At Manelleh we love the Kantha tradition and its history. Kantha is a centuries-old method of stitching or embroidering that originally comes from Bangladesh and India.

Originally, women would take their old clothes and stitch them together to make warm blankets for the winter.

Today the Kantha blanket is used, for example, as a throw or bedspread. The beautiful colors and patterns make each one a small, unique work of art, used as a lovely decoration in the home.

Finally, the Kantha tradition is deeply meaningful because it gives new life to something old.

At Manelleh, we're passionate about traditional basket weaving.

For centuries, handicrafts made by locals, such as basket weaving, have been a strong tradition in the rural areas of Bangladesh. It can take a woman a whole day to weave a single basket.

This craft tradition helps support local employment and also helps sustain the economy and culture of rural communities.

At Manelleh, we love upcycling beautiful saris and transforming them into new, unique products.

A sari is a length of fabric traditionally worn by women in India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Nepal. It can be an heirloom passed down through generations and used for special occasions, or a garment worn every day.

A sari can be draped in different ways depending on the country, region and local traditions. They come in an endless array of colors and patterns. Materials include cotton, silk and other fibers.

At Manelleh we sell jute products because jute is a great choice as an eco-friendly material.

The fibers from jute are extracted from the bark of the jute plant and require very little water — mainly rainwater and, if needed, a small amount of fertilizer to grow. The fiber goes through an extensive processing procedure before it becomes a finished jute product.

The jute plant is common in India and Bangladesh. The fiber is also called "The Golden Fiber" because of its lustrous golden color.

We use GOTS-certified organic cotton wherever possible.

The Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) is the most recognized global standard for the processing of organic fibers.

The standard is backed by independent third-party certification and guarantees compliance with a wide range of environmental and social criteria throughout the entire supply chain.

GOTS-certified textiles must contain a minimum of 70% certified organic fibers.

At Manelleh, we love hand-woven rugs (doormats and runners). Most of our rugs are woven from jute or a combination of jute and cotton.

For centuries, crafts made by locals, such as weaving, have been a strong tradition in the rural areas of Bangladesh. It takes about half a day for a woman to weave a doormat.

Like basket weaving, this craft tradition helps create local employment. It also helps sustain the economy and culture of rural areas.

Every time you buy a product from Manelleh, you help create decent, meaningful, and dignified jobs for more women. Your purchase helps make a lasting, positive difference for the women and their families.