Olorgesailie  Maasai Women Artisans – Idia’Dega An Eco-fashion Collaboration

One Bead Builds A Necklace 

Support the creation of an eco-fashion collection inspired and designed by the Olorgesailie Maasai Women Artisans (OMWA) of Kenya and U.S.-based eco-fashion line, Idia Dega. 

What   The Tomon (10 in Maasai) sustainable collection is based on the beautiful internationally-recognized Maasai design married with contemporary fashion silhouettes.  The collection includes clothing for men and women as well as accessories and jewelry. 

Join us  this can provide the creative, cultural, economic and environmental empowerment for these talented women.  

Where the money goes Funds will be used to buy sustainable and local fabric, beads and other materials, develop fashion samples and support this community of strong, talented women in Olorgesailie, South Rift Valley in Kenya.   Every dollar counts, you know we can buy a fair number of beads for a dollar.  

This is a collaboration of equals; we call it Creative Force not Labor Force.  

Photo:  Members of OMWA getting an update on the IndieGogo campaign:  Rimas Mary, Samantha of SORALO, Mpuyuk Esther and Tale Leah - Feb 4, 2014 Olorgesailie Kenya

Why  The Olorgesailie Maasai Women’s group are simply amazing, talented artisans and craftswomen who lack a reliable outlet for their products because they live in the rural South Rift Valley of Kenya.  If you could meet them, spend time with them, like I have, supporting this project would be a no brainer.  Join Team OMWA, encourage them to get their work to a larger market. 

Who The Olorgesailie Maasai Women’s group are talented artisans and craftswomen. This collaboration with Idia’Dega, a U.S.-based eco-fashion designer, could prove to be the key link for these women to gain the economic foundation to achieve their goals. 

Globalization for Good Because all things contain beauty and should be left for future generations to enjoy.   

The Market   We believe that the continuing interest in and influence of Maasai and African design seen in the most recent fashion collections presented on the runways of Paris, New York and Milan, indicates the market's interest for these products. 

Retail interest has already been demonstrated, we are excited and ready to show the market what we can do!

Tereneh Mosley (on right) Idia'Dega's founder, has taught at Parsons in New York, visiting scholar on global fashion at Yale-NUS, Singapore, worked on a UNESCO design project in Kenya and as a U.S. Rotary Ambassadorial Scholar was sent to East Africa to do graduate research on incorporating Indigenous adornment in contemporary clothing. 

Budget The $9,000 budget break down is as follows: 

Financial priorities of the women  Direct economic investment in the women and their families in the Olorgesailie Maasai community.  By their own words the women’s priorities include:  water and food security, more safe housing and education for their children. 

The situation now  Today the women gather at the foot of Olorgesailie Mountain every day in the hope that they sell enough of their beautiful beadwork to support their families.  Many days there are no visitors, often there are no sales.  Let us be the first in a new global market to ensure their success for the future. 

The collection  In late 2013 the Olorgesailie Maasai Women (OMWA) and Idia’Dega met and designed a ten piece collection of clothing and accessories for men and women.  The Tomon (10 in Maasai) sustainable collection is based on the beautiful internationally-recognized Maasai design married with contemporary fashion silhouettes. 

OMWA is a group formed by SORALO, a Maasai conservation group committed to environmental and cultural conservation. The Tomon collection includes clothing for men and women as well as accessories and jewelry. 

Sustain + ability  Sustain the inter-cultural conversation by supporting the traditional arts and craftsmanship of the Maasai and helping make their work economically viable for the present and future generations. The Tomon collection will use locally-sourced and sustainable materials.  

The women of OMWA will do all of the beading for the collection by hand.  

Perks

We have unique perks we hope will encourage you to support this project. 

For example:

$25 Perk Olorgesailie photo sticker.  This is the location of the OMWA shop and the Olorgesailie historic site: 

At the $75 level, beaded leather cuff bracelet worn by both men and women.  Here are two examples, with this perk you will receive one custom-made and hand-beaded by OMWA.  The photo are just an example, each one is different and unique.  If you a special request, please let us know.

The $100 Maasai bridal necklace (2-necklace), $150 Unisex beaded cuff bracelet and armband (in Maasai garment set perk $250).  

Media Coverage 

AfroPunk

Oreeko 

Global Pittsburgh

Partners

Award winning Maasai conservationist; a team of talented Maasai artisans and a fashion industry recognized designer, educator and researcher make up this project's team.

Spread the Word

What’s the point of sustainability unless we sustain each other?

Every connection could lead to one more, Yes!  Please share with family, friends and colleagues using social media, email, phone and IndieGogo sharing tools.

Tale Leah, Mpuyuk Esther,Rimas Mary, and Lanket Marisa. Sending encouragement from Olorgesailie, Kenya.  Thank you very much - Ashe oleng.