Helping Artisans through Parcel & Journey
Parcel & Journey is born from a personal anthology of travel and discovery.
Parcel & Journey is a brand born from a personal anthology of travel and discovery. The brand debuted in January last year, and the website launched in November. Creator Joanna Steinberg has curated collections that reflect the rich colors, patterns, scents and textures of tradition.
At the same time, Parcel & Journey introduces customers to the hands and heritage behind the work. This is possible because Steinberg partners with skilled artisans in marginalized communities around the world to produce handcrafted pieces for free-spirited, travel-craving, style lovers, while honoring a “trade not aid” philosophy; giving skilled artisans a chance to provide a sustainable income and better life for themselves and their families.
Aside from its mission, Parcel & Journey acts as a design director and distribution channel, which essentially comes up with products and design concepts that are more marketable to a western consumer. Many people are utilizing artisans to produce for their own brands, but most have one product category or are in one country.
With this in mind, LadyLUX talked to Steinberg to find out more about this unique brand and website.
LadyLUX: What led to the creation of Parcel & Journey?
Joanna Steinberg: After I graduated from college, I worked in the finance services industry for seven years. I finally left the finance world in 2012 when I decided to pursue my passion for connecting artisans and global traditions to a first world consumer market.
LL: Tell me about what makes your organization different.
JS: Parcel & Journey works as both a product development arm and a trade enabler. We design products in house and then work with artisans to produce the finished product. It is truly a collaborative process. Further to this, we partner with organizations on the ground in the communities where we work who provide infrastructure for the artisan groups, which will allow them to further improve, grow and scale.
We design products in house and then work with artisans to produce the finished product.
LL: What inspired you to work with artisans around the globe?
JS: Starting at an early age I was exposed to global cultures and their unique traditions. I fell in love with the exquisite craftsmanship and bold patterns that represent rich heritages around the world. I want to connect fashion-savvy consumers with amazing products. Parcel & Journey gives artisans living in impoverished communities the opportunity to earn a sustainable income by connecting them with first world consumers.
LL: What are your most popular items?
JS: The Huipil Flats from Guatemala and the Leather Envelope Clutches from Indonesia are both very popular. We are also very excited for new upcoming collections launching in summer 2014.
LL: How do artisans benefit from working with you?
JS: It is amazing to see artisans supported educationally and provisionally by the local groups that Parcel & Journey partners with. For example, we partner with Zero Hunger, Save The Children, and other government programs in Guatemala that were created to build the economy in areas with high childhood malnutrition rates. Through these partnerships we are able to work with over 250 Guatemalan artisans, including both family businesses and women cooperatives across the country.
LL: Tell me more about your company and your journey.
JS: Parcel & Journey started in January 2013, but officially launched our sales arm in November. The work we are doing takes time to provide strong and sustainable results. This being said, we are working with talented artisans who understand that we are investing in a system that will create future benefits that are long lasting and sustainable. In the words of Beatrice, a member of the Bahati coop we work with in Kibera, “The most rewarding thing is that the communities are able to access clean and cheap water. Our children are able to go to school without any problem with financials because of the money we are making from selling our crafts. We want to be self reliant through selling more craft products by getting a wider market. We want a wider market for crafts and getting large orders. We also want a proper system that will benefit both Parcel & Journey and the women's cooperative.”
LL: How do you find new artisans to work with?
JS: At the moment we work with artisans in Indonesia, Nepal, Kenya, South Africa, Guatemala, and we plan to continue expanding that list. By partnering with local programs in these countries, we are able to reach new artisan communities.
It is amazing to see artisans supported educationally and provisionally by the local groups that Parcel & Journey partners with.
LL: Where can our readers find your collections?
JS: The best place to shop Parcel & Journey right now is our website, parcelandjourney.com. We are also carried in select stores on the East Coast and in California. You can browse the list here.
LL: How many stores are you in around the country?
JS: Right now we are in eleven stores mainly on the East Coast and California. We will continue to grow that list in 2014.
LL: Is there anything else you’d like to add?
JS: It has been amazing to receive positive feedback from our customers, and we are feeling very optimistic for new collections launching in 2014. Stay tuned.
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