The Base Project is a socially-motivated fashion brand building a bridge between artisans in the developing world and the US fashion market. Through our fashion products we create jobs and invest in community development projects.
Between the expansive Kalahari Desert and the rugged coastline of the Atlantic Ocean lies Namibia. Up North, nestled along Angola's border is the Kunene region. It is a portion of the country famous for its dramatic landscapes, abundant wildlife, and rich cultural traditions. Often overlooked are the emergent humanitarian concerns in the area: rampant unemployment, limited access to education, the persistent spread of HIV in an area with poor healthcare and frequent shortages of food and water.
Our first project partners with two artisan cooperatives from two Kunene based tribes, Himba and Herero. In Kunene artisan entrepreneurs hand-carve bracelets as a means to support their family as well as their community. We have partnered with these artisans to design & produce our first line of up-cycled bracelets. Our bracelets are fair trade products, providing the artisans additional income for school fees, health care, and food.
Our first project is a collection of 14 hand-carved unisex bracelets. Discarded plastic pipe is collected, hand-cut and carved by local artisans from Northern Namibia. The bracelets unique coloring is a combined result of organic sun exposure and the deep red ochre-tinted soil. The aesthetic is comprable to bone or horn, but no animals are harmed in the process. Inspiration for the designs come from the wildlife, landscape, and rich tribal history of the region.
Founded by entrepreneurial twin brothers, Chris and Doug Akin, The Base Project scours the globe, partnering with local artisans to design and produce locally-sourced, eco-friendly fashion at fair trade prices. These entrepreneurs learn invaluable communication, operations, finance and marketing skills that provide a means to improve their lives and their community. WEAR YOUR IMPACT. We additionally invest a portion of every purchase into community development projects in the artisan's region.