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Sseko to make lives better

This time I have wonderful news for you. I have a great interview! I do love beautiful and unique clothes but what I do love even more is when clothes I think of are also made by a fine company. It is not a brand I'm talking about now - I'm talking about companies which better than companies, ones with heart and soul. Sseko is one of those companies, company you feel proud wearing. No matter if you heard of them or not this interview would be very interesting for you.



1. Before we get serious what does the term Sseko (pronounced “say-ko”) mean?  
Enseko is the word for Laughter in Luganda.

2. Sseko designs not only lovely pieces, but products with a social mission in mind. Tell us how this idea came to mind? Was there some turning point?
What Sseko has become is somewhat of an accidental result of blind determination. While living in Uganda (I moved there to pursue journalism) I met a group of incredibly talented and ambitious young women who needed economic opportunity in order to continue on to university and pursue their dreams. I knew I was in a certain place in a certain time and that the story of these women would become a part of my story. I didn’t really care too much about how that would take shape. Almost everything about Sseko was born from necessity. We needed to generate income. We had to do something that 18 year old girls could be a part of for a season and then move on to pursue their goals. We had to create something out of the limited materials available in the East African region. After several other ideas (including a chicken farm!) I was reminded of a pair of funky, strappy sandals I had made a few years earlier. I spent a few weeks scouring the country for the materials we needed and trying to learn everything I could about making footwear. I hired three young women and several weeks later, under a mango tree, a sandal company in East Africa was born!


3. What was the first Sseko piece ever designed?
Sseko Sandals! The base of the sandal is made from genuine leather and has five anchor points. The fabric straps are interchangeable, which means you can style them in hundreds of ways and change your straps as often as you change your mood! They are super comfortable and totally versatile. We don’t know of many other sandals you’d wear walking down the aisle and to the grocery store!

4. What are Sseko’s plans for future?


We’ve got lots of dreams and plans for growth! Our primary focus is on continuing to grow our production and employment capacity in Uganda so that we can empower women through educational and economic opportunities. We’re also excited about continuing to grow our product offerings. We want Sseko to occupy the space between typical ‘fair-trade’ goods (that might have a great story but are lacking in market appeal) and mainstream fashion by making beautiful, high-quality on trend goods that are made in a way that positively impacts both the communities that produce and consume those goods. Eventually, we’d like to replicate the Sseko model in different communities of women around the world and have a global impact. As they say in Uganda, “Slowly, slowly” but we’re dreaming BIG!

5. What is the Sseko philosophy?  
The short version: Make beautiful things to provide employment and scholarship opportunities to women pursuing their dreams and overcoming poverty.



6. A little survey for Inside and Outside blog: some say talented kids in fashion usually try to make their toys look better (repainting for example) did you do something like that? And if you did then what?

The initial design of the sandal, like most parts of our story it was a bit of any accident. Years earlier, I had made a pair of sandals out of flip-flop bottoms and some vintage ribbon I had lying around. I loved them because they were kind of funky and super comfortable. Every time I wore them, someone would ask me about them. At the time I just laughed and told them that I made them sitting on the floor of my friend’s apartment one night. Many moons later, while training to brainstorm things we could make in Uganda, a friend who had seen the sandals asked me if those could be something we could make. And the rest is history! You never know how the seemingly insignificant moments in our life can set you on an entirely different trajectory—of course, until they do!


Have a nice day,
Lyosha

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Comments

  1. great post and photos:)
    swiatwkolorzeblond.com

    ReplyDelete
  2. Such a great and empowering post!

    Thanks for sharing!

    ReplyDelete
  3. I havent heard of this company before but for sure is so great and to admire. Hope it got all the success it deserves, nice reading and interview! xo

    ReplyDelete
  4. Such a great company i did not heard about them before, thanks for sharing!!! ;) xo
    http://stylesensemoments.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
  5. Interesting post they should be praise.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Interesting post, great pics!!!
    Keep smiling!
    Kisses, Paola.

    Expressyourself

    My Facebook

    ReplyDelete
  7. hi darling, very beautiful pics
    I wish you an happy day
    http://tr3ndygirl.com

    ReplyDelete
  8. Wow what a cool sandals, ncie post!

    www.ismurfshion.com

    ReplyDelete
  9. follow yoy on GFC , now i'm waiting for you
    nice blog dear
    http://unconventionalsecrets.blogspot.it/

    ReplyDelete
  10. Very interesting post!!
    Like the sandals!
    Have a lovely day!
    Dimi...

    ReplyDelete
  11. Great post and lovely pictures as always! Great shoes! XD http://prinslooandco.blogspot.co.uk/

    ReplyDelete
  12. Great post!!! nice photos!!!
    Have a good week!!! and my g+ for you!!!:)))

    Besos, desde España, Marcela♥

    ReplyDelete
  13. Never heaed before about this company..wish all rhe best work and congrats

    Ciao

    ReplyDelete
  14. they are doing such amazing work.
    great post
    would you like to follow eachother?
    following you on gfc now:)
    http://www.modefort.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  15. It's awesome that they improve people's lifes with fashion. I checked the site out :D

    xx glamdevils.com / miradevils.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  16. Wonderful post. ^^
    Have a nice Friday...

    ReplyDelete
  17. Great photos

    New post in
    Www.miharujulie.com

    ReplyDelete
  18. This is fantastic doll, love it!! I hope you have a marvellous weekend :) Xxx

    ReplyDelete
  19. it's beautiful
    www.mrsnoone.it
    kiss

    ReplyDelete

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Thank you so much for taking time and leaving me a message! You are making me so happy! I promise to do the same thing for you.
xx
Lyosha

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