SEATTLE, Oct. 9, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Nordstrom (NYSE:
JWN) and Me to We, an organization that provides socially
responsible products, today announced that Nordstrom will be the
first U.S. retailer to offer the Me to We Artisans collection of
original jewelry hand-crafted by Maasai Mamas living in
Kenya. Select styles will be
available in 10 Nordstrom stores and at Nordstrom.com. Me to We
empowers the women who create the sustainably-produced,
locally-sourced accessories by paying a fair wage that allows them
greater opportunities to support their families and communities.
The items also support Free The Children, Me to We's charity
partner, that works locally to educate, engage and empower
youth to make a difference in their own communities and
internationally to remove the barriers to education and end the
cycle of poverty.
"We currently employ more than 600 Artisan Mamas who live in
Free the Children communities across Kenya," says Roxanne
Joyal, founder of Me to We Artisans. "Together, we leverage
the artistic ingenuity of their traditional Maasai beadwork and
style pieces into collections that are on-trend with the current
and evolving fashion markets. We are grateful to be partnering with
Nordstrom, working together to provide young customers with
purchasing options that truly make a difference."
Prices range from $5 to $100 and
items include necklaces, rings, bracelets and earrings. Me to We
Style organic cotton t-shirts, will also be available online at
Nordstrom.com.
One of the most popular items in the line is the $10 Rafiki Friend
Chain, which comes in five vibrant colorways, each
representing a different cause (water, health, education, food
security and alternative income). With every Rafiki (Swahili for
'friend') sold, a gift such as clean water, school supplies,
wholesome meals, healthcare and sustainable financial tools is
given to children and families in Free The Children communities
overseas. This modern take on friendship bracelets is part of Me to
We's Track Your Impact initiative, and by using a special
code on the back of the Rafiki's packaging, customers can visit a
website to learn about the community they supported through their
purchase.
"We love the idea of offering our customers on-trend merchandise
that also provides them with the opportunity to celebrate
friendship through giving back and making a difference," said
Jennifer Jackson, corporate
merchandise manager for BP./Kids at Nordstrom. "We hope that this
Me to We Artisans collection will inspire and empower our customers
to look for more ways to make a positive impact in their
communities and our world."
The Me to We merchandise is online at Nordstrom.com and will
also be available in the BP. department of 10 Nordstrom stores:
Downtown Seattle (Seattle)
|
San Francisco Centre (San
Francisco)
|
Downtown Portland (Portland, Ore.)
|
Westfarms Mall (Farmington, Conn.)
|
Mall of America (Bloomington,
Minn.)
|
The Mall at Short Hills (Short Hills,
N.J.)
|
Santa Monica Place (Santa Monica,
Calif.)
|
King of Prussia Mall (King of Prussia,
Pa.)
|
Irvine Spectrum Center (Irvine,
Calif.)
|
Galleria Dallas (Dallas)
|
To kick off the partnership, Nordstrom Mall of America in
Bloomington, Minn., will host a
live performance from the Kenyan Boys Choir and a book reading by
Robin Wisztowaty, author of "My Maasai Life," on Saturday, October 12 from 1 to 3 p.m.
Background information on Me to We, the Kenyan Boys Choir and
Robin Wisztowaty, as well as product images, can be found in the
Nordstrom Press Room.
About Nordstrom
Nordstrom, Inc. is one of the
leading fashion specialty retailers based in the U.S. Founded in
1901 as a shoe store in Seattle, today Nordstrom operates 252
stores in 34 states, including 117 full-line stores,
132 Nordstrom Racks, two Jeffrey boutiques and one
clearance store. Nordstrom also serves customers
through Nordstrom.com and in the online private sale
marketplace, HauteLook. Nordstrom, Inc.'s common stock is
publicly traded on the NYSE under the symbol JWN.
About Me to We
Me to We is an innovative social
enterprise that offers socially conscious products and services,
including socially conscious and environmentally friendly clothes
and accessories, as well as life-changing international volunteer
trips, leadership training programs and materials, an inspirational
speakers bureau, and books which address issues of positive social
change. In addition, half of Me to We's net profit is donated to
Free The Children, while the other half is reinvested to grow the
enterprise and its social mission. Visit www.metowe.com for more
information.
For additional information, please
contact:
Natalie Schoffer
Manager, Public Relations
Me to We
natalie.schoffer@metowe.com
416-925-5894 ext. 331
Emily Romans
Nordstrom
emily.m.romans@nordstrom.com
206.303.3034
(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20001011/NORDLOGO)
SOURCE Nordstrom; Me to We