Lauren Conrad — entrepreneur, fashion designer, author — the list goes on. Just when you thought you couldn’t love Lauren any more, she goes and adds humanitarian to her repertoire. Last month, Lauren shared on her website a special project that she and her best friend Hannah have been working on. Her latest venture,“The Little Market,” is an online store showcasing goods produced globally. Their : “Traveling the world to ethically source beautiful handmade goods so that you can change the lives of artisans in developing countries.”
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The Little Market is further described as a gathering place that allows talented artisans to showcase their work on a broader scale and receive funding from the sale of their locally made products. The end goal is to “combat poverty, empower communities and create social justice.” By purchasing products from The Little Market, you’re helping women in developing countries make a living and provide for their families.
Lauren and Hannah have traveled to many “little markets” around the world. They met with countless women who inspired them to develop a way for these artisans to share their creations to others.
The products that you’ll find at The Little Market range from home decor to accessories, each from developing communities in countries around the world including Bolivia, India, Mexico, Nepal, and Peru.
Recently, Lauren appeared on Katie to talk about The Little Market (fast-forward to the 2:51 mark), and shared some of their seasonal items.
As we approach the holiday season, many of the items listed on The Little Market will make great gifts for friends and family. A cute knitted Christmas bear for your little brother, a hand-printed apron for your mom (or sister who loves to cook) and an Alpaca knit scarf for your bestie. The Little Market also offers beautiful hand block-printed wrapping paper (white and gold – so classic) to dress your packages in style. Not only are all of the products unique and representative of each of the participating communities, but the proceeds go toward helping a worthy cause. Here are five items that caught my eye:
1. Hand Painted Flower Box, $36- Handmade in India using the Kashmiri papier-mâché technique, this beautiful flower printed box would be perfect for storing your favorite trinkets and heirlooms.
2. Classic Large Blush Trunk, $450- Created by Nappa Dori (a fashion house in Delhi, India with a strong commitment to quality and social justice), this exquisite metal trunk with leather detailing is a classic statement piece to add to your collection.
3. Hand Block Printed Apron, $34- This whimsical hand-sewn and block-printed apron flaunts a lovely pattern. Made by victims of trafficking in India, this one’s close to Lauren’s heart.
4. Knit Christmas Bear (Boy), $28- Super cute and loveable, right? These seasonal knit teddy bears from Peru are just asking to be taken home…collect all four!
5. Copper Candle, $38- A practical and homey addition to your decor, this hand-poured and hand-hammered candle will come in handy as you round out your holiday shopping.
When I discovered The Little Market on Lauren’s website, I knew that I had to share it. There’s no question that there’s something extra special, one-of-a-kind, and ethnically diverse about products created from around the world. It’s not something that you can just pick up anywhere, and the details and craftsmanship certainly don’t go unnoticed.
Make sure to shop The Little Market this holiday season and follow along on , and .
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