How This Brand Is Changing Lives With Handcrafted Home Goods

Years of non-profit work to rescue modern-day slavery victims could not have prepared Mallory Martin for the profound impact of meeting survivors in person in 2019. On a trip from Dallas to South Asia, Martin was moved by their stories and learned how much difficulty they face finding sustainable employment. She soon founded Mended, a for-profit social impact brand that provides fair wages, safe working conditions, training and education to survivors, who use traditional wood-block printing techniques to handcraft tea towels, napkins, place mats and more.

How is Mended changing lives in South Asia? About 42 survivor artisans and children benefit from the work they do with Mended. Their earnings are building homes and granting children education, savings and food security. 

What inspires the product designs? The inspiration for each collection comes from a myriad of things, from the vibrant colors and architecture in South Asia to the modern home trends in the United States.

What’s on the horizon? Our goal by 2033 is to empower 1,000 survivor artisans economically and to have our operations in South Asia led by our survivor team. 

PHOTOS: LAURA SEALE