Mar y Sol is a socially & environmentally responsible company that markets handmade handbags from Madagascar & Kenya. Our colorful accessories blend the traditional and contemporary design ideas of our international artisan partners who incorporate renewable raw materials to create original clutches, totes and shoulder bags. The sale of our products enables families to gain economic independence and promotes environmental conservation.

Laurel Brandstetter launched Mar y Sol, formerly Mad Imports, in 2003 as an outgrowth of a Madagascar-based development project started by her relative, James Sellers. With a background in community development, urban planning and volunteer public health work she realized an opportunity to reduce poverty and improve the quality of life in Malagasy and Kenyan communities through the sale of handmade accessories. Since 2003, Mar y Sol products have appeared in major fashion publications including O, Domino, Lucky, Glamour, Cottage Living and on TV spots including E! News, the Today Show and CNN Headline News. Mar y Sol products are available through its online store and in boutiques and retailers around the world.

Mar y Sol invests in several development efforts. We work with youngsters and staff at the Akany Avoko orphanage to provide supplies, training and funding for the center’s craft workshop. We provide market readiness training workshops to artisan groups and small businesses in Madagascar and Kenya. And, we have facilitated the construction of several clean water wells in rural Kenya with the generous support of private funders. We continue to work closely with our artisan partners to support sustainable economic development projects, provide a venue for artistic expression and to stimulate cross-cultural exchange. We accomplish this through our ongoing product design and development process to ensure that our artisan partners will see sustainable growth from the sale of our products.