Meet the storytellers who change the narrative on Afghanistan through craftsmanship
In Afghanistan, we work with a social enterprise bringing you back to the heart and soul of the ancient Silk Road. The atelier was founded in 2002 with a commitment to women’s empowerment, artisanal craftsmanship, and cultural heritage.



The Story
"Afghanistan should be a place where Afghans can live, and young people are taking part in developing this vision for the future of their country and the planet.”
⁓Samina Ansari, Avyanna diplomacy
In Afghanistan, we work with a social enterprise bringing you back to the heart and soul of the ancient Silk Road. The atelier was founded in 2002 with a commitment to women’s empowerment, artisanal craftsmanship, and cultural heritage.
Twenty years later, the atelier brings together over 25 tailors and 100 home-based female embroiderers and partners with the UN Ethical Fashion Initiative. Artisans with incredible skill and unique stories that inspire.
With our incredibly talented and skilled family in Afghanistan, we created our original Zazi coat. Our coats were uniquely designed and crafted, drawing on our partner’s inspirations from traditional afghan designs and using suzani and Kashmiri embroidery collected along the silk road.
The last years have been a nightmare for our Afghan friends, families and partners on the ground and the Afghan diaspora.
Retraumatizing the existing wounds running through every family. The Afghan crisis is not an Afghan only problem but they have been suffering because their home is used as a field of geopolitical interest. This crisis is our collective responsibility as an international community and defines the very thing that makes us human.
Until the situation becomes clearer, we have decided not to publish any personally identifiable information linked to our work in Afghanistan.
Thank you for understanding.
Let us find hope in solidarity and unity.
⁓ Team Zazi ⁓


Meet more artisanal partners

Asige - Ghana, Bolgatanga
Founded by Dorcas Asige in Ghana, the ASIGE women specialize in basket weaving by hand.

Akané Studio - India, Mumbai
Specialized in natural dyes, the sisters of Akané studio share the colours of nature.

Xinã Raya Bena - Brazil, Amazon
From the Amazon, Brazil the Huni Kuin peoples - Xinã Raya Bena projecttell their story through beadwork.