Fall/Winter: 2013

This is not a sad story. This is about what we can do right now to change the future. “Sasa” means now in Kiswahili. In each of our designs we seek to harness the ‘power of now’ for our Deaf artisans and the future she is working to create. We hope that in wearing Sasa Designs by the Deaf pieces you are reminded how precious each moment is, and all that it can hold.

Sasa Designs by the Deaf provides training and employment for Deaf women who have faced a lifetime of discrimination. For the first time in their lives, they are recognized for their potential, and not for their inability to communicate with the world at large. You’ll find a wrap named after each of our artisans in this collection — a bracelet that she helped create in order to tell her story.

The women of Sasa Designs by the Deaf have started a new chapter in their lives, a chapter in which they use each moment to build a better life: for themselves, for their children, and for their extended family and community. With their support we are building a social enterprise based on the power of now – and we are thankful to our growing global family for making it possible.

Asante sana for embracing our work, for recognizing that we must act now to extend access to opportunity and honor women throughout the world for all they can be.

Now is her time. Now is our time. Now is the time.

Sasa Designs by the Deaf: building on the power of

Now.

Nancy, Deaf Artisan

“The artist is nothing without the gift, but

the gift is nothing without work.”

— Emile Zola

From leFt to rightSusan Wrap

Kenyan Lace Bracelet in GoldEverlyne Wrap

Nancy Wrap

Cover Photo:Geometrics Necklace

FROM TOPWinterberry 4x WrapVivacious 1x WrapLinden 1x WrapKenyan Lace Bracelet in GoldPeninah Wrap

Geometrics Earrings

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asdfasdfasdfasdfasdfasdfaasdfasdfasdfasdfasdf

asdfasdfasdfasdfasdfaaasdfasdfasdfasdfasdfasdfasdfasdfasdfasasdfasdfasdf

Sun Earrings

Kumihimo Chains Necklace & Earrings - Flamingo

Virginia WrapGeometrics Earrings

Seeds of Change Necklace

Model: Helena Mütze

Regina WrapLeather Toggle Bracelet

Geometrics EarringsRegina Wrap

Model: Marcel Temba

Winterberry 4x WrapLucy Wrap (as choker)Lace Earring (as pendant) in TurquoiseKenyan Lace Bracelet in TurquoiseSnowflake Earring in Turquoise

Model: Lilly Flint

FROM LEFTMerina Wrap

Vivacious 1x WrapKenyan Lace Bracelet in Gold

Sapphire 1x WrapEmerald 1x Wrap

Koi 1x WrapLinden 1x Wrap

Mykonos 1x Wrap

FROM TOPMykonos 1x WrapMerina WrapEmerald 1x WrapLinden 1x WrapSapphire 1x Wrap

“As you grow older, you will discover that you have two hands, one for helping yourself, the other for helping others.” — Audrey Hepburn

Chevron Necklace in VivaciousCascade Earrings

Model: Patience Munyikwa

FROM LEFTVirginia WrapDorothy WrapRegina Wrap

Braids of Hope Necklace - TurquoiseKenyan Lace Bracelet and Earrings - TurquoiseLeather Toggle Bracelet

Infinity Necklace

Flower and Horn Earring - DarkInfinity Necklace - Black

Susan Wrap

Infinity Necklace - BlackSusan Wrap

“There is no passion to be found in

settling for a life that is less than the one you are capable

of living.”

— Nelson Mandela

Geometrics NecklaceLace Earrings in Gold

Geometrics NecklaceKenyan Lace Bracelet in Gold

Koi 1x WrapTurquoise 1x Wrap

FROM TOPKenyan Lace Bracelet in TurquoiseRegina WrapDorothy WrapKenyan Lace Bracelet in Slate Virginia Wrap

Lace and Bone EarringsInfinity Necklace - BlackSeeds of Change NecklaceAnn WrapKenyan Lace Bracelet in Slate

Slate 1x WrapDesert 1x Wrap

Lace and Bone Earrings

FROM LEFTAnn wrapKenyan Lace Bracelet in SlateLinden 1x WrapSasa WrapFlora Wrap

Everlyne WrapDorothy Wrap

Braids of Hope in Olive

Flora Wrap

Sasa WrapDorothy Wrap

Braids of Hope in OliveSnowflake Earring in Turquoise

From top left clockwiseNancy Wrap

Braids of Hope in OliveFlower and Horn Earring - light

Lace Hoop Earring

Cascade Earring

Snowflake Earring in WinterberryBraids of Hope in WinterberryLucy Wrap

Lace Earrings in GoldSeeds of Change NecklaceGold 1x Wrap

WRAPS FROM LEFT:Gold 1x WrapKenyan Lace Bracelet in SlateAlmond 1x WrapPebble 1x WrapKenyan Lace Bracelet in GoldSlate 1x Wrap

Chevron Necklace - SlateSnowflake Earrings in Slate Sasa Wrap

“We have to choose joy and keep choosing it.”

