After a number of years spent working in the aid industry, MAISON BENGAL‘s founder Sheenagh was constantly impressed by the traditional artisanal skills of weaving and basket making she came across in the poorest areas of Bangladesh. In direct response, she decided to create a fairtrade company on her return to the UK, thereby providing a market for some of these very marginalised communities. Using only locally grown natural materials such as jute and hogla (local sea-grass) she started to develop design ideas and over a period of time, with close collaboration from her local fair trade partner organisations, Maison Bengal now has a comprehensive range of products for sale.
The brand has a loyal following and an established retail clientele worldwide. The products are made with love and are joyful as well as practical and durable.