2. Please tell us the sweetest and most touching story behind the people who weave your bags.
I can think of 3 off the top of my head so I'll let you pick.

One is about a women with several children. Her husband died when she had just begun working as an artisan making bags for Mad Imports. She was really desperate and afraid for her family since they would now only have one income. They were very poor. She has since developed her business to a point where she purchased her own equipment, sewing machines, etc and has several employees to whom she outsources work for Mad Imports. She and her family are thriving.

Another is when I magically found a donor to help us build a well in one of our parter villages in rural Kenya. When they delivered the supplies for the construction of the first well the women broke out into dance and song in celebration. We have since built three wells and are working on funding for two more.

The third is from my most recent trip to Madagascar. I met with the artisans and discussed their work with Mad Imports, their quality of life, etc. We talked about an education fund for their children and other community development possibilities. Across the board they had only one request for how Mad Imports could assist them..."Bring us more orders!" I was very moved by this since I'm always racking my brain trying to figure out how Mad Imports can make additional investments with its limited resources. The fact that they want more work so that they can make their own decisions and investments in their communities and families with increased resources reminded me to focus primarily on increasing income earning opportunities by increasing sales of Mad Imports bags.

3. The colors and textures in the collection are so vibrant, rich and durable. How do you find this stuff?
It's what drew me to work in Madagascar in the first place. Raffia is such an incredible material. Its natural oils make it great for dyeing in vivid colors and the fiber, when woven in creative ways, is really strong and great for handbags. When our artisans take these natural materials and apply their incredible weaving, crochet and braiding techniques you get great texture and design. I collaborate with the artisans and local fashion designers to create collections that make the most of these qualities. In Madagascar you see men and women everywhere with baskets and bags of raffia and reed in all colors, shapes, and sizes. They're very functional. I've seen them filled with everything from fish to firewood.

4. What's the most delicious thing that you've eaten in Madagascar? How about the strangest thing?
A dish called Vary Aminanana is my absolute favorite. It's a very basic staple Malagasy food that is a kind of soupy rice with a bit of greens mixed in. Put some chile in it. YUM!!!! There is a similar dish that incorporates random pieces of beef, often including bits of bone and grisel. Not for me. The local moonshine - which I believe is illegal in Madagascar - tastes, smells and feels (on the inside) like rubbing alcohol.

5. What do you envision for the future of small-scale, fair-trade production?
I just think it's great when people make really beautiful products that are fair trade. It's disappointing that most fair trade stuff is not very inventive. I view it as an opportunity for a cross-cultural design experience where together we can create something really exciting and relevant rather than just pulling stuff out of a tourist market with a "save the world" mentality. At the same time, I am definitely not knocking anyone doing fair trade work. It's a tough business to thrive in and do something innovative at the same time. Often artisan groups lack access to resources that inspire or allow them to create products for the foreign market they're selling to. And traditional design is often exploited by large companies who figure out that Ikat or Kuba will sell and they're the ones that end up making the fortune off of it. As designers and artisans, people want to know what they can do with their product to sell it globally. That is true fair trade is when not only the wages and conditions are fair but when the information is equally available. I'm so happy that consumers are becoming more interested in where and how things are made.

6. What makes a Mad Imports item so special?
Most "straw" bags on the market are actually made out of cheap paper by cheap labor. The sustainable sourcing of raffia from Madagascar's remaining forests helps promote conservation. Plus, you know that you have helped reduce poverty for a family in Madagascar when you buy one. But, that's not what's going to draw you to it first. The designs, weaving techniques, colors and materials are really unique. You really won't find anything like them in the market. When you do find real raffia bags their starting retail price is usually $250 and up. Mad Imports bags retail for under $100. A Mad Imports clutch or tote is an affordable accessory that creates a big impact when you're wearing it. Compliments guaranteed. Maybe that should be our motto!

7. Please describe Mad Imports in a Haiku
Island smoked sun tones
Pursed in sea shells' clutches
Concrete runways weave