AURA QUE discount in celebration of FairTrade Fortnight until 3 March 2011

In celebration of Fair Trade Fortnight from now until 3^rd March 2011, AURA QUE is offering 10% discount on ALL products sold through our online boutique. 

Enter code “FTFORTNIGHT2011” at the online check-out to receive 10% discount on all AURA QUE products including the NEW S/S 2011 collection….. Hope you have chance to take a look!

This includes the NEW Spring/Summer 2011 Collection that is now available as well as all SALE stock.  Also, the AURA QUE online boutique provides free UK delivery, and free international delivery for orders over £100.

 

The S/S 2011 Collection includes various styles of soft leather handbags with woven handles in Black, Grey and Brown, small leather goods and the popular Jogi casual cotton bag range in shades of Grey, Slate Blue, Raspberry and Black/White Geometric Print. 

 

 @font-face { font-family: "Times New Roman"; }@font-face { font-family: "Arial"; }@font-face { font-family: "Courier New"; }@font-face { font-family: "Wingdings"; }@font-face { font-family: "Century"; }@font-face { font-family: "Lucida Grande"; }@font-face { font-family: "Verdana"; }p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal { margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; }h1 { margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; page-break-after: avoid; font-size: 13pt; font-family: "Lucida Grande"; color: black; font-weight: normal; }h2 { margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; page-break-after: avoid; font-size: 14pt; font-family: Arial; font-weight: bold; }h3 { margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; line-height: 150%; page-break-after: avoid; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Verdana; font-weight: bold; }h4 { margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; page-break-after: avoid; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: black; font-weight: bold; }h5 { margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; page-break-after: avoid; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Century; font-weight: bold; }p.MsoBodyText, li.MsoBodyText, div.MsoBodyText { margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: black; }p.MsoBodyText2, li.MsoBodyText2, div.MsoBodyText2 { margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; font-size: 10pt; font-family: Verdana; }p.MsoBodyText3, li.MsoBodyText3, div.MsoBodyText3 { margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: black; font-style: italic; }a:link, span.MsoHyperlink { color: blue; text-decoration: underline; }a:visited, span.MsoHyperlinkFollowed { color: purple; text-decoration: underline; }p { margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman"; }div.Section1 { page: Section1; }ol { margin-bottom: 0cm; }ul { margin-bottom: 0cm; }AURA QUE bags, purses and scarves are made by fair trade producers and small family businesses in Nepal, that employ local people, some affected by disabilities, providing an income for themselves and their families according to fair trade principles. 

 

Spring/Summer 2011 Collection Highlights:

Small Handbag - Shown in Grey Leather - RRP: £135

Square Handbag - Shown in Brown Leather - RRP: £149 

 

Large Jogi Bag - Shown in Khaki Brown and Raspberry Pink Woven Cotton - RRP: £23

Please see link below for full product information and pictures: http://shop.auraque.com/products

Hope you have chance to take a look!

I will post up more stories and blog posts about our producers over the next fortnight, so please come back and have a read.

 

Posted via email from AURA QUE

How to manufacture without electricity....

Power cuts and load shedding in Nepal is now a normality.  Kathmandu has a load shedding electricity schedule which means that power is only available at selected times every day.  Currently this mean that most areas have maximum of 12 hrs electricity a day, in various time slots, and can be up to only 5 hours of power a day at some points in the year.

As reported on the BBC news channel:

"One of Nepal's top television networks has begun broadcasting its nightly news bulletin in semi-darkness to highlight the effects of massive power cuts.

Since the beginning of February, Kantipur Television has used only a kerosene (paraffin) lantern to light its 30-minute-long 7pm news bulletin.

The head of Kantipur News said that the aim was to put pressure on the government to tackle the problem...."

For the rest of the article, please see: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-south-asia-12356312

For all businesses in Nepal this is a real challenge - larger businesses have to install generators to have power available throughout the working day for constant work flow with machinery and computers, which is a great added expense for their outgoings.  Smaller businesses, such as the factories and production units that I work with, cannot afford these costs and have to organise their working day around the power cuts. 

This can be really frustrating as without power, the computers and internet will be out of action, so communication with customers abroad can be infrequent and difficult to maintain (I find this really difficult when I am back in the UK and liasing with my producers by phone or email!).  Also, within the factories, many electric machinery will be out of action at certain points in the day.  Though my leather producer uses foot-powered sewing machines, which are not only better for the carbon footprint but avoids this power cut problem! This is a challenge that my producers have faced over the last few years and they work with it the best they can!

Evenings are usually without power, maybe 5 nights in the week, which many of my producers do not seem to mind by eating at candle light and going to bed early (the Nepalese are definately 'morning' people, bussling around their homes and streets from 5am).  For me, it is a hard thing to get use to, the 'rationing' of electricity, as we are so used to it constantly in the UK.

Though Nepali people just get on with it, there is no question how it has affected trade and daily life in Nepal.  It is estimated that only 40% of Nepal's population have access to any electricity, despite the massive possibilities for Hydro-Electicity in Nepal, with estimates that only 2% of the country's hydro power potential has been tapped into. 

With water flowing down from the mountains, Nepal is abundant with possibilities for hydro-power which has been stunted by the change in governments and political situation over the last 15 years.

Posted via email from AURA QUE

Bryan Adams on how to train your guinea-pig......

Since returning to the UK before christmas, I have been busy with the wholesale business and meetings with buyers and customers, as it is now the season of sales and trade shows with London Fashion Week kicking off this weekend!  So apologies for my lack of posts recently!

