THE COW FUNDER INITIATIVE: HOW IT WORKS
It’s simple, really. You make a pledge, a family gets a cow, we make the bags, and the world gets better.
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THE BASICS
We need to raise €50,000 to contribute 250 cows to 250 struggling families in rural villages Bagatipara and Chargat, Bangladesh. Pledge €250 to contribute a cow to a family, or buy an exclusive initiative bag or accessory where all profits go to contributing more cows to more families.
THE COW
Just one cow can be the difference between simply surviving to thriving for a struggling family in rural Bangladesh. During the your donated cow’s lifetime, its health and wellness will be carefully catered to by the family, along with a project team on location. At its end-of-life, the family takes care of and sells the meat, and the rawhide is taken care of by the project team.
THE FAMILY
We believe that agency and trust are key to creating strong communities. Therefore, a family which signs up to raise a cow becomes our partners, receiving special education. All families are initiated and trained in the project in collaboration with NGO Thanapara Swallows Development Society. With a cow, the family can earn up to a year’s income from the meat, enabling whole new possibilities. Such as sending the kids to school. Building a new roof. Or re-invest in a new cow. Imagine what 250 families raising 250 cows can do.
THE LEATHER
A wholly traceable and well-kept rawhide is the outcome of working in transparent, dignified partnership with local families, organizations and companies. We are building our own tannery in Bagatipara where the entire process is going to be salt-free with no harmful chemicals. There will be zero discharge. Only renewable energy from biogas and solar power will be used.
THE BAGS
All Sandlund/Hossain bags are made using our custom-developed vegetable leather tanning method. Our signature lining is made by Thanapara Swallows Development Society, a woman-centered cooperative with great experience in textiles. The cloth is made with organic cotton, traditionally hand loomed and coloured with vegetable extracts. We use only YKK Excella zippers. Every aspect is handcrafted to last beautifully for generations to come. If you choose to become a Cow Funder by purchasing a bag from our limited Cow Funder Edition, your bag will be specially embossed with the initiative logo inside, marking your support. Read more about this special collection further down. In the near future, the goal is that all our bags are made by leather ultimately developed through this initiative.
THE CONSUMER
Finally, the leather, bags and accessories made possible through The Cow Funder Initiative will be available to everyone. But naturally, as a Cow Funder, you will be the very first to know and receive a special deal. And the more people that carry the message of social good and sustainability with them through bags that matter, the more difference we can make on all bottom lines, across all borders, for us all and the world we live in.
THE TIMEPLAN
Now-September 30th: Campaign active
October 25th: First delivery of Cow Funder Edition products
December 1st: First distribution of cows to families
≈ Fall 2020: First products made from Cow Funder Initiative Leather
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SANDLUND/HOSSAIN: HOW WE WORK
We at Sandlund/Hossain, founded in 2016 by childhood friends Anders Sandlund and Tulin Hossain, are artisan leather bag makers based in Sweden and Bangladesh. Our mission is to make the most durable, sustainable and truly beautiful leather bags in the world.
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OUR BACKGROUND
Sandlund/Hossain springs from Böle spruce bark tannery above Sweden’s Arctic Circle. The family-run tannery, which Anders is now proprietor and heir of, has been making leather since 1899. Böle is today the globe’s last standing spruce bark tannery as well as premium leather goods maker and Purveyor to the Swedish Royal Court.
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It’s fair to say that we’ve learned a few things along the way. The hardest lesson? There are no shortcuts if you want to make something really good. Daring to take what some may believe the long way around in order to create long-term solutions is what we’re all about. We honour this belief with a deep sense of tradition, knowledge and passion. Together with fellow compassionate people, taking pride and care in what we do. For ourselves, for you and the world we all share.
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OUR ORIGINAL COW F(O)UNDERS
Both of us, Anders and Tulin, come from generations of rather uncompromising yet practical people in small villages – Böle and Bagatipara. In 1977 Anders’ parents, Inger and Jan, left Sweden for volonteer work with NGO The Swallows in Bangladesh. One of the assignments to develop the leather sector. The Sandlunds lived in Bagatipara for almost two years, becoming best friends and co-workers with Tulin’s parents, Atiq and Dolly. 40 years later, our parents’ ideas for social development live on with us, where Sandlund/Hossain is the next step.
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Let’s be honest. We launched Sandlund/Hossain out of frustration. We first started producing bags for other brands who showed interest in sustainability. However, many times this gave us a first hand experience of the so-called “the race to the bottom” in terms of quality, pricing and ultimately that coveted sustainability. So we decided to pause producing for other brands and attempt to create the bags we wanted to own and carry ourselves. Simply to see if our dream was possible. We launched our first collection in 2016, selling directly to people through our online store. We are forever thankful for the overwhelming response we’ve received from those who buy our bags and those who spread the word. And thanks to all of our customers and supporters, we’re able to launch The Cow Funder Initiative. Hopefully, the initiative can serve as an inspiration to others as well, especially in the tannery, fashion and design industry.
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OUR TEAM
Our team is made up of 35 committed individuals, including top management. 32 of these people are skilled and committed staff in our studio. All have proper salaries, paid vacation, sick leave and a savings program. Our people are our greatest assets, so we make sure to take care. Our two main HQ:s are located in Härnösand, Sweden and Dhaka, Bangladesh. We hope to grow, so if you love craftmanship, sustainability och social development the way we do, let us know!
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THE COW FUNDER EDITION
If you choose to become a Cow Funder by purchasing a bag from our limited Cow Funder Edition, your bag will be specially embossed with the initiative logo inside, marking your support. All bags are made using our custom-developed vegetable leather tanning method. Our signature lining is made by Thanapara Swallows Development Society, a woman-centered cooperative with great experience in textiles. The cloth is made with organic cotton, traditionally hand loomed and coloured with vegetable extracts. We use only YKK Excella zippers. Every aspect is handcrafted to last beautifully for generations to come.
OVERVIEW
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SHOULDER BAGS UDDEN & UDDEN TWIN
Get 20% off regular price by supporting The Cow Funder Initiative
Shoulder bag Udden is perfectly sized for your daily essentials. Carry yours as it is or stow it into your briefcase or handbag to keep things organized. Crafted in luxurious full grain vegetable tanned leather, it features a lined interior and an optional shoulder strap for hands free action. Understated and elegant it adds sophistication to your outfit.
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SHOULDER BAGS GRUNNA & GRUNNA TWIN
Get 20% off regular price by supporting The Cow Funder Initiative
Shoulder bag Grunna combines basic functionality with elegance and style. Its size is perfect for everyday use and the generous interior can easily house all your essentials. You can wear it in different ways, over the shoulder or as an envelope bag, as Grunna´s versatile design easily transitions from day to night.
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HANDBAG DUETT
Get 20% off regular price by supporting The Cow Funder Initiative
Its generous size boasts a padded compartment for your 13´ lap top, a zipped inner pocket and plenty of room left for your everyday essentials. In short it´s your ideal companion from the early morning to the late night.
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HANDBAG SIRI
Get 20% off regular price by supporting The Cow Funder Initiative
The Handbag Siri matches any day of the week and is roomy enough to pack all your essentials for the day; it will take you to the office, gym and back with no effort. Crafted in luxurious full grain vegetable tanned leather, it features open interior pockets as well as a zipped inner pocket, a detachable shoulder.
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BRIEFCASE INGA
Get 20% off regular price by supporting The Cow Funder Initiative
Briefcase Inga will stay sophisticated and classy for the rest of your working life, because easy luxury never goes out of style. It is comfortably sized to hold your 15″ lap top and documents safe and secure. Handcrafted in full grain vegetable tanned leather, it features two top handles, a top zip closure and a adjustable shoulder strap for those heavy-duty days.
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WEEKEND BAG BARNHOLM
Get 20% off regular price by supporting The Cow Funder Initiative
Weekend bag Barnholm is ideal for short travels and everyday use. Bring it to the airport, meeting, school – or wherever the day takes you, it´s a great companion for most occasions. Handcrafted in luxurious full grain vegetable tanned leather.
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WEEKEND BAG KALAHATT
Get 20% off regular price by supporting The Cow Funder Initiative
Weekend bag Kalahatt is your ideal travel companion for weekends and getaways. It is meticulously handcrafted in full grain vegetable tanned leather and minimally detailed created to wear beautifully over time. Its sophisticated and timeless design will undoubtedly stand out on the luggage carousel.
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HOW TO FIND OUT MORE
PRESS/INTERVIEWS/QUESTIONS/REQUESTS
Download press kit here.
For interviews, please contact:
Anders Sandlund, CEO
anders@sandlundhossain.com
+46 (0) 73 503 23 34
For general questions or requests, please contact:
info@sandlundhossain.com
+46 (0) 10 458 04 60
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