This is the dark side of fashion: while Indonesia is one of the largest textile producers in the world, less than 2% of workers, the majority of whom are female workers, earn a decent wage.
Denica Riadini-Flesch, who left Indonesia to study development economics in the Netherlands
, "felt guilty about benefiting from this opportunity that the majority of Indonesian women do not have."
In 2016, the economist returned to his native country to create SukkhaCitta (“happiness”): “
These women, who work from home, are the most marginalized people in the global fashion industry, because their work is subcontracted by countless intermediaries,”
she believes.
Now, thanks to her, SukkhaCitta artisans have seen their income increase by an average of 60% by selling the beautiful fabrics they produce directly to customers.
“Farm to Wardrobe
,” these high-quality, artisan-designed garments are available online and through a network of retailers in more than 30 countries.
SukkhaCitta, whose founder has just been awarded a Rolex Entrepreneurship Award, also allows the women who work there to train in crafts and design, and even acquire business and management skills. 'environment.
As young mothers train alongside older, experienced artisans, this mentoring system, which reproduces the transmission of traditional crafts from mother to daughter, contributes to a true social and cultural renaissance.
The premises of Sukkha Citta.
Sébastien Agnetti / Rolex
Additionally, while the fashion industry routinely uses toxic dyes and almost all of Indonesia's cotton is imported, Denica Riadini-Flesch appeals to ancient Indonesian cotton farmers, who remembered how their grandmothers incorporated cotton in the forest ecosystem.
SukkhaCitta began growing its own cotton using regenerative agriculture, mixing cotton plants with 23 other species to maintain biodiversity and restore soil health.
To color the fabrics, the company manufactures and uses natural dyes produced from plants grown by farmers.
“The best part is that it’s not even fancy new technology.
It is local know-how proven for generations in Indonesia.
»
Denica Riadini-Flesch calls on former Indonesian cotton farmers.
Sébastien Agnetti / Rolex
Founded by just three women, SukkhaCitta now works directly with over 400 women artisans and farmers and has, to date, impacted the lives of 1,500 people.
Being part of Rolex's Perpetual Planet Initiative should help it triple the number of schools and offer new perspectives to 10,000 people by 2030.
“Receiving this award will allow us to publicize our model on a larger scale by intervening in schools, but also by digitizing our program to be able to reach more women in Indonesia.
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https://www.sukkhacittA.com/collections/seasonal-collection