9 August: International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples
Every year, 9 August marks the International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples. We have an enormous amount of respect for - and celebrate - the indigenous communities in Bali every day, and collaborate closely with them to sustain their artisan heritage so that they can continue to flourish. So, we love that there's an official day that encourages us to turn our awareness towards indigenous peoples all the world over.
IRREPLACEABLE SKILLS
Our founder, Lorna, first fell in love with Bali's indigenous culture 20 years ago, and is a passionate advocate for the role that craftsmanship plays within its fabric. In founding STELAR, Lorna ignited an ongoing commitment to preserving that fabric, by ensuring that indigenous ancestral skills continue to be handed down through future generations. We believe that these skills are irreplaceable, and form a critical role in maintaining local heritage and customs.
We up-skill and elevate the expertise of the artisan communities we work with by introducing modern design sensibilities, and working with higher quality materials. This is how we are able to create high quality, handcrafted handbags and accessories that are relevant to the international marketplace. By placing the focus of STELAR on the people and skills behind what we make, we strive to create an authentic connection between you, our customers, and our team of artisans.
OUR ARTISAN COMMUNITIES
By working directly in, and with, the communities that create our products, we support our artisans to remain, and work, within the villages that have inspired their craft over many generations. All our artisans have flexible working hours that support their family responsibilities, and are paid on average 2.4 times the national living wage, which means their communities are thriving.
Our network of artisans spans seven communities within Bali and Lombok, and covers every skill required to make our beautiful bags and accessories. From the growing, harvesting and preparation of our materials, and weaving of panels and straps, to the final construction and assembly - it's all co-ordinated with precision by our super organised operations team on the ground in Bali. And, our conscious business practices foster gender equality, and a collaborative culture with shared objectives - constantly learning together, mutually respectful and deeply nurturing.
"Working with STELAR gives me the flexibility to work from home, tend to my
The International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples exists to raise awareness and protect the rights of the world's indigenous population. The United Nations devised the day in 1994, picking the 9 August as it marks the day of the first meeting of the UN Working Group on Indigenous Populations of the Sub-Commission on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights, which took place in 1982.