— Henri J.M. Nouwen

ABoUt SASA DeSigNS BY the DeAF:The world appears smaller and smaller as globalization, travel and business blur the lines between countries and continents. Regardless of whether buildings are getting taller and Internet is getting faster, in the developing world the wheels of progress remain in the hands of women. From Kenya’s slums to the rural shamba (farm), women continue to do the backbreaking work to pull vitality from the earth for the sake of their children. Mothers carry cooking wood for miles, jugs of water upon their heads and sit over stewing pots of porridge to prepare healthy food before their children go to school.

Dotted throughout the country are a unique group of women doing all these things in a veil of silence. Resilient after years of being labeled as “dumb” or “slow” they face significant discrimination from the community at large (and often their own families). The lucky ones may have attended special Deaf schools where they learned Kenyan Sign Language and skills for survival, but their job prospects remain bleak.

In Kenya, 85% of Deaf people are jobless.

Sasa Designs is committed to changing this reality by providing skills training and jobs to Deaf women throughout the country. In our first year of production we trained 12 artisans to produce our first collections. Many of these women are already dream-ing of starting their own jewelry businesses to take advantage of Kenya’s growing local market. As we mature we hope to empower women in slums throughout the nation to produce pieces for our line as well as their own small businesses.

Thank you for being a part of Sasa Design’s beginnings and the journey we are embarking on to change the future for Deaf women in Kenya, and someday, beyond.

Flora, Deaf Artisan

Ann, after a lifetime being rejected by family members, is now a proud mother and artisan. She says of her family, “Now they are aware that being a Deaf person does not make someone useless.”

Dorothy, having been ostracized throughout her life due to her deafness, is now proud of who she is and her ability to work and take care of herself. She loves reading and visiting friends on the weekends.

Flora is Sasa Design’s most dedicated artisan. Flora is a single mom who embodies the mission of Sasa Designs. Flora says, “I am proud because I am an employed person, so am able to take care of my kids and provide their needs.”

Nancy is Sasa Design’s lead artisan and is responsible for training all new artisans and overseeing production. A brilliant communicator, she prays her daughter Grace will grow up to accept her and her husband as deaf parents.

Peninah is our Assistant Lead Artisan. An incredibly skilled artisan, she dreams of starting her own business to employ other Deaf artisans someday. Peninah loves to swim and visit family and friends up country when she is able to.

Regina has a bright personality and is one of our fastest and most skilled workers. Growing up she feared she would always be dependent on her family – but now she is able to take care of herself and her children.

Susan’s only work experience before joining Sasa had been collecting trash for recycling. When she looks to the future she hopes her son will get a good job as a professional or a doctor.

Virginia struggled throughout high school due to a lack of finances and support, and was not optimistic about finding work. Now that she’s joined Sasa, she is thankful that she can support her children.

Merina is a single mom who joined Sasa Designs in early 2013. Though her son currently lives with Merina’s family in the rural areas, she is saving her earnings to bring him to the city and enroll him in a better school.

Megan has been managing Sasa Designs since shortly after it began. A veteran of the Fair Trade arena, she has lived and worked in Kenya since 2008 and is committed to empowering women through market access and design.

Lucy is fast becoming one of Sasa Design’s most valued artisans. Having previously worked at a clothing factory that operated in the middle of the night, Lucy is thankful for the positive work environment she now enjoys at Sasa Designs.

Everlyne, as one of our youngest artisans, has experienced a great deal of trauma in recent years. Working hard to raise a young child, we are blessed to see her smiling more and more each day.

ANN WrAP#B04FW13Cost: $40

DorothY WrAP#B07FW13Cost: $45

everlYNe WrAP#B05FW13Cost: $45

FlorA WrAP#B03FW13Cost: $45

NANCY WrAP#B01FW13Cost: $45

FA L L / W I N T E R

2 013 C ATA LO GALL PIECES AVAIL ABLE FOR RETAIL ORDERS STARTING AUGUST 2013,AND WHOLESALE ORDERS STARTING JULY 2013.

