Here at LK Bennett, our focus is not simply on offering quality, timeless products with a signature feel. We want to put our names to products that offer more than that.

Which is why we are focusing more and more on how we can make our collections as sustainable and ethical as possible. A key collaboration to achieve this for our Spring/Summer ‘22 collection has been working with the fairtrade company Maison Bengal.

Who Are Maison Bengal

Maison Bengal is a fairtrade company that works closely with women and communities in some of the poorest areas of Bangladesh.

With her experience within the aid industry, she worked to develop design ideas and worked closely with fair trade partner organisations to create what would be known as Maison Bengal.

How They Support Women

Maison Bengal works with over 5000 women across Bangladesh yearly, helping to train them with weaving and hand-knotting techniques and supplying them with the ability to work, and do so in a fair and ethical environment.

These skills enable them to earn a wage, which in turn empowers them within their community. It ultimately gives them a form of independence, giving them control and confidence in their life.

95% of producers are women who have very limited access to education and jobs, so the opportunity to earn an income such as that provided by Maison Bengal transforms their life. They are able to ensure they can care for themselves, their family and educate their children for a better future.

Maison Bengal is not simply a supplier, they have close connections with all the women they work with, visiting Bangladesh frequently and have built a community around this organisation.

The LK Bennett X Maison Bengal Collection

The four bags within our collaboration are all 100% jute, macrame bags crafted in the South-West region of Bangladesh.

Macrame is a technique done by hand that uses knots to create products such as handbags, in this case using jute.