Just now I was looking through some of my pictures from the last trip to Nepal, and found some great ones I wanted to blog about.....Its also getting me excited about my next visit to Nepal in April....

But for now, here is some random blog entry news:

Here is a picture of an article I found in the Nepali newspaper Himalyan Times, bizarrely giving instructions on how to train your guinea pig.....very strange.....

"While a guinea pig may not be as eager to learn tricks as your average family dog, you may be surprised at how intelligent this animal can be when properly motivated..."

Also, today is 'Democracy Day' in Nepal, with formal ceremonies taking place within the capital Kathmandu, which seems to have been overshadowed by the stadium performance of Bryan Adams to a 35,000+ crowd of Nepalis, this evening - can't really get my head around that..... There will be more relevant news and pics of the people I work with and maybe some new AURA QUE product shots - coming soon!!

Posted via email from AURA QUE

20% off all sales at our AURA QUE online boutique until 31st Jan!!

Check out our online boutique at http://shop.auraque.com for some handbag and accessories bargains!!

Only until 31st Jan 2011....have a look!

Enter the discount code SURYA20 at the online checkout for 20% off your order. 

Free UK delivery and free international delivery for orders over £100.

Posted via email from AURA QUE

Happy New Year from AURA QUE!!

Wishing you all a Happy New Year and best wishes for 2011!!!

I have a feeling its going to be a great year for us all!!

At AURA QUE, we are offering 20% discount off ALL stock in our online boutique - please use discount code 'JAN2011' at the check out! Remember we give free UK delivery, as well as for international orders over £100.

Posted via email from AURA QUE

Made it home for Christmas!!

This year 2010 has been full of disastrous travel, whether it be volcanic ash clouds, indian visa immigration officials, sickness or national political travel strikes by Nepali maoists.....well the latest, is the snow at Heathrow, to finish off the year completely.  After a two month trip to Nepal, I was stuck in Delhi for several days due to my Kingfisher plane being stuck in Brussels because they had 'run out of de-icer'. Classic!!

So after being told I could only fly back to the UK on Boxing Day and with my only 'Christmassy' encounter in the December run-up, being with a half sized felt Santa at a Christmas Bazaar in Kathmandu, I thought Christmas was going to be cancelled for me this year....

Luckily, I got bundled onto a flight with another airline on 22nd and made it home in time for the festivities, for a well needed catch up with my family and friends. Its great going to Nepal for Nov/Dec as you dont have any of the commercial Christmas stuff wearing you down, and you get back (luckily!) for the celebrations to spend time with everyone you love - Happy Christmas to all!!!

Posted via email from AURA QUE

AURA QUE featured in Nepali newspaper: Republica

Many thanks to Sumina Karki for her write up about my work in Nepal, and CIndy Sin Yu Yau for her enthusiasm and help also!

See below:

http://myrepublica.com/portal/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=25806

Posted via email from AURA QUE

Anuradha Koirala, founder of MAITI Nepal, is the CNN Hero for 2010!!

Anuradha Koirala has been awarded the CNN Hero for 2010, in LA on Saturday.  She founded MAITI Nepal in 1993, aiming to help Nepalese women and children affected by domestic violence, trafficking and prostitution, working with over 12,000 individuals.  WIth this award, she was given $100,000 to help continue the work at MAITI! You can see the winning moment in this YouTube clip:

I think its inspiring to see a strong Nepalese woman, with such motivation and kindness, and it is great positive promotion for MAITI and Nepal!! Please see below for more information about MAITI Nepal:

"MAITI Nepal was born out of a crusade to protect Nepali girls and women from crimes like domestic violence, trafficking for flesh trade, child prostitution, child labor and various forms of exploitation and torture. A group of socially committed professionals like teachers, journalists and social workers together formed Maiti Nepal in 1993 to fight against all the social evils inflicted upon our female populace. Most of all, its special focus has always been on preventing trafficking for forced prostitution, rescuing flesh trade victims and rehabilitating them. This social organisation also actively works to find justice for the victimized lot of girls and women by engaging in criminal investigation and waging legal battles against the criminals. It has highlighted the trafficking issue with its strong advocacy from the local to national and international levels."

Please go to www.maitinepal.org

Posted via email from AURA QUE

Tihar Festival of Light - in Nepal

Tihar is a five day Nepalese festival which has been celebrated this week, beginning of November.  Two of these days incorporates the Hindu Festival of Deepavali (Divali), where one day is celebrated for goddess Laxmi and the other one is celebrated to worship brothers for their long life.  All ethnic groups celebrate this festival, and Kathmandu has had a festive vibe for the celebrations.

Little fairy lights and candles decorate all buildings and windows, during this festival of light - the city looks really pretty by night - I loved it!  In one street, they were making this giant floor painting, made from powdered spice, food and colour - it looked so beautiful, with crowds of people having a look at their work!

The fifth and last day of Tihar is Bhai Tika, a day where sisters put tika on forehead of brothers, to ensure long life, and thank them for the protection they give. When the sisters give the tika, the brothers give gifts or money as a return. A special garland is made for the brothers out of a flower that wilts after a couple of months, symbolizing the sister's prayer for her brother's long life.

Posted via email from AURA QUE

AURA QUE gets a mention in Grazia this week!!

I am really pleased that AURA QUE got a mention in fashion magazine, Grazia this week - as a recommended brand for ethical bags by Fashion Conscience founder Lianne Ludlow! Great stuff!

Posted via email from AURA QUE