Margarita Andrade and Dragonfly Gallagher created Malaika in 2000, out of a combined passion for textiles and embroidery, and along with a desire to contribute to the local society in Egypt.
"At Malaika, we believe that social responsibility and the manufacturing of luxury goods must go hand in hand. We care for our product as well as for the individual that participates in its creation."
Now, that determination and focus has resulted in sales that span the U.K., Japan, Europe, as well as the Middle East.
The Malaika Philosophy
Authentic Luxury
Malaika has developed a range of luxury cotton bed linens that are simple and beautiful for your everyday use. All Malaika products are hand made using the finest Egyptian cotton, for incredible softness and crisp purity. What's more, every Malaika item is hand-finished and beautifully hand embroidered with designs and colours that are elegant and contemporary. In fact, so much time and individuality goes into creating every item that it's fair to say 'when you buy Malaika you're buying a small piece of art'.
Social Responsibility
The Malaika concept illustrates that luxury brands and social responsibility can go hand in hand.
"Our model grew from a simple idea: every woman, regardless of age, background or literacy, can learn to sew. Today, dozens of underprivileged women, from rural and urban Egypt, come to Malaika's workshop, to learn embroidery techniques. Once proficient, the women leave our workshop and return to work from home, making way for more women to be trained on our premises. Most have never held a needle before they come to us."
"At Malaika, we are proud to have created a model that empowers women to take charge of their economic futures without breaking social norms: because our women work from home, they can generate an income - and make a difference - without disrupting traditional family patterns and cultural expectations. What's more, the Malaika model is a flexible one that brings out the strengths of each individual woman: that means each Malaika product is a small work of art, created between people, in a dynamic, fluid and creative process."
To exemplify Malaika's dedication to social responsibility, they have just applied for UNIFEM status. UNIFEM provides financial and technical assistance to innovative programs and strategies to foster women's empowerment and gender equality. Malaika pays higher than average wages to their embroiderers. A team of women that represent the embroiderers determine their own embroidery piece work rates.
Malaika's Business Practices
Malaika has a dedicated and experienced management team that prides itself on fastidious quality control. The standards at Malaika are equal to the highest in the world for fabric inspection, workmanship and finishing. With new state of the art equipment, Malaika's workrooms are humming with efficient productivity.
The design team is constantly exploring new fabrics and embroidery techniques, as well as researching colour and design trends.
Malaika has embarked on ISO 9002 certification and will be completing the qualifications this year.
©2007 Luxe Brands International Inc. All rights reserved.
Bedroom design by Joanne Watson, Stylist and Interior Designer.
Product photography by John Trigiani Photography.
Site design by Jackie Siddall | Graphic & Information Design.