Former Microsoft employee Afshan Abbas streamlines sourcing to bridge the gap between customer and craftsman by bringing project to Kickstarter
Bellevue, WA — February 17, 2016 | When Afshan Abbas visited hometown Karachi in Pakistan, early in 2013, the marketplace was the first stop. There were many artisans working tirelessly but lovingly, creating brightly colored sandals known as “kolhapuri” that were being sold at the market. The Microsoft engineer bought a few pairs and began wearing them back home in Seattle, where raves were received for the new footwear. That was the moment inspiration struck, that these unique shoes must be seen around the world—and Fuchsia Shoes was born. Abbas along with fellow Microsoft engineers Rameez Sajwani and Hamad Khawaja launched the company in the summer of 2014.
The founders launched a crowdfunding campaign on February 16th through Kickstarter. In less than 30 hours, the campaign met its target of $10,000 appearing as the most popular in footwear category on Kickstarter. The 32-day campaign aims to employ craftspeople full time and provide them with essential benefits. The company also hopes to invest in women’s training programs so that it can employ more female artisans.
The desire to bridge the gap for these workers making pennies for the beautiful work they were creating between customer and craftsman allowed Abbas and partners to pay the artisans a fair, living wage became part of the solution to taking these artisans out of poverty. Fuchsia has streamlined sourcing so that the shoes made by Pakistani artisans could be sold worldwide. Customers who buy Fuchsia shoes also receive information about the artisan who made them and the distinctive process of crafting the products.
“I wanted to do something that has an impact on human lives, especially women,” said Abbas. “Fuchsia was the perfect opportunity to live my dream,” says Abbas. Fuchsia Shoes isn’t your average shoe company. In addition to their unique design, Fuchsia’s ballet flats and sandals are hand crafted in Pakistan by cottage industry artists who spend up to three weeks making each pair of shoes using traditional methods. The process begins by acquiring leather through tanneries, which goes through several steps of cleaning and processing. The craftsman then cut the sole and upper from the leather sheets. Post treatment the uppers go for embroidery and then get stitched with the outer sole. After this the shoes get shaped and sized by hammering shoes trees in them. Finally sock liners are put in for enhancing aesthetics and comfort.
One of the Fuchsia female artisan’s dream is to provide education to her children that she never got.
About Fuchsia Shoes
Founded in 2014, Fuchsia is a fashion brand. A movement that connects the cottage industry artisans from Pakistan to the western fashion world. Quality and comfort are the most important tenants to Fuchsia, and are never compromised. Each pair of Fuchsia shoe is handmade for you by dedicated artisans who put into their work creativity, love, and passion.
Visit www.fuchsiashoes.com for more information.
Contact: Afshan Abbas
Phone: +1.206.375.7196
Email: afshan@fuchsiashoes.com
