Introducing GUAM: Global United Artisan Movement, by CRUMLEY. This is an exciting time for Brian Crumley, who, in collaboration with MADE Fair Trade Jewelry, offers his first diffusion line created by African artisans in Kenya. The collection has launched exclusively with Urban Outfitters for Spring 2009 and is in stores now and offered on their website! Please see the link below. The group features the sustainable materials of Kenya, utilized by Fair Trade producers to create wearable art. The line unifies local recycled materials – metals, bone, kanga fabric, and wood – supporting African communities and additionally, the schools that the MADE organization works hard to aid. It is a special partnership between Crumley and MADE, as it strives to build livelihoods for the artisans of Kabira, a marginalized community in Kenya — and it bridges incredible human spirit with Crumley’s unique design sensibility. The bold colors of Africa, combined with Crumley’s trademark fabric-driven designs make for a distinctive and meaningful collection.
This relationship between Crumley and African artisans continues going into Fall 2009. Brian just returned from an extraordinary development trip to Kenya where inspiration for both the GUAM collection and the eponymous Crumley line was derived from the amazing people he met and the rich materials he discovered, including recycled colored glass and leather. Brian’s other passion, photojournalism, was amply put to use during his journey and he captured the beauty and pride of the Kenyan people on his camera. It was a trip rich in human exploration and Brian’s photographs tell a story of people coming together to create meaning and joy in their life through their art.
Please check out the March Elle magazine and the April Style & Design supplement of TIME for a first look at GUAM. Also check out Gisele wearing Crumley on the March cover of Numero. You can see all of our press in the press section and the updated storefront offers many new styles for sale. Thanks and enjoy!