SASA WrAP#B02FW13Cost: $40

SUSAN WrAP#B06FW13Cost: $45

AlmoND 1x WrAP#B14FW13Cost: $16

golD 1x WrAP#B15FW13Cost: $16

lUCY WrAP#B08FW13Cost: $40

meriNA WrAP#B09FW13Cost: $40

PeNiNAh WrAP#B10FW13Cost: $40

virgiNiA WrAP #B11FW13Cost: $45

WiNterBerrY WrAP#B13FW13Cost: $45

regiNA WrAP#B12FW13Cost: $40

DeSert 1x WrAP#B16FW13Cost: $16

liNDeN 1x WrAP#B20FW13Cost: $16

FA L L / W I N T E R 2 01 3 C ATA L O G

emerAlD 1x WrAP#B18FW13Cost: $16

mYkoNoS 1x WrAP#B19FW13Cost: $16

PeBBle 1x WrAP#B30FW13Cost: $16

SlAte 1x WrAP#B17FW13Cost: $16

vivACioUS 1x WrAP#B22FW13Cost: $16

tUrqUoiSe 1x WrAP#B23FW13Cost: $16

keNYAN lACe BrACelet SlAte#B26FW13Cost: $24

keNYAN lACe BrACelet golD#B27FW13Cost: $24

keNYAN lACe BrACelet tUrqUoiSe#B28FW13Cost: $24

leAther toggle BrACelet#B29FW13Cost: $14

lACe hooP eArriNgS#E04FW13Cost: $14

SAPPhire 1x WrAP#B24FW13Cost: $16

koi 1x WrAP#B25FW13Cost: $16

FloWer AND horN eArriNgS-DArk#E05FW13Cost: $14

FloWer AND horN eArriNgS-light#E06FW13Cost: $14

FA L L / W I N T E R 2 01 3 C ATA L O G

WiNterBerrY 1x WrAP#B21FW13Cost: $16

SNoWFlAke eArriNgS SlAte#E01FW13Cost: $14

SNoWFlAke eArriNgS WiNterBerrY#E02FW13Cost: $14

SNoWFlAke eArriNgS tUrqUoiSe#E03FW13Cost: $14

lACe AND BoNe eArriNgS#E07FW13Cost: $14

geometriC eArriNgS#E08FW13Cost: $14

CASCADe eArriNgS#E09FW13Cost: $14

keNYAN lACe eArriNgS-golD#E10FW13Cost: $14

keNYAN lACe eArriNgS-SlAte#E11FW13Cost: $14

iNFiNitY NeCklACe - BlACk#N03FW13Cost: $25

FA L L / W I N T E R 2 01 3 C ATA L O G

ChevroN vivACioUS NeCklACe#N01FW13Cost: $25

ChevroN SlAte NeCklACe# N02FW13

Cost: $25

keNYAN lACe eArriNgS-tUrqUoiSe#E12FW13Cost: $14

BrAiDS oF hoPe NeCklACe olive#N05FW13Cost: $40

BrAiDS oF hoPe NeCklACe WiNterBerrY#N06FW13Cost: $40

BrAiDS oF hoPe NeCklACe tUrqUoiSe#N07FW13Cost: $40

geometriCS NeCklACe#N08FW13Cost: $28

FA L L / W I N T E R 2 01 3 C ATA L O G

SeeDS oF ChANge NeCklACe#N04FW13Cost: $30

( 9 1 9 ) 5 2 1 - 5 2 2 5 | i n f o @ s a s a d e s i g n s b y t h e d e a f . c o m | w w w . s a s a d e s i g n s b y t h e d e a f . c o m

Our gratitude to modelsLilly Flint, Marcel Temba, Patience Munyikwa, Helena Mütze

for being the faces of Sasa Designs this season

Photography and layout: Christena DowsettPhotography assistant: MaryAnne Mumbi

Wardrobe Assistance: Diana Akelo of Jadia Creations

Art direction: Megan MacDonald

Jewelry Design: Megan MacDonald and Emmanuel Semat of Emmasmart Creations

Shot on location at Tribe Hotel in Nairobi, Kenya. Our thanks to Shamim Ehsani and Michael & Lilly Flint for their assistance.