In 2012, Chrissie Lam went to Kenya and saw the intricate beadwork the women of the Maasai tribe. She then worked with them to create a bracelet embellished with the word “love.”
Fast forward to 2019, Lam has since partnered with American Eagle Outfitters and Whole Foods Market to promote the bracelets. Anne Hathaway has also worn the Love bracelet forGlamour Magazine’s June 2018 cover story. The enterprise, now called theLove Is Project, has now expanded their production to Africa, South America, and Southeast Asia.
The Philippines is the 10th country the project seeks to collaborate with. “The Love Is Project works with 1,200 female artisans around the world, creating jobs and spreading the message of love,” she says. “We're working with two groups [who] work with [artisans] in Mindanao and that’s where the wood bangles are gonna be made from.”
Aside from the bangles, the capsule collection also features bracelets made with pearls from Palawan. Lam explains that with every country they work in, there is a conscious effort to create products that highlight the distinct culture, heritage, and history each nation has to offer.
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