Ghana meets Scotland

A marriage of cultures and craft

The collaboration between ASIGE and International Tartans has been a serendipitous affair, to say the least.

Dorcas and Hazel, the founders behind both organisations, were brought together thanks to the very excellent James Finnie from the International Social Enterprise Observatory (a legend in his own right). Both women have built creative social enterprises that don’t just talk about impact, they live it; delivering training, skills, and most importantly for many, paid employment.

For ASIGE, that means supporting 450+ women in Ghana who produce the most outstanding range of products and accessories woven with elephant grass. For International Tartans (and their sister organisation, ReTweed), it’s around 50 women in the rural South of Scotland using nation state and commemorative tartans as well as upcycled to promote and outward-looking modern Scotland through shared history and heritage. A pretty impressive impact on both sides of the equator.

Social enterprise: it’s not all plaid and corn dollies

It hasn’t been smooth sailing for either ASIGE or International Tartans; social enterprise means you’re always walking that tightrope between doing good and making enough to keep the lights on. The juggle is real. But in that juggling act great resourcefulness and creativity is born. This range of products that combine heritage crafts from both sides of the equator is a testament to that.

Both organisations are driven by the same core goal: to deliver education, skills and well-paid employment that lifts people out of poverty and improves not just their lives, but the wellbeing of their families and the fabric of their wider communities. That sits at the heart of everything they do, and everything they aspire to. Alongside they want to ensure impeccable environmental credentials. Each company spends 10 times longer putting supply chains in place and often has refused goods and services that are not fit for purpose…..Why? Because ethical supply chains are as important to the wider wellbeing of our communities and our planet, as the ethics of our business alone.

They are clear "We’re not going to change the world by holding ourselves to high environmental standards if we’re still relying on unethical goods and services elsewhere in the chain to get our products to customers." The environment is non-negotiable. Neither organisation is here to offer a slightly better version of fast fashion, they’re here to offer a complete alternative.

We are not going to protect the future wellbeing of our planet by only cleaning up our own back yard while still relying on unethical goods and services elsewhere in the chain.

Style and beauty still matters

At the heart of our collaboration is a beautiful mix of heritage, tradition, style and radical creativity. We’ve combined fabrics woven and or printed here in Scotland with the stunning, hand- crafted products made in Ghana. Honestly, what’s not to love?

This isn’t just about woven tartan and woven elephant grass – it’s about celebrating interculturalism, championing traditional heritage skills, and showing the world that cross-cultural collaboration can be top-end style AND socially conscious.

It is a business marriage made in heaven for a better planet earth, and we’re inviting you to be part of it through buying our beautiful products and advocating for ethical retail the world over.

Why it matters?

If you’re someone who wants your purchases to reflect your values – sustainability, empowerment, ethics – then you’re in the right place. By shopping with ASIGE and International Tartans, you’re helping:

  • Provide dignified employment to women in Ghana and Scotland.
  • Preserve and celebrate traditional crafts and skills.
  • ⁠Fight back against fast fashion with something beautiful, bold, and meaningful.

Because it turns out, making the world a better place looks really good in tartan and elephant grass.