Kavitha Nagaraj is one of the artisans behind the collection. Less than a year ago Kavitha had never woven anything at all, let alone a banana bark basket. Since then she’s learned all parts of the weaving process and she’s now responsible for quality control at Industree’s production hub in Madurai. Earning an income makes everyday life a little bit less stressful and gives her and her husband the chance to send their two sons to a good school.
BOTANISK – sprouting hope
Made by 5600 sure-handed artisans, BOTANISK is a collection of plant pots, baskets and other indoor gardening pieces that make ‘seeds of hope’ sprout. Not only from the planting and potting – but also from the thousands of jobs created for people who need it the most.
Six social enterprises have worked together with IKEA to create the products: Rangsutra, Industree, and Ramesh Flowers in India, Doi Tung DP in Thailand, Jordan River Foundation in Jordan, and MBQ in Romania. They all have business ideas that are based on creating jobs in vulnerable regions.
Traditional craft meets modern design
"The whole collection is made with people in mind. We’ve constantly had to consider that these products are made by people, and not machines. From start to finish the process has been all about the collaboration."
Maria O’Brian, Creative Leader IKEA
The collaboration merges traditional craft and modern design and the outcome is a collection of unique, handmade products such as plant pots, baskets, paper pot maker, tool bag, and other indoor gardening equipment and tools. Everything is made of natural materials like banana fibre, jute, and cotton. Materials that have been picked to reflect the botanical theme.
BOTANISK will launch in selected IKEA markets during March and June 2020.
Go to ikea.com to see if BOTANISK is available in your region.