketplace, the capsule collection showcases the potential for refugee artisans to take their work to global audiences.
Nest is a nonprofit that supports a global network of more than 3,000 women artisans through free programs and resources that help their craft-based businesses grow. Their refugee artisan accelerator marketplace gives refugee artisans a platform to both retail and present their heritage craft techniques and products to leading fashion and home decor brands, creating pathways into global markets.
“We’re committed to supporting artisans worldwide by providing them resources and education to sustain their enterprises, even in the face of adversity,” said Rebecca van Bergen, founder and executive director of Nest. The organization focuses on ensuring craft work is recognized as a vital component of global supply chains.
Steven Kolb, chief executive officer of the CFDA, added that for their members this partnership represents more than social responsibility — it’s strategic business development. “This program offers our members a chance to see different crafts, people, artisans and types of production that could be incorporated into their brands, distinguishing them or positioning their product in a way that ultimately resonates with the customer,” he said.
The numbers driving this initiative to work specifically with refugees are sobering. UNHCR’s Heidi Christ said that “20.3 million people are forcibly displaced, with 71 percent hosted in low-income countries.”
Syrian refugee artisans create a unique style of crochet with lace-like patterns.
The statistics reflect populations with rich cultural traditions, and often, specialized skills. For refugee women bearing the dual burden of displacement and limited economic opportunities, craft-based enterprises provide both income and dignity.
The project has garnered support from some of fashion’s most influential voices. Carmen Busquets has joined in championing the initiative through mentoring and craft advocates Lori Weitzner and Krista Stack bring expertise in traditional techniques and cultural preservation.
“Refugees are not just people in need,” emphasized Christ. “They are people with skills, creativity, and the ability to contribute.”
