Photo by Samantha Casolari
Mad Imports is a socially & environmentally
responsible company that markets handmade fashion accessories from Madagascar & Kenya
. Our eclectic accessories blend traditional and contemporary design ideas
of our international design team who incorporate renewable raw materials to
create vivid & original clutches, totes and shoulder bags. The sale of
our products enables families to gain economic independence and promotes environmental
conservation.
Laurel Brandstetter launched 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
local communities through the sale of handmade products. Since 2003, Mad Imports’ products
have appeared in major fashion publications including O, Domino, Lucky, Glamour,
Cottage Living and TV spots including E! News and the CBS early show. Mad Imports
currently retails products through its online store and wholesales products
to boutiques and retailers around the world.
New York based designer, Jamila Hubbard, joined Mad Imports in 2004 as a
fashion designer and marketing associate. She studied fashion design at FIDM
in San Francisco and FIT in New York . Previously, Jamila interned with Diane
Von Furstenberg’s design house and as worked a designer and rep for Milford
Design Studio. She is committed to using her creativity and love for design
to make a positive difference in people’s lives beyond the ownership
of pretty things. Jamila has since worked as a designer with Mad Imports, collaborating
with Malagasy artisans to create innovative collections.
Mad Imports invests in several development efforts. Currently, we fund the
education of the children of our weaver partners and work closely with the
Akany Avoko orphanage to provide educational materials and support for special
projects. Further, we developed a partnership with a community of women in
Kenya , supporting their micro-enterprise and funding community development
projects. 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 product
design workshops and market readiness training programs.
Mad Imports
262 Court Street #3
Brooklyn , NY 11231
Phone / Fax: 718.802.9757
laurel@madimports.org
