KEZA means ‘Beautiful’ in Kinyawanda, the native tongue of Rwanda, where KEZA was born. Our President of the Accessories Council met with them this week and  they sent some of their jewelry over for us to take a look at. I am posting some of the pictures below but here is their story.

KEZA us an ethically driven couture fashion label and business development firm. They develop 100% African owned and operated fashion businesses. KEZA sales enable businesses to earn an income that affords them school fees, health care, food, water, shelter and a path to dignity.

KEZA spent four years in Kigali, Rwanda creating the business and developed solid, replicable systems for the production of manuals, assembly lines, standardized material procedures etc.They learned to operate in a way that left as little of their American footprint in their work as possible.

100% African Owned

The fashion industry is a $298 billion per year market in the US alone and has been extremely resilient even through the recession. Westerners will always want to look and feel good. It’s part of the fabric of our society, on the other side of the world there are thousands of entrepreneurs searching for a viable business that will sustain their families. KEZA unites these two worlds.

$2000 provides income for 50 women and their families

Although Africa is known primarily for disease and poverty it is certainly not the full scope of the continent. KEZA believe that if they can showcase her beauty and excellence they might be able to change the expectations of their people. KEZA teaches their African partners to run their own businesses. They help them develop to the point of profitability, not just sustainability. They teach them how to sell locally and regionally and now internationally.

KEZA is a For-profit social venture

KEZA say that products are priced according to their international market value, not just what they can get away with purchasing them for. This price is far greater than what Fair Trade systems would require them to pay.

100% Paper Based

KEZA is a for profit social venture and when needed their foundation provides funding for school fees for the the children and family health care in order to create an environment conducive for doing business. When you give to the foundation, 100% of the funds go directly yo their partners.

What a wonderful story and we are really proud to be show casing their products. Take a look at their website http://KEZA.COM