Empowering women is an important cause for me. A great company, MarketPlace Handwork of India, contacted me with an opportunity.
MarketPlace Handwork of India is a nonprofit organization dedicated to increasing economic opportunities for women artisans in India, and empowering them to bring about changes in their lives, the lives of their families, and their communities.
Since MarketPlace began in 1986, women who were formerly unemployed, “unemployable” or desperately underemployed have been building new lives around rewarding work, educational opportunities and social support. Over this period, MarketPlace has developed, refined and expanded its model of supported self-help, which involves the artisans directly at all levels of decision-making as they form and manage their own independent cooperatives.
I was blessed with the opportunity to try one of their beautiful creations. I chose this lovely Irla Dress in black and white, made by Nirmaan. It makes me feel good and special to wear a handcrafted garment. The picture below is the image from their website and how the dress was styled with leggings. I want to show you how I rocked this chic dress.
Irla Dress, Black, White
I wanted to style this dress in a way that would be uniquely me. So I folded the dress in front and added a thick black Anne Klein belt and Markon black wedges. It is the same dress; but with a totally different look.
Irla Dress w belt and black wedges
This look just clicked for work and the cotton is so soft.
I added a mulit-coloredpaper wood necklace and Aerosoles red wedges to add a pop of color. LOVE IT!
Irla Dress
I added my bordeaux Dooney and Bourke bag to finish the look. My doggie, Vinny has to always get in the picture.
Side view of dress
By adding the belt it made the dress have the appearance of dolman sleeves. Transforming this dress is such a chameleon effect. My doggie Gio making an appearance.
Perfect!
I truly had so much fun styling this dress. I have a few ideas up my sleeve for this dress in the future. Stay tuned!
Giveaway
I am collaborating with MarketPlace Handwork of India to offer my elegant readers the opportunity to win a $100 gift card to spend on their site. Please visit the MarketPlace Handwork of India website and leave a comment below on this post, on my blog, letting me know which item you like best. Please note, that this giveaway is only available to residents of the United States.
Please submit your comment by Sunday, April 15th and I will randomly choose the winner on Monday, April 16th.
I am so excited for you!
I would like to thank MarketPlace Handwork of India for the opportunity to learn about their great company and to be able to style such a beautiful handcrafted dress.
Thank you!
Very nice post, Tamaki, and lovely dress on you. I didn’t know the site before so thank you for introducing me to it!
Thanks Margaret for stopping by and for your lovely comment. MarketPlace Handwork of India is such a great site.
I really like the tone on tone of the red shoes and burgundy bag. And I would love to try the Kapila dress. I’m bound and determined to be able to wear dresses this spring in San Francisco.
Hi Lisa,
Thank you I love to add a pop of color.
The Kapila dress is gorgeous. The turquoise color is so pretty.
What a wonderful Site! I would choose the Orange and Green Tote Bag!
Hi Debra,
Yes MarketPlace Handwork of India is an awesome site. That tote bag is to cute.
You look lovely my friend. I love their tunics.Thank you for the giveaway opportunity. xo
The tunics are pretty.
What an amazing cause! I love the Chindi Bracelets and Blue Amrita Jacket (and the Bronze/Rose Sakina Jacket, as well) such beautiful pieces, I can’t decide! lol thank you for hosting such a great giveaway!
Xox <3 hautepinkpretty.com
PS Don’t forget to enter my easy *GIVEAWAY* for a $30 e-gift card!
MarketPlace Handwork of India has so many wonderful pieces.
Love the Pilani Dress and I’d have plenty left over for one of the WomanShare bags.
Hey Michelle,
Very cool choices.
JT, this company really reached out to your heart, don’t they? Style with a mission and I love the idea that my purchase empowers women working in INdia! There are so many items to love but one of my faves is the Ikat T-shirt top. It is loose fitting and I think would look good layered over a long sleeved blouse. I also love the harem pants but am not sure I would actually wear them!
I like how you are showing the versatility of the dress. Worn loose it’s a comfy dress for errands and belted, like you’ve done its perfectly office appropriate!
Neat blog! Is your theme custom made or did you download it from somewhere?
A design like yours with a few simple tweeks would really make my blog stand out.
Please let me know where you got your theme. Thank you
If you look on the side I have a link to who designed my blog theme for me. Her site is
myperfectline.com
Cool. I love the possibility of winning stuff!
I visited the site and I must say I really love scarves the best.
My favorite is:
Scarf – Cobalt, White
Code #: 44J-03
$22.00
When you get a moment stop by my blog. I’m doing a give away too!
I’m working with Olay Total Effects and they will be giving away a $50 Visa Gift Card! The contest started today. Stop on by for details.
Thanks for entering Michelle. I will check out your site.
I have been purchasing from Market Place for several years. I love how many of the styles are being ‘westernized’ with their beautiful hand made fabrics. Love what you did with the dress!!!
The work MP does for these women is remarkable.
Thank you for your compliment on how I styled the dress. The work Marketplace is doing is wonderful for the women who create the beautiful garments.
You did an awesome job styling this dress, I love the idea of folding it a bit, I had never thought about that! Now I’m going to wander around in my closet and see if I have anything that can do that 🙂 I’m glad you brought this great collaborative to our attention also, I’m going to check out what else they have, I’m sure they have some beautiful accessories!
Thank you for the compliment Miss ED. Good to hear from you girl!
Please check out Market Place’s site because they have a variety of hand crafted garments and accessories. Don’t forget to enter the giveaway!
I love the Nagina Kaftan in Blue, Turquoise! Great giveaway! I’ve always wanted a Kaftan inspired by that part of the world!
http://www.marketplaceindia.com/product/Nagina_Kaftan_42H-08/53
Shasie of Live Life in Style
Enter my March Jewelry Giveaway
Marketplace offers some great ethnic prints that can be paired with solids or other prints. I like the Punali Tunic in Black, Blue & Natural (Code #: 42C-19). I could think of a million ways to rock this piece!