Working with Label STEP

A few of the projects that have ran over the past year

With a shared mission of wanting the rugs we make to benefit everyone involved, we’ve been working with Label STEP to ensure ethics are the foundation of the entire process.

Label STEP is a non-profit organisation, who have committed to an on-the-ground approach to ensuring fair trade working practices in the handmade rug industry since 1995. Through numerous projects, over 9000 weavers have been involved in empowerment programmes. We work with Label STEP across India,

Nepal and Afghanistan and have visited the teams working in India and Nepal twice in the last 12 months.

As well as monitoring conditions in our handmade rug facilities, Label STEP supports the weavers through numerous medical support programmes and integrates technology into improving the day to day function of the craft as well as providing training for weavers.

Photographed by Anup Paudel.

By visiting the weaving facilities in February 2025, we learned more about the programmes that were happening in India and Nepal.

In India this included physiotherapy sessions and optical testing. Label STEP were also continuing a communications programme adopted during Covid which streamlines communications for emergencies, such as flooding and droughts and creates a way of distributing vital resources such as food and water.

In Nepal, we sat in on a weaver empowerment session where advice was given on finance management, particularly on how to save for emergency situations. They had previously had a trusted bank visit the weavers to advise on how to open up a bank account to make it easier to receive wages as well as save money.

We also had the pleasure of hearing more about the weaver management app which has just finished its development process and is gearing up for release. This app provides a streamlined communications tool between weaver, manufacturer and distributor.

Photographed by Anup Paudel.

A new generation of weavers

The Artisan Village are facilities that bring the craft of weaving to the weavers. Bringing work closer to home has numerous benefits to those seeking to make a reliable income whilst having care commitments either to children, elderly or disabled relatives. By the end of 2023, 1500 jobs were secured through weaving, which also boosted the weaver workforce, creating a way of retaining weavers by offering support as well as the geographic benefits of working close to home.

As part of the development of these facilities, a teaching app was introduced which increases access and teaching to the craft and puts the autonomy into the hands of those who rely on it economically. Providing an accessible route not only empowers weavers and potential weavers, but also enriches the craft of rug-making, ensuring its passage through the next generation.

Photographed by Anup Paudel.

We’re a B Corp!

We’ve been busy ensuring that our best practices are up to scratch, becoming a B Corp has proven our commitment to a business structure that works for everyone.

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