5 Days 'til the Runway!

We are so so so excited for A Fair Trade Fashion Show, this Saturday, Aug. 29 at 6 p.m!

Come to the downtown L.A. Arts District and join us, Bead & Reel, the Arts District Co-Op, and wonderful designers as we show of just how fashionable fair trade can be. There will be snacks courtesy of Bohemia Food Truck, an open bar, a panel discussion featuring fair trade experts (including our own Katie Bond) and a rockin' all vegan fashion show.

Tickets can be purchased here for just $10. We can't wait to see you all there!

Congolese Artists Featured in New Parisian Exhibit

In a refreshing new perspective, Paris' Foundation Cartier has chosen to feature Congolese artists in it's new exhibit—Beauté Congo, 1926-2015—which was unveiled on July 11.

© Luc Boegly

For a country that is often the source of news stories regarding violence and poverty, it's wonderful to see the beauty and artistry that stems from the area receive recognition as well. The works in the exhibit span nearly 100 years, documenting a history of art that many people don't even know exists. Featured artists include contemporary painters Jean Paul Mika and Cheri Samba, as well as veteran creative minds such as the late photographer Jean Depara.

Jean Depara, Untitled, c. 1955-1965Collection Revue Noire, Paris © Jean Depara

The Foundation Cartier website describes the exhibit as follows:

"A place of extraordinary cultural vitality, the creative spirit of the Democratic Republic of the Congo will be honored in the exhibition Beauté Congo – 1926-2015 – Congo Kitoko presented at the Fondation Cartier pour l’art contemporain with André Magnin, Chief Curator."

Beauté Congo will be on display at Fondation Cartier pour l'art contemporain until November 2015.

Tent Sale with Ten Thousand Villages

This past weekend, The Peace Exchange was thrilled to partner with Ten Thousand Villages Pasadena as a part of their anniversary tent sale—their largest sale to date.

As one of the world's largest and oldest fair trade organizations, Ten Thousand Villages has built incredible relationships with the fair trade community over the past 60 years, and their Pasadena retail location carries jewelry, rugs, clothing and more from more than 130 artisan groups from nearly 40 countries!

On Saturday, July 18, The Peace Exchange was one of those groups, offering merchandise at a 20% discount. Co-founder Katie Bond was on hand to discuss all things fair trade and, of course, check out the goodies from the other global artisans. It was the perfect opportunity to network with other organizations who are just as passionate about fair trade and get the word out about our mission and our products.

Thank you Ten Thousand Villages!

What is Fair Trade?

At the Peace Exchange, we believe strongly in the principles behind the fair trade label and strive to embody them in everything we do. However, often the label itself is not explained. Here, we've listed the World Fair Trade Organization's 10 principles of fair trade so you—our supporters—know just where your support is going!

1.    Creating opportunities for economically disadvantaged producers

100% of our seamstresses report an improvement in their quality of life since starting our program.

2.    Transparency and accountability

3.    Fair trading practices

4.    Payment at a fair price

We pay our workers a working wage so they can afford housing, food, and school tuition for their children.

5.    Ensuring no child labor and forced labor

6.    Commitment to non discrimination, gender equity and freedom of association

7.    Ensuring good working conditions

Founder, Katie Bond, and board member, Iris Bourne, join Peace Exchange seamstresses outside our new sewing center.

8.    Providing capacity building

9.    Promoting fair trade

10. Respect for the environment

Happy Hour with The Peace Exchange

Join Us!   June 25th 4 - 6pm  with our new partner Chris Olsen owner of the Wine Gallery Laguna Beach. 

1833 S Coast Hwy #110 Laguna Beach

Join us for a night of fun.  Hear the latest from our Kickstarter Campaign and how we used the funds to open a second sewing center in DR Congo.  As we have recently returned from our trip, we will be giving the latest information about what is happening in Fair Trade and how The Peace Exchange is growing.  New products will be available for purchase.  Special thanks will be given to our donors.  A portion of all sales from the happy hour will go to the non-profit.  Hope to see you there.  

Bring a friend!!!

EXTRA! EXTRA! READ ALL ABOUT IT!

Laguna Beach Magazine's

THE ARTS ISSUE

June 2015 

No. 54

with

The Peace Exchange

Jody Tiongco

http://lagunabeachmagazine.com/wonder-women-of-the-peace-exchange/

"Educators-turned-philanthropists Katie Bond and Iris Bourne are leaders of The Peace Exchange, a Laguna Beach nonprofit that partners with organizations in developing countries to create sustainable jobs for women in need. It began a few years ago with a sewing facility in the Congo producing fair trade throws, napkins, yoga bags, totes and more, and now includes a second sewing center in the region. Today, Katie and Iris are planning for a jewelry-making workshop in Nepal; they aimed to visit the country in April, but were forced to postpone the trip due to the earthquake."

But the group’s vision goes beyond providing jobs. By receiving pay per item as well as premium wages—five times the daily rate of other workers in the region—The Peace Exchange artisans in the Congo can afford to send their children to school. “At the foundational root, we believe lasting change will come from the education of these women’s children,” Katie says. “But in order to do that, we need to give the women work.”
 Bria Balliet & Katherine Duncan

We did it! The Peace Exchange opens new sewing center in Bukavu

Thanks to your WONDERFUL support, our fearless leaders Katie and Iris were able to open up our second sewing center on their recent trip to the Congo. With your help, The Peace Exchange raised more than $15,000 via Kickstarter to get the new center up and running, doubling the number of women we are able to employ.

Education is not free in the Congo, and the jobs created by this new sewing center in the city of Bukavu help our seamstresses (most of them single mothers) provide schooling for their children.

We are so thrilled, and we could not have done it without your help! Thank you!!

Visit ThePeaceExchange.com for more information and to see the items being made by these incredible women in the Congo.