One person’s choice to make a difference inspires another; it’s the multiply effect.
Pronounced “multiply” – this is a company whose collection is as beautiful as its impact.
The collection is designed in Portland, Maine and then forged by fair-wage artisans using techniques native to Nepal. Each piece is uniquely made by hand and is equally inspired by modern shapes as it is by age-old techniques.
The heart behind mulxiply is that one person’s choice to make a difference inspires another; it’s the multiply effect. One purchase supports a team of artisans in Nepal which then contributes to the family, and soon enough, it strengthens an entire community.
“Beauty is intrinsic to this country, not only in its proximity to the expansive Himalayas, but with its heritage of woven textiles, metalwork and wood-carving. While it is heart-breaking to see the fall-out corruption has reaped on this country, it is also in places like Nepal where hope and possibility are far-reaching.”
Why Nepal?
Choosing Nepal wasn’t a random choice. While it is a country full of mountainous backdrops and hospital, hard-working people, it is also a place where half of its citizens are living below the poverty line. Among these Nepalis, the average pay is $1.25 per day.
Amidst a harsh political climate, civil rights issues and recurring natural disasters, Nepal is also experiencing a spike of urbanization that is causing poverty to rise and job availability to drop. As a result, there is a large movement of Nepali men leaving the country for elsewhere.
“While it may provide a salary, this is a scheme that takes men away from their families for months at a time, hijacks their passports and convinces them that their meager salary is worth the trade. Just like the fast-fashion garment industry, wealthy opportunists are building fake empires on the bones of the poor. With this understanding, MULXIPLY has broadened its mission to providing dignified work for men and women alike. A successful society cannot be built without equal opportunity and respect for both.”
For more information about Nepal, read this.
“Our design process is a collaborative experience that evolves over conversations about what we like, what we see trending in the marketplace and what can actually be made in Nepal. We sketch ideas, play with patterns, send emails, sew samples and source hardware.”
Behind every piece of jewelry is a process and for Mulxiply, it looks much different than your average jewlerer.
A collection evolves over conversations about what they like, what they see trending in the marketplace and what can actually be made in Nepal. The company strives to use material native to Nepal but since some quality hardware is hard to find, these parts are either shipped or hand-carried to Nepal. Their hope is that at some point, every element of their pieces will be made in Nepal.
After 2-4 months of refining the design, a sample collection is made within 2-4 months. The owners behind Mulxiply spend 4-8 weeks each year in Nepal to spend time with the artisans during this development process.
“Our favorite part of this venture is ultimately meeting the artisans, learning about their lives and working alongside them. It’s so very different from our daily lives, it’s both humbling and inspiring to hear about what they must overcome on a daily basis. They know so much more about how things can be done than we do. Being knee-deep in their creative process is a joy that there are really no words for.”
I could share a lot more about this community but my hope is that you will head over to Muxiply and read more for yourself. And with that, I leave you with something Tanja, one of the founders, shared back in 2016:
“…the revolution has already started. And it’s based on something really unlikely.
Beauty.
Let me explain. Societies thrive when people feel secure. People feel secure when their basic needs are met and are provided (or create) opportunities that are dignified, gainful, and life-giving. Opportunities as such are scarce in Nepal. Less than half the population are educated. Those with higher education, often leave the country. Understandably, few return. But, those that have stayed in-country or have returned and are investing in grassroots, long-term ideas, are quietly rebuilding Nepal from the inside out—with creativity, diligence and determination. While none of them are politicians, they are the makers of change. They are the leaders of the quiet revolution. And their energy is intense and contagious.
How is beauty revolutionary? Because beauty is inspirational, it has staying power. What motivates people to come to Nepal? Besides the Himalayas, tourists come to see the ancient temples, palaces and monasteries built exquisitely by artisans that are masters of their craft. Without artists, there is no art, no heritage sites, no tourist attractions. Simply put, when beauty is tangibly translated into art, design and architecture it becomes a quantifiable business that creates jobs. Jobs that employ artisans. Jobs that are contributing to stabilizing the local and global economy. It’s slow capitalism in action. And it’s working.”
Be a part of the change and shop Mulxiply’s collection here.
