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In June 2009, after much dreaming of a life filled with travel, creativity and trying to figure out a way to contribute socially through design, I packed my sketch book, design ideas, some tools and moved from New York City to Marrakech, Morocco.
My plan was to partner with local artisans both women and men to create a fair trade collection of leather handbags and leather belts. I dreamt of highlighting the incredible craftsmanship of these masters of leather, wood, metal and in particular the hand embroideries of the women in the villages. So I immersed myself in the culture and was excited by the thought of how much possibility there was. I immediately knew that this partnership with the community was what I wanted to pursue.
Upon arriving in Marrakech, it was clear that there was an abundance of local talent, yet there still seemed to be an imbalance. It saddened me to know that some of these talents would go unknown as the artisans do not usually have the means to show the world their craft and the younger generation is choosing a different path. It also saddened me to think that people might not have the opportunity to see their beauty and hear their story. With a strong belief in the artisan’s potential to thrive beyond their current marketplace and a passion for Moroccan design and culture, the mission became to take the concept of craft and artisanal goods in a new direction and also share the beauty of their work as well as their story.
All products are handcrafted with thoughtfulness, dedication and attention to detail. Not only is the goal to provide a beautiful and unique fashion accessory, but also to support the local artisan businesses and provide a new platform for artisans to showcase their talents. The female artisans are able to work from home, in an effort to provide additional income, while simultaneously continuing to care for their families. Artisans are encouraged to bring forth ideas in an effort to create a renewed sense of excitement for their craft, and also to highlight all the possibilities awaiting them and their businesses.
I am proud to introduce Danica Cosic Design. My dream is to one day be able to share stories and design collaborations not only from Morocco, all over the world.
