Kalinko

Kalinko designs beautiful products which empower women and craft communities in Burma. They make simple, sustainably-crafted pieces using natural materials and traditional methods and in doing so provide steady work and economic stability for artisans working in an extremely difficult context. Kalinko favours timeless designs and slow techniques; the onus is on pieces which will wear well, be loved and used for generations to come, and leave a lasting impact on the communities which make them. Kalinko’s founder, Sophie Garnier, lived in Burma for seven years during a short-lived decade of hope and freedom which was ultimately curtailed by a military coup and the return of historical challenges and complexities which persist today. She continues to visit Burma frequently where the Burmese team work with a growing network of expert craftspeople throughout the country. “The products speak for themselves,” says Sophie. “they’re so beautiful. So it’s our job to generate demand and deepen our impact on the communities we support.”