Township® & Carla Bruni-Sarkozy
During her official tour in January 2008, France’s first lady Carla Bruni-Sarkozy visited Sophumelela, a Khayelitsha-based women’s sewing co-operative established by Township®. Bruni left with a commemorative ‘Carla’ bag, and a limited edition was later sold at outlets like exclusive Paris fashion boutique Collette to fund Township® development programs.
Township® & Origin Coffee
Bags donated by Origin Coffee to Township® have been beautifully hand embroidered and ornamented by Zimbabwean women refugees. The striking collection of limited edition decorative panels and cushion covers is available for sale, on request.
Township® & Pick n Pay
Township® began collaborating with this leading South African retail chain in 1999, when our eco-friendly fair trade shopping bags were first introduced as a sustainable staple in Western Cape stores. Since then we’ve sold more than half a million bags via Pick n Pay stores, creating sustained work for women-run sewing co-ops in township communities.
Township® & Zolani Mahola
Energetic lead singer of Afro-fusion band Freshlyground, Zolani Mahola was our unofficial ambassador during South Africa’s World Cup year in 2010. Interviewed in Glamour magazine, she said: ‘The minute I heard about Township Patterns, I wanted to get involved in the project. I loved the concept behind it – to empower women.’