Liz Alig's vintage inspired designs are created in a small studio in Indianapolis. These designs then traverse the globe to be produced by our network of fair trade producer groups with similar values throughout the world. We work closely with these groups to ensure sustainable business practices and provide sewing skills education when needed. In addition to paying a fair wage, we also give 10% of the sales directly back to these organizations as a way to grow their own mission and improve the communities were they work. Below is a list of fair trade partners with whom we are currently working. As our product line and demand grows, we are also constantly expanding to add new fair trade production partners who fit with our vision.

Mi Esperanza

Liz Alig's first partner, located in Tegucigalpa, Honduras, Mi Esperanza is an organization that seeks to empower women by giving them opportunity to make a sustainable income through the production of gifts and clothing. Their mantra "helping women help themselves" is accomplished through skills training courses and micro-business loans. Women at Mi Esperanza produce most of our recycled fashions line.  Liz Alig travels regularly to Mi Esperanza to be a part of the sewing skills training of women who are a part of this program.  Shop for Liz Alig clothing made by Mi Esperanza.

Friends X Change

Our upcycled t-shirt bags are sewn by women from the Friends X Change of Belle-Riviere, Haiti. The T-Shirt bag was designed by Liz Alig. Under Liz’s direction, the bag was handcrafted in Haiti from recycled T-shirts by members of a women’s cooperative who are exploring opportunities to market goods beyond their native borders. The Friends X Change is sponsored by Friends of Belle-Rivière, Inc., a tax-exempt public charity which is dedicated to improving quality-of-life and financial independence for the residents of Belle-Rivière, Haiti who live without the benefits of electricity or running water.

Global Mamas

In Spring 2011, Liz Alig began working with Global Mamas in Ghana who envisions women in Africa to be economically independent. They do this by significantly increasing the revenues of women owned business in Ghana and throughout Africa. Women in Ghana who we partner with through Global Mamas are able to increase their small sewing businesses by manufacturing Liz Alig clothing.  Many of our items created by Global Mamas have an international feel including the very popular Lucy Dress.  Shop for other products made by Global Mamas.

Exodus Refugee International

Liz Alig is also partnering with the international refugee community in Indianapolis through Exodus Refugee International.  Liz Alig scarves, hand warmers, and sweaters are made here in Indianapolis by refugees from Burma who have recently moved to the US.  Partnering with Liz Alig, allows these refugees to utilize their sewing skills to provide a source of income in their new homeland.

GARROBO

Located in El Salvador, Garrobo utilizes upcycled excess fabric rolls that would otherwise go to landfills. Garrobo is a project that supports the economic and social empowerment of underprivileged single mothers and young women through training, job skills upgrade and employment.  The project establishes satellite workshops of about five women and/or up to 20 artisans in areas where jobs are hard to come by within the vicinity of where they live.  This enables them to earn a living close to their homes with their children nearby.  Shop for Liz Alig items made in El Salvador. 

Kumbeshwar Technical School (KTS)

KTS is an organization working Nepal to empower women and children.  Liz Alig has been partnering with them since 2012 to produce hand woven pieces.  KTS provides vocational training in hand knitting along with a vast array of other programs in the communities they work.

Greenola

Greenola is a group of women entrepreneurs who have formed a small worker owned cooperative in Bolivia called K'anchay meaning 'splendor' in Quecha. The K’anchay cooperative is located in Villa Pagador, an immigrant settlement in the dusty outskirts of Cochabamba. Most people came to this neighborhood from the countryside, after a 10 year long drought greatly damaged the traditional agriculture. While over the years some infrastructure has been provided to this area, there is still a dire lack of basic services like water and sanitation. The rate of unemployment is still very high, as is the street criminality. 

The cooperative was created in 2004, and has 10 active member-owners. Solidarity Bridge of Greenola, has provided an interest-free startup loan for this project, which was used for sewing machines, equipment and a guarantee deposit for the work space.   Check out Liz Alig products made by Greenola.