Celebrating Silverchilli

 

by Deborah Miarkowska

Silverchilli is an exciting fairtrade jewellery brand  who EcoChic Collection is delighted to be working alongside.

What is the Silverchilli inspiration?

The company came about through the various interests of four people, three Brits and a Mexican. Rocio Ordonez is a Mexican Graphic designer with a passion for Fair Trade; Iain Mabbott developed the website; Zoë Young and Jane Kellas have a personal commitment to Fair Trade that is reflected both in and outside of their careers in the international development sector.We also receive the generous voluntary assistance of our Press Officer, Cathy Macmillan, and advice on our business development from Daniel Meguille at the Haringey Business Development Agency.

Starting at a time when most dot.com’ers were making their millions, in late 1999, the aim was to use the power of the web to open up opportunities to bring Fair Trade jewellery to people who may never visit Mexico, but, through their shopping choice, could enhance the lives of whole communities.

Silverchilli was also borne out of a desire to blow away the myth that ‘third world’ goods/crafts are of an inferior quality, to be bought out of sympathy for the cause rather than true desire for the product. An ironic perception when you consider that most ‘labelled’ clothing is made in sweatshops in the developing world, and that most Fair Trade goods are hand made to a high quality.

What Does It Mean To Be A Silversmith Working With Silverchilli?

SILVERCHILLI pays 50% in advance for all the orders to help fund raw materials, so the silversmiths are never out of pocket, and 50% on delivery.

SILVERCHILLI works with silversmiths that belong to an association called Sociedad Cooperava de Consumo Jumil de Plata - a cooperative for silversmiths.

Meet the Silverchilli producers..

Lidia and Felipe are part of a group of producers whose name translates as ‘dignified life’ . They started together in business after learning the trade through classes. In the beginning they just made items for friends and family but then moved on to make a business. It has been very tough and both of them have had to move back in with their families whilst their business grows. They say that they like working with Silverchilli because we pay part in advance and the balance on time, whilst all their other customers usually take 60 days or more, making it very hard to make ends meet. They also like the fact that we have a written agreement between us - this is again something they do not have with other customers. Altogether their business helps to support nine people in their family.

The objectives of Silverchilli are to:

• Protect the silversmiths from the shop owner ‘mafia’. They do this by finding other markets in Mexico where they can sell the silver at a higher price.
• Ensure that silversmiths are paid on delivery.
• Guarantees the quality of the silver (sterling is .925g) and the work to the purchaser.
• Raise awareness of issues important to the silversmiths and their environment.
• To have increased capacity for the individual through belonging to the cooperative.

View our Silverchilli range HERE

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