Manos del Uruguay is a supplier of Fair Trade artisan-crafted yarns and clothing production. They specialise in craft techniques used to develop wool, silk and linen garments, from knitting with two needles, to manual knitting machines, looms, crochet, felting techniques and more. They craft dye vibrant, smooth, faded or space dyed colors, which give the yarns an infinity of tones and shades.
Manos also work with independent artists and craftspeople that specialise in working with national raw materials, such as wood, horn, leather and pottery. Whist Manos garments are made one-by-one, each handcrafted piece is completely unique.
Manos del Uruguay have a large host of influential clients from the US and European markets including: Chanel, Donna Karan, Dries Van Noten, J Crew, Joseph, Marc Jacobs, Mulberry, Pringle, Ralph Lauren, Stella McCartney, Victoria’s Secret and many more.
The organisation is made up of 13 cooperatives that bring together 250 craftswomen distributed over 19 localities in the interior of the country. It was certified as a Fair Trade supplier by the World Fair Trade Organisation in 2009. The main objectives of Manos del Uruguay are:
- To generate and develop work sources for women in the largely rural interior of the country
- Provide economic, social and cultural opportunities to all its members, allowing these women to stay in their towns, earn a living and develop themselves and contribute to their families and community
- Value handicrafts and the work of artisans
Magaly Fuentes-Sagan spoke with Ana de Prado, Manager of the Woven and Felted area of Design and Product Development for Manos del Uruguay. Ana has worked for Manos del Uruguay since 2004 and is also heavily involved with the social networking and distribution areas.
Ana de Prado tells SOURCE about Manos experience working with such high-level clients and where they feel the market is headed in the near future.
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