Kate Spade New York celebrates women empowering women with its latest On Purpose collection of quirky handbags. The brand has been building women led businesses in undeserved communities to produce the brand’s On Purpose handbags.
In 2014, Kate Spade & Company brought together individual artisans within the community of Masoro, Rwanda and taught them how to build their own for-profit businesses. The handmade products in the seasonal On Purpose collections of handbags and jewellery fold seamlessly into the brand’s existing collections and the artisans adhere to the same design and manufacturing guidelines Kate Spade & Company applies to all of its products.
Today, Kate Spade & Company partners with a for-profit handbag manufacturing organization, Abahizi Dushygikirane Ltd. (ADC). Launched in partnership with Kate Spade & Company, ADC embraces social enterprise principles of creating economic and social wellness for all stakeholders, including the business, its employees, and the rural community where it is located.
Currently, On Purpose has over 150 full-time artisans paid monthly regardless of product sales, allowing these women to support both their families and themselves.
For more on Kate Spade New York’s On Purpose collection, access here.