Driven by our passion to share authentic, sustainable products made with classical techniques, we innovate products that are both stylish and modern to appeal to diverse clientele whiles paying tributes to communities making of our materials.
We thus represent our 4 core values with Adinkra symbols. These are symbols of philosophical importance from the Akan people of Ghana and are used as a short form of stating facts in visually.
1. Genuineness and Authenticity symbolised by NSAA (a kind of hand woven fabric)
There is an Akan proverb which says that “He who does not know authentic NSAA will purchase the fake one”.
Today, these traditional techniques of producing fabrics are under a huge threat, with the work of many artisans collapsing due to the influx of cheaper imports which have copied and massively produced the designs. At Wax and Looms we are committed to keeping the traditional methods of fabric production alive and keep artisans in business whiles providing authentic and genuine products to our clientele.
The communities and artisans we work with have skills and techniques. Through our products we will showcase this excellence by giving you a glimpse of how our products are made. With each purchase you get a QR code or key to a video showing you how our products are made.
2. Towards a sustainable future with classical techniques symbolised by SANKOFA
Sankofa literally means “Go back and fetch it”. The symbol is of a bird that is moving forward while looking and fetching what is useful ‘egg’ from the past.
We strongly believe that by connecting and learning from the past, being conscious of our impact on people and the planet today and also in the future, we become effective agents of change with the view that every positive action can contribute to build a better world where no one is left behind. Thus we look into the past to bring to fabrics and beads from traditional techniques to produce clothing and accessories with a modern twist that makes it both stylish and comfortable.
Our holistic approach encompasses social, economic and environmental aspects in sustainable development. Our production is centred on reduce, reuse and recycle. As such we keep a minimum stock and ‘make to order’ such that products and sizes which are in demand will be made in order to avoid waste.
3. Unity in Diversity represented by Funtumfunefu Denkyemfunefu
This is the symbol of two conjoined crocodiles sharing one stomach, depicting unity in diversity for a common goal.
We believe that while we are all different and come from diverse cultures, these differences should not keep us from uniting for the good of humankind and for the betterment of our planet Earth.
We embrace the richness of diversity in all aspects of our work including where we source our materials, in our team, collaborators and clientele.
According to research, physically challenged people are twice as likely to be unemployed compared with the non-physically challenged. In Ghana as in most developing countries, this statistics is even higher due to misconceptions about the ability and productivity of the physically challenged.
At Wax and Looms we believe in merit and letting great work speak for itself. We are very proud to have some of our fabrics sourced from greatly talented physically challenged artisans. With your purchase you help us to ‘even the playing field’ and contribute to a diverse, fairer and better world.
4. Women empowerment symbolised by DUAFE, a wooden comb used by the Akan woman to plait her hair
It is a symbol of feminine qualities such as patience, love and care. Literally it is the symbol of beauty and grooming.
At Wax and Looms we believe that if you empower a woman, they not only reach their full potential but this effect translates to the next generation and beyond. The path to empowerment is being given equitable access to work and providing the opportunity for hard working women to build and expand on their businesses. Currently about 80% of our fabrics and beads are sourced from women artisans.
In addition, we celebrate beauty and femininity in all shapes, sizes and skin tones. Our clothing and accessories are designed in colours and styles to compliment women of different sizes, shapes and skin tones.