Today we’d like to introduce you to Tanja Cesh.
Tanja, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
MULXIPLY (pronounced “multiply”) is an ethical accessories brand. Our studio and operations are based in Portland, Maine. Our artisan teams are based in Kathmandu, Nepal where most of our production occurs. Here is the short story of how that came to be.
In 2006 and 2008, I had traveled with a friend to India to do some design-consulting on some of their social enterprises. It was on these trips that I was introduced to the horrors of human trafficking and the pandemic that it is, particularly for women and children in the developing world. Each time I returned home from these trips, I was deeply affected and prompted to figure out a way to use my time and talent to work against modern slavery. As a designer in the fashion world, I was fully aware that my approach would be a creative one, which was exciting and also daunting. I finally left my career in design and art direction in 2010 to do more research on the issue of human trafficking in the South/Southeast Asia to further my understanding of why it was happening and what the best solutions were to preventing it. As a creative, I knew that my work would be focused on understanding job creation programs that were working with at-risk populations primarily in the handicraft sector. My journey is chronicled here: http://beautylostandfound.blogspot.com/2010/08/. I met so many incredible people, organizations, survivors, world-changers in those 4 months. I was inspired by the raw materials and the indigenous use of them in each country I visited. It was also extremely empowering to see lives that were changed by dignified employment — entire families and then villages were transformed as a result of consistent fair wage income. Children could go to school. Literacy rates increased. Women could choose to go to college instead of be married off in their early teen years. Also, in villages that are both educated and economically sufficient, are far less at risk of falling prey to human trafficking schemes. All of this clicked and set the plans in motion for MULXIPLY.
Once I returned to the US, it took about 10 months to really process all I had seen and to formulate an idea that could be sustainably impactful. I landed on this idea of creating modern fair trade accessories that we would design and then collaborate with indigenous artisan groups using their heritage handicraft skills to make our designs. In doing so we were infusing existing artisan groups with ongoing financial support as well as promoting their skills to the western marketplace. Finally, in 2012, we went back to Nepal with our initial prototypes and solidified our first collaborations. Our first collection was a tiny offering of felt and leather pieces that look nothing like our current collection.
We’ve now been in business for over 5 years and it’s been a continuous learning experience. This year alone we infused nearly $100,000 in to the Nepali economy, one of the poorest countries in the world. We now have six artisan partnerships that we collaborate with, many who are now like family to us. We’ve added a jewelry team, two sewing teams, a leather groups and two felting teams. 80% of our artisan groups are women. Our collection is an ever-growing array of modern, minimal gifts and accessories which include the hand felted animals seen in these beautiful photos.
Our collections are found online and in selected shops and museums all over North America. MULXIPLY is opening a brick and mortar shop late summer of 2018 in Portland, Maine.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
This is really meaningful work, but it’s difficult. There have been so many uphill battles and moments when you question everything. But, spending time on the ground in Nepal is ALWAYS a reminder to WHY we do this. Most of the year we are pushing this business forward—figuring out growth patterns, forging relationships, spreadsheets — all business. And then you get off the plane in Nepal and for an entire month it’s all about people and sharing stories over tea. It’s a consistent reminder that YES this is exactly where we need to be doing what we need to do. Also, as the west becomes more aware of the perils of fast fashion, we are ever more committed to working with artisans — people who sew and felt and forge by hand—for them it’s not just another throw-away accessory but a piece that they are proud of making.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with MULXIPLY – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
MULXIPLY is an ethical accessories company which is designed in Portland, Maine and made collaboratively with fair wage artists and craftspeople in Kathmandu, Nepal. Our modern collection is comprised of brass and sterling jewelry, felt and leather bags and unique gifting items. Our aesthetic is minimal and modern with pieces that are elevated but still accessibly priced. At the core of our business model is the understanding that products that are handmade have a story. And all of our products, while designed in the west for the western marketplace, are made by artisans via heritage craftsmanship. It’s very exciting to be part of processes that have been around for hundreds of years and to be advocating for its preservation as well as the elevation of the artisan behind it. Artisans in Nepal, like many places in the developing world, are low-rung vocations. Artists are often impoverished or simply overlooked. Many are at risk of human-trafficking schemes and often forego education for themselves or their families as they cannot afford it. To come alongside artisan groups in places like Nepal and partner with them is not only a way to impact them and their community economically, but their work is exposed to the world and there is great power in dignifying their place as artists in society.
When we started this company we found that many “fair trade” companies were selling products that were very indigenous looking. While this aesthetic is fine for some, we found that there were not many options for people looking for modern pieces that were fairly made. Our collections have always held to a streamlined, minimal and functional approach to design, and we’ve found a very supportive customer base that loves that our products are both modern and fairly made.
One of the things that we are really proud of is the relational component to our partnerships. Our teams have grown with us and there is mutual triumph when a new collection is “born”. We could never do this without them. They are so skilled and earnest in their work. We are proud to be supporting artisans that are literally transforming communities.
So, what’s next? Any big plans?
Our biggest change is that we are opening our first brick and mortar store up here in Portland, Maine. Our fingers are crossed that it will be ready in August.
Pricing:
- • Most of our jewelry is available in brass, silver-plated and sterling, so there is something for everyone. Starting at $22.00
- • Leather goods start at $42.00
- • Gifting items start at $20.00
Contact Info:
- Address: Studio + Showroom: 142 High Street – Suite 513, Portland, ME 04101
Shop (opening late summer): The Black Boxes | 93 Washington (No. 3), Portland, ME 04101 - Website: www.mulxiply.com
- Phone: 207.650.1766
- Email: info@mulxiply.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mulxiply/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mulxiply/
Image Credit:
Model shots: Meredith Brockington
Team/Process Shots: Damon Vrettos / The Abacus Imaging Group
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