Tashomar Bags
The Tashomar Bags reflect the ingenuity and creativity of Afghan women living in a crowded refugee camp in Peshawar, Pakistan. Exclusively created for the Collection, these gorgeous bags are intricately hand-embroidered with striking diamond designs called Tashomar or “counting the stitches” – an ancient Afghani embroidery technique, passed down through the ages.
The Tashomar Embroidered Bag is sturdy and made of canvas. It comes with both a zippered closure and an inside zippered pocket. A distinctive silk braided Afghani tassel hangs from it. The bag measures 10″ long x 9″ wide and is perfect to sling across your shoulder and place your essentials. Available in both a cream or wine color. A story card is included with your purchase.
The Story
Embroidery is unique in Afghanistan, a highly respected form of women’s work, integral to hospitality and culture. Afghan women are able to retain their embroidery earnings, making embroidery one of the most effective ways to boost a woman’s standing and contribution within the household and the larger community.
It is this vision of empowered women’s work that inspired our partner, Zardozi (literally “Golden Embroidery”) an Afghan non profit organization to work with 1500 Afghan women in a variety of situations including refugee camps across the border in Pakistan, in Afghan villages and with landless returnees who are coming home after years in exile.
Linking these skilled women with markets – both international and domestic – supports Zardozi’s vision that it is through responsible enterprise that the women can improve their conditions and build a sense of self worth and value in their communities and families. In this empowered model, embroidery ceases to be just women’s work but now transforms into a powerful symbol for social change